High-energy
The Native Treasures Art Market returns May 23 and 24 for a weekend of exploring and enjoying Native art.
SANTA FE
The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture’s Native Treasures Art Market brings to Santa Fe a massive celebration of Native art. Elevating more than 200 artists from tribes across the country, the yearly Memorial Day Weekend event presents jewelry, pottery, sculpture, two-dimensional art, fashion, carvings, basketry, beadwork and textiles. Seasoned collectors and casual visitors can explore works from artists like Terran Last Gun, Angie Yazzie, Randy Chitto, Autumn Borts-medlock, Sean Rising Sun Flanagan, Del Curfman, Upton Greyshoes Ethelbah Jr. and many others.
“The MIAC 2020 Native Treasures Art Market is going to be one of the best years so far,” says MIAC director Della Warrior. “Because the show focuses on featuring the work of outstanding artists in a relatively small setting, visitors will have the opportunity to engage with the artists or to catch up with the artists whose artwork they collect,” she says. “Native Treasures is a great time to buy incredible art, but to also know that you are helping support Native artists as well as MIAC.”
The 2020 Native Treasures Living Treasure is Jemez artist Kathleen Wall, who works in both paint and sculpture. “It’s an extreme honor...i’m a fan of everyone who has received the award,” says Wall, with previous winners of the award being such respected names as Jody Naranjo, Dan Namingha and Tony Abeyta. “I strive to be as productive as an artist as I can and...it’s just an amazing situation that I never expected to happen.” Wall describes how she views
and approaches her artwork: “I express myself in a few different ways. I paint, I make sculptures, I make whimsical Koshare. My art, for me, is just my voice, my signature. It’s not something I feel I have a lot of control over. My voice just comes out, and it’s nothing like I imagined.”
Acoma sculptor Prudy Correa creates playful sculptures that blend tradition with often more contemporary themes. For instance, her clay piece Mother/daughter texting captures a small child sitting atop her mother’s lap, holding a cell phone. “I enjoy working with different clay bodies...i would help my grandmother gather her clay and paints, and it’s those wonderful memories that I feel so grateful to have carried on my tradition of pottery making.”
Also included in this year’s market is Santa Clara potter Tammy Garcia, who brings several bronze pots. “Agriculture is an important activity for the Pueblo people. Farms were planted along the Santa Clara Creek. The perfect ears of corn were set aside and used in the ceremonial dances...growing up in Santa Clara Pueblo I got to see these dances performed throughout the year. A large feast was also prepared to feed family and friends. I have fond memories of eating my grandmother’s red chile stew and washing dishes with