Diverse Arts
The beauty of a category such as diverse arts is that you’re never entirely sure what you’re going to see. And while the category has a rich and diverse selection of artists who compete in only the arena of diverse arts, there are dozens of artists from neighboring categories—including beadwork and quillwork, sculpture, textiles and jewelry—that create works that fall into this broader collection of materials. It truly is an eclectic and robust field of creativity that includes works that don’t quite fit in anywhere else, but also works that combine multiple crafts, skills, materials and areas of expertise.
Oglala Lakota artist Kevin Pourier not only won this category at the 2018 Santa Fe Indian Market, he also won the best of show as well, which elevated the category above the fray that can surround a market that has more than 1,000 artists showing work. “Winning top award at Santa Fe Indian Market is a life-long dream. This honor is something I could not have imagined when I began attending in 1997. I am amazed at the creativity and beauty that arrives from Indian country,” Pourier says. “I believe these creations reflect the beauty of our ways. Santa Fe Indian Market is a place to expand your mind and ideas of what Native art is and the possibilities of what it can be.”
“Our woman’s buckskin dresses are symbolic of…the spiritual connection to our traditional dresses and our Lakota women. I am excited to [show] Snow-on-her, a beaded portrait of a dress inspired by the wife of our Hunkpapa Lakota leader Sitting Bull. There has never been a more meaningful time to honor our women than now.”
“Courting Bluebirds is a cross-body bag with a bias woven strap featuring quillwork, beadwork and tufting on brain-tanned buckskin…every year I look forward to the challenge of bringing something new to Santa Fe Indian Market. This years’ SWAIA offerings from me are all about telling a story. My pieces are a lens to see my journey around the planet, learning through history and the view from my back yard.”
“This year I will be bringing traditional Pueblo-style drums using aspen logs, cow rawhide prepared using traditional chemical-free methods and leather handles—unpainted, or ready to be painted if requested. I never met my grandfather, Santiago (Jim) Herrera. By maintaining the quality and craftsmanship of his drums in my own work I am able to maintain a connection with him and continue to ask him for strength and guidance in my endeavors.”
“I’m blessed to come from a long lineage of beadworkers and quillworkers. I’m equally fortunate to be a part of three-generations of traditional women artists that show at Indian Market every year. The work I’m bringing this year celebrates this history. I always look forward to seeing the youth artists and their excitement about the work they’ve produced. It is through the younger ones that our cultural knowledge will live on.”
“I'm bringing in new work that has been swirling inside of me for awhile. I’m always looking forward to Santa Fe Indian Market. This year I will have new cradleboards and a few surprises.”
“I’m always thrilled and thankful to showcase my work at Santa Fe Indian Market. To be a Diné woman who handcrafts cowboy hats with my Native influence is unique in itself, but to have a venue where the sky is the limit to explore and express my creativity is thrilling for me! And the people, where else can you go to meet the world!? I’m excited to see my fellow artists who are now my family and the clients who appreciate the time, effort and love we as artist put into each piece. I can’t wait! As far as new work goes, I’m always reaching for those stars. This year’s collection will have more beading, vibrant hat colors, with big brim and low profile crowns.”