Every August, approximately 800 Native American artists from across North America gather on the historic Santa Fe Plaza for Santa Fe Indian Market, a celebration of Native art, heritage, and culture. And this August 2022, Indian Market celebrates its 100th anniversary!
Produced by Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, whose mission is "bringing Native arts to the world by inspiring artistic excellence, fostering education, and creating meaningful partnerships,” Indian Market is the largest and most prestigious juried Indian art market in the world. Native American artisans and their work are the main draw, but there is far more going on than just great shopping! Make your Indian Market experience a robust one. Events run Wednesday, August 17 through Sunday, August 21, and some are ticketed.
Shopping Saturday and Sunday on the Plaza
1. The Art
The 800 or so juried artists hail from more than 250 Nations in the US and Canada and from a long lineage of traditional arts and teaching. Because the Indian Market artist application process requires adherence to strict guidelines on production and materials, you can expect high-quality authentic pieces in a variety of juried mediums, including pottery, basketry, jewelry, painting, sculpture, wood carvings, and textiles. The Saturday and Sunday markets are free and open to all on the Plaza from 8 am to 5 pm.
Native hoop dancer performs on the Plaza during Indian Market's weekend entertainment
2. Native Performances on the Historic Santa Fe Plaza
During the Saturday and Sunday markets, take a moment to pause from your browsing and enjoy the music, dances, comedy, and storytelling shared by Native American performers on the historic Plaza's gazebo. Free to all!
Best of Show and Best of Classification art at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center (Daniel Nadelbach Photography for SWAIA)
3. Friday's Best of Show and Classification Ceremony and Luncheon
Sponsored by JoAnn and Bob Balzer and celebrating the top artists of the year in all 10 juried market categories, this exclusive, SWAIA members-only event begins at 11 am with an awards ceremony for Best of Classification winners and the Best of Show winner. (Don't be left out—it's easy to become a member!) You will glimpse a stunning preview of the year’s entries from all classifications. The ceremony is followed by a luncheon for Best of Show and Best of Classification winners, their guests, and ticket holders, sponsored by the Institute of American Indian Arts in the Santa Fe Community Convention Center courtyard. Click here for tickets.
Award-winning Native artwork on view in advance of the weekend markets (Daniel Nadelbach Photography for SWAIA)
4. Friday's Sneak Peek and General Preview of Award-Winning Art
Friday afternoon (from 2 to 4 pm), members get an opportunity to see the best of Indian Market art after the Best of Show Awards ceremony. From 4 to 6 pm, it's the public's first opportunity to see this award-winning art during the General Preview. Both opportunities take place in advance of the Saturday and Sunday markets. Click here for tickets.
Gala at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center (Photo by Shayla Blatchford)
5. Saturday's SWAIA Gala Reception, Fashion Show, and Live & Silent Auctions
The SWAIA Gala, celebrating the Santa Fe Indian Market's Centennial, takes place in the Santa Fe Community Convention Center and is your chance to bid on some of the most sought-after pieces of the Market. The Saturday evening event and cocktail soirée begins with a silent auction. It will also feature new collections from select Indigenous fashion designers and an exclusive live auction offering. Click here for tickets.
Models showcasing Indigenous fashion designer Lauren Good Day's fashion (Tira Howard Photography)
6. Sunday's Indigenous Fashion Show and Trunk Show
The annual Indigenous Fashion Show showcases cutting-edge collections from some of best North American Indigenous fashion designers. Immediately following the show, ticket holders are treated to an exclusive shopping opportunity in which they can buy and order directly from the designers. For more information, read our recent blog, The Art of Indigenous Fashion at Santa Fe Indian Market. This is a ticketed afternoon event at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, beginning Sunday at 3 pm. Click here for tickets.
Indigenous food vendors sell traditional specialty foods
7. Native Food Vendors
A visit to Indian Market would not be complete without sampling some of the amazing Native American homemade cuisine. Enjoy a variety of traditional specialties such as Indian Fry Bread, Frito Pies, roasted corn on the cob, turkey legs, Pueblo stews, and more!
Find wonderful Native art in a variety of locations on Indian Market weekend (Tira Howard Photography)
8. Other Opportunities to Enjoy Native Arts and Culture
Naturally, the allure of Santa Fe Indian Market also attracts several other Indigenous shows. You can find free, open-to-the-public displays of Indigenous art in a variety of galleries and pop-up style shows. For more unique Native art, visit the nearly 600 artisans at Free Indian Market, which is hosted outside at the Federal Courthouse park on Paseo de Peralta and the Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival, held at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino. Also, the Institute of American Indian Art's Museum of Contemporary Native Arts is free August 20 and 21, and hosts many related events, including the 2022 IAIA Recent Graduate Art Market, held under the museum's portal on Saturday and Sunday.
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