Welcome Letter from Josef Díaz Spanish Colonial Arts Society Staff and Board

Hispanic culture is alive on the Santa Fe Plaza and at theMuseum of Spanish Colonial Art on Museum Hill. The art you have the opportunity to see at each booth is created by some of the most talented Hispanic artists in the country. Take a moment to visit with the artists, as they take great pride in sharing their knowledge of the traditional arts. The historic heritage represented by the art shown at Spanish Market runs deeply into the fabric of New Mexico culture. Each piece is handmade, and many techniques have been passed down through the generations. The artists use their knowledge, talent and skill to create one-of-a-kind pieces that you can admire at their booths. And by supporting an artist with a purchase, you and your family can enjoy the artwork for many years. Commissions for very personal pieces are welcomed by artists.

The economics of Spanish Market are significant for Santa Fe. For most of our artists, who are in reality small business owners, this is their major opportunity to sell each year, and for many families these sales are vital. The annual economic impact of this market is around $9 million in lodging and $25 million to the city of Santa Fe as a whole. It is important to note that of the 70,000 annual marketgoers, nearly half are from out of town or out of state, and nearly half of these people say that Spanish Market is the reason for their visit to our city.

Presenting Spanish Market is not all the Spanish Colonial Arts Society does. The society also operates the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art as well as an education series.

The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art is the only museum in the country dedicated to exhibiting and interpreting the art of the Spanish colonial period with a focus on Hispanic New Mexico. The museum houses an incredible collection of more than 4,500 pieces, including historically significant and contemporary works. The building itself, a Spanish/Pueblo revival-style structure, was designed by renowned architect John Gaw Meem in 1930. Meem and his wife were early supporters of the society and donated hundreds of items to the collection. The building provides an intimate, homelike setting where visitors can view the collections and learn the fascinating history of Spanish colonial art worldwide.

The museum also offers art outreach programs for children in local schools and at the museum itself, as well as lectures for adults. Please join the museum at our tent during Spanish Market or visit us online at spanishcolonial.org to learn about all the membership benefits.

The museum offers an array of exhibits for all ages. La Casa Delgado (The Delgado Room) re-creates a late colonial New Mexican room based on the estate inventory of merchant and Spanish army captain Manuel Delgado. Each item in the room was mentioned in his will, and the details let you step back in time. Some items are more than 200 years old.

GenNext: Future So Bright examines the future of New Mexico’s traditional arts, including work made with traditional materials or inspired by historical techniques. Each artist is rooted in tradition but has introduced unique elements, such as indigenous imagery, political themes and new materials like street signs and stencils.

We give thanks to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe for a special Mass at 8:00 a.m. Sunday, where artists are encouraged to bring a piece of art for a blessing by the archbishop. Please join the artists at Mass and in the procession to the Plaza that follows.

Thank you for attending the 2018 Spanish Market and celebrating the Hispanic artistic legacy of New Mexico with the artists, Spanish Colonial Arts Society staff and more than 200 volunteers. Your support allows this legacy to continue.

Josef Díaz, Acting Director and Chief Curator Spanish Colonial Arts Society