Native art markets
Meet your Native artist heroes in person. See artworks in the round, not inside glass cases. Art markets offer unparalleled access and opportunities to learn about styles, techniques and so much more, and you can ask questions directly to master, mid-career and emerging artists. Indoors and outdoors, your market experiences are enriched by music, dancing, storytelling, fashion shows and Indigenous foods for a complete sensory immersion that no computer screen can replace.
This year sees the return of SWAIA’s Santa Fe Indian Market, the Institute of American Indian Arts’ recent graduate art market and Free Indian Market. It also heralds the launch of two new markets: the Wheelwright Art Market and the Pathways Native Arts Festival. So art lovers will have more ways than ever to find the perfect works to add to their collections.
Free Indian Market
Saturday, Aug. 21, and Sunday, Aug. 22
8 am-5 pm Scottish Rite Temple
463 Paseo de Peralta
Federal Park, Washington Avenue and South Federal Place
505-670-5918; facebook.com/ FreeIndianMarketShow
The mission of Free Indian Market is “to honor and support Indian Market Elders and other Master Artists, and their families.” Many of the artists have won top prizes and lifetime achievement honors. Some have been named living treasures. Founded in 2018 by Greg and Angie Schaaf, this two-day market includes live entertainment, a fashion show, artist booths and a benefit silent auction from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
The 12th annual Sacred Native Fashion Show, organized by Troi Lynn Whitethorne (Navajo), takes place at the market on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon features musical performances by Grammy winner Joanne Shenandoah (Oneida) and by Indigie Femme, a folk duo featuring Tash Terry (Navajo) and Elena Higgins (Māori/Samoan). On Sunday morning, the Lightning Boy Hoop Dancers, organized by Steve LaRance (Hopi/Assiniboine), share their culturally rich, challenging dances.
“Kudos to Dr. Greg Schaaf and his beautiful wife for [arranging] the market,” says jeweler Connie Tsosie-Gaussoin (Picuris/Navajo). “To score the Federal Park for us. It’s a beautiful place.”
Wheelwright Artists Market
Friday, Aug. 20 and Saturday, Aug. 21 8 am-4 pm Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
704 Camino Lejo 505-982-4636; wheelwright.org
The Case Trading Post hosts an outdoor artist market at its museum campus. The invitational features Gail Bird (Kewa/Laguna Pueblo), Cippy and Waddie Crazy Horse (both Cochiti Pueblo), Shawn Deel (Hopi), Felicia Fragua (Jemez), Benjamin Harjo Jr. (Absentee Shawnee/ Seminole), Yazzie Johnson (Navajo), Devan Kicknosway (Potawatomi/Mohawk), Raynard Lalo (Hopi), Elizabeth Manygoats (Navajo), Ryan Morgan (Navajo), Shelden Nuñez-Velarde (Jicarilla Apache), Shanna Patterson (Hopi), Perry Shorty (Navajo), Quaid Shorty (Navajo), Deanna Tenorio (Kewa) and Lyndon Tsosie (Navajo). The Mas Chile food truck provides Mexican comfort food and all things chile. Market access is free.
Case Trading Post manager Ken Williams (Northern Arapaho/Seneca) personally selected the artists for the market. “He’s a darn good curator. They will all be quality artists in the market and Case Trading Post,” says Benjamin Harjo Jr. “This is very small compared to everything else, and it’s invitational,” says Gail Bird. “It will be quieter probably.” But the intimate setting gives collectors a great opportunity to visit with the artists and see amazing jewelry, ceramics, textiles and other incredible works.