Nurturing narratives
We Are the Seeds puts on a social
Santa Fe Indian Market is the pinnacle of traditional indigenous art festivals in Santa Fe — with almost 100 years of history behind its reputation for high-quality Native-made wares — then consider We Are the Seeds its younger, punk-rock cousin. Seeds, as it is called for short, is Friday, Aug. 16, and Saturday, Aug. 17, in the Railyard Park. Now in its second year, Seeds is a free festival where artists come from around the country to sell their work, hang out for a couple of days, talk to locals, see family, and reconnect with friends they’ve met at other markets over the years. There is space for everyone at Seeds, from elders with armloads of awards to younger artists whose work ranges from traditional to fine art, or exists somewhere in between.
Far more than just an art market, Seeds also features live music, art-making demonstrations, a spokenword workshop for Native women, activities for kids, a fashion show, and a Thursday-night social dinner and dance. Tailinh Agoyo (Narragansett/Blackfeet/ Chinese), co-director of Seeds, and emcee Sherenté Harris (Narrangansett) lead the dances, for which participants do not have to be in regalia. The evening event is free of charge and includes a silent auction of artwork as well as a $20-per-plate dinner catered by Jambo Café, proceeds from which benefit We Are the Seeds of Culture Trust. The Herrera Singers from Cochiti Pueblo will drum and sing.
“A social is when we come together to share and enjoy dances, songs, and food. At Seeds, we’ll be inviting visitors to join in our celebration,” Agoyo said. “To me, Thursday evening feels like a beautiful, festive, and inclusive community celebration. We will not be performing for an audience; rather, we will be inviting guests to share and celebrate our culture with us.” Among approximately 60 artists showing at Seeds are numerous jewelers, including Margaret Jacobs (St. Regis Mohawk), Tchin (Narragansett/ Blackfoot), Nanibaa Beck (Navajo), and Kristen Dorsey (Chickasaw). Painters include Brent Greenwood (Chickasaw/Ponca), Robert Martinez (Northern Arapaho), and Baje Whitethorne Sr. (Navajo).
There are also potters, printmakers, photographers, and graphic designers, as well as fashion designers working in everything from haute couture to street styles. Designer Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo), heads up the fashion show component of Seeds for the second time. This year’s theme is “Her Empowerment, Our Legacy.” Seven designers, including Aragon, have created garments using nontraditional materials; they will collaborate with Seeds artists in their booths to embellish and style the pieces prior to the fashion show on Friday afternoon.
“Artists are looking at using aluminum cans, plastic bags, pieces of wood,” Aragon said. “We want them to produce something totally different and off the wall. We’re encouraging them to go big or go home.”
Aragon’s company, ACONAV, is named for the cross-cultural collaboration he shares with his wife, Valentina, who is Navajo. In 2015 Aragon participated in New York Fashion Week for the first time, and in 2017 he was named Phoenix Fashion Week Designer of the Year — the first Native American fashion designer to earn that recognition in the history of the event. On June 30, ACONAV debuted a design at the opening of Creating Traditions: Innovation & Change in Native American Art at the American Adventures Gallery at Disney’s Epcot Center. The dress was inspired by Acoma Pueblo
(ceramic pots). The other designers are Jolonzo Goldtooth (Navajo) of JG Indie, who creates urban styles, and a young Navajo designer named Sabrina Seaton. Mae Mallahan (Navajo) takes inspiration from Navajo basket design and weaving. Josie Seymour (Laguna Pueblo) has not only designed a dress for the fashion
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