2018 BEST OF CLASSIFICATION AWARDS

One exciting aspect of Santa Fe Indian Market is artwork that features an ever-growing range of materials, natural and human-made, in an equally diverse array of techniques. The 2018 Best of Classification winners reflect that diversity. Best of Show winner Kevin Pourier (Classification VII: Diverse Arts), for example, used a Plains Indian art form — crushed stone inlay — that predates European contact to depict living Native women activists. Honoring Indigenous art forms, Farrell Pacheco (Classification I: Jewelry) carries on the Kewa Pueblo legacy of heishi carving by hand. Nancy Youngblood (Classification II: Pottery) has perfected classic Santa Clara pottery, and Nellie Shorty Begay’s passion is re-creating 19th-century-style second-phase chief’s blankets (Classification VI: Textiles). Mavasta Honyouti (Classification IV: Wooden Pueblo Figurative Carvings & Sculpture) is rooted in Hopi culture and carving techniques, but rather than focusing on a singular katsina figure, he depicts complex stories of Hopi life. Jeremy Frey (Classification XI: Basketry) pushes Northeastern Woodlands ash basketry to the limit with his own innovations. Dallin Maybee’s award-winning piece (Classification VIII: Beadwork and Quillwork) infuses powwwow dance regalia with elements of Japanese armor. Cara Romero (Classification III: Paintings, Drawings, Graphics & Photography) works in the technologically based medium of photography, and her award-winning piece depicts a 21st-century American Indian subculture. Terresa White’s sleek bronze sculpture, on the other hand, portrays her interpretation of a Native Alaskan immortal existing outside of time (Classification V: Sculpture). These outstanding artists provide a glimpse into an astounding array of work. One can only imagine what will be on display at this year’s market.