Help preserve culture with new, free market

There will be 68 world-famous Native artists attending.

The New Mexican (“Art, impact and global culture,” Our View, July 8), in its coverage of the International Folk Art Market, praised the “everpresent goal of the International Folk Art Market, to provide a place and a way for people who want to preserve their culture and tradition to continue doing so.”

Supporters of traditional Pueblo artists who have been ejected from the upcoming Southwestern Association for Indian Arts’ Santa Fe Indian Market also feel that passion to preserve the artists’ ancient cultures and traditions. That is why so many of us are supporting a new market for famous traditional artists, called the Free Indian Market Show.

This incredible market will take place on Indian Market weekend, Aug. 18-19. It will be held at the beautiful, fully restored Scottish Rite Masonic Center, located on Paseo de Peralta and Washington Avenue. This exquisite venue is airconditioned and is a treasure in Santa Fe.

There will be 68 world-famous Native artists attending. Included are such names as Lonnie Vigil, a best of show Indian Market winner; Robert Tenorio, who has more blue ribbons than any living traditional potter; Barbara Gonzales, granddaughter of Maria Martinez; famous kachina carver Manfred Susunkewa; and Robert Lewis Tenorio, Kewa Pueblo jeweler. Almost all New Mexican pueblos will be represented, as well as famous Navajo and Apache artists.

This exclusive event is free to the public and free for the artists. The show includes representatives of 44 families who founded and developed the Indian Market, such as the families of Maria Martinez, Lucy Lewis and Margaret Tafoya. The business community has come out in full support of this fabulous market. Ortega on the Plaza has made a substantial donation, as has Malouf on the Plaza. For the silent auction, Rainbow Man has donated an antique Edward Curtis photogravure. Charles King Gallery has donated a beautiful pot by Linda Tafoya Oyenque. The Allan Houser Gallery has put a signed lithograph into the auction. Dan Namingha and Arlo Namingha have donated their art, as has Kevin Redstar. I have put in pottery by Robert Tenorio, Barbara Gonzales and Warren Coriz. There will be donated antique baskets and kachinas and turquoise jewelry.

This show features an extraordinary collection of awardwinning traditional Native artists who want to continue their centuries-old arts, done in the ways of their ancestors. Please come out and experience their joy, their talent and their enthusiasm for this terrific new venue for Native award-winning work. These artists will be happy to describe how they create their art the way it has been done for hundreds of years. See you there.