Santa Fe is well known for annual summer art markets. From folk art to Native American art to contemporary art and even antique art, you can find it all in Santa Fe throughout the summer months. But have you attended the Contemporary Hispanic Market? In 2024, it is scheduled for July 27 and 28 on the historic Santa Fe Plaza on Lincoln Avenue.
Artist Mark Padilla, located in booth 3, stone sculpture. (Photo courtesy of Contemporary Hispanic Market)
Prepared to celebrate its 38th year, the Contemporary Hispanic Market has once again hand selected artists to participate in the juried art show that is held each July in the cultural heart of Santa Fe. To be considered for the market, artists are required to be part Hispanic and a full-time resident of New Mexico. Find traditional carvings of wood or stones peppered along the rows of booths, and individual expression in the mediums of painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, furniture, jewelry, ceramics, weaving, and more.
When asked what makes this market unique, Ramona Vigil-Eastwood, president of the Contemporary Hispanic Market (whose award-winning jewelry is found at booth 1), said, “The art is created in New Mexico by Hispanics. It’s just one crucial way to keep the bones of traditional arts alive through ancestry. Yet, Hispanic artists have the freedom of expression to create art that stays current with the evolution of art.”
The Contemporary Hispanic Market occurs adjacent to the Traditional Spanish Market, which is also traditionally held on this weekend, July 27 and 28. The side-by-side market locations makes it easy for visitors to take in hundreds of booths of art ranging from cutting edge contemporary techniques to centuries old traditional styles.
As soon as the Contemporary Hispanic Market opens on Saturday morning, art enthusiasts, whether they are casual or serious collectors, fill the Plaza. Some attendees travel each year from out of state and other countries in hopes of finding the perfect art piece to buy directly from the artist and take away with them in hand. Some artists have such great followings that they might sell out within the first day of the art show.
The Contemporary Hispanic Market is 100% volunteer organized by a group who meets once a month year round in order to plan the art show. Tony Fernandez, vice president of the market (whose oil painting are found at booth 24), said, “There are a couple things about the volunteers of our market; we are passionate about the arts and we feel just like family.”
The market is free to the public and in 2024 there will be more than 100 booths with many mediums of artwork created by New Mexico Hispanic resident artists. Each year there is a silent auction at the information booth featuring donated creations from current artists of the show. Make sure to stop by and place your bid in support of the event.
This blog was written in partnership with TOURISM Santa Fe, and Sarah Love and Ramona Vigil-Eastwood for the Contemporary Hispanic Market.
Now that you know a bit more about one of the summer art markets in Santa Fe, we hope you will plan a trip to check it out for yourself. Get a taste of The City Different! Order your Official Santa Fe Visitors Guide now or browse our deals and specials to help you plan your next trip to Santa Fe.
