Indian Market is the largest juried Native art show in the world and the largest cultural event in the Southwest. This year’s market will feature more than 1,000 artists who will exhibit a wide variety of artistic media from traditional weavings and basketry to exquisite jewelry and pottery. Two-dimensional art forms like painting and sculpture are represented alongside bead and quillwork and other diverse arts.

“At Santa Fe Indian Market, we are not just promoting and selling art, we are unfolding the history and legacy of Native traditions and cultures, while recognizing contemporary growth and evolution,” said Dallin Maybee, SWAIA’s Chief Operating Officer. “Santa Fe Indian Market allows you to immerse yourself in a rich, sacred cultural experience. It is a place to embrace diversity, creativity, living traditions and a warm sense of family.”

This year, Santa Fe Indian Market has added a new contemporary show to the mix: Indian Market Edge will run concurrently with Indian Market at the Santa Fe Convention Center. Indian Market Edge embraces Chief Operating Officer, Dallin Maybee’s vision of Santa Fe Indian Market “as a living and breathing culture” adding that, “the show will add to the scope and mission of the event to include contemporary art forms that do not fit into the traditional Santa Fe Indian Market categories.”

The three-day event begins August 19 in Santa Fe with the Kick Off Dance Party sponsored by Native People’s Magazine at The Santa Fe Convention Center beginning at 8:00 p.m. Some 150,000 people are expected to attend the weekend market. Here are some things to know:

WORLD CLASS ARTISTS

With a mission to bring Native arts to the world by inspiring artistic excellence, fostering education, and creating meaningful partnerships, Santa Fe Indian Market’s juried approach to curating the market ensures the 1,000 artisans from across the United States and Canada are the best in class and are showing with other award winning artists. Since 1922, this approach has fostered meaningful relationships and a loyal following. Your Santa Fe Indian Market experience ensures you are connecting with juried, one-of-a-kind artworks that are heirloom quality, handcrafted and collectable.

THE STORIES

Collectors and art enthusiasts enjoy the cultural experience of market and the opportunity to interact and make purchases from the artists directly. Generations of artists like the Romero family, featured in this month’s New Mexico Magazine, provide insight into how traditional arts are handed down, passed on and continue to evolve.

THE CULTURE

In addition to being the largest Native art market in the world, the event brings together Native people from over 400 Nations, Tribes and Bands in a celebration of Native American culture and identity. Food vendors selling traditional foods like fry bread and sweet corn enhance Indian Market’s cultural experience; Native musicians will play events throughout the weekend, dancers will perform live dances, and cutting-edge Native fashion designers will walk the runway.

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT

• SFIM brings in over 150,000 tourists/visitors annually

• SFIM brings in $80M economic impact to the State and City.

About SWAIA:

Founded in 1921, SWAIA is an advocate for Native American arts and culture, and creates economic and cultural opportunities for Native American artists by producing and promoting the Santa Fe Indian Market as the finest Indian art event in the world; cultivating excellence and innovation across traditional and non-traditional art forms; and developing programs and events that support, promote, and honor Native artists year-round. More details can be found at: swaia.org

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This article was posted by SantaFe.com