THE SANTA FE PLAZA can hardly contain it all. Featuring over 1,000 artists from more than 200 tribes, the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts Santa Fe Indian Market bursts at the seams with Indigenous excellence. Now in its 102nd year, the event has grown into the largest and most prestigious Native arts show in the world, which has also made the juried selection process extra competitive. And while Indian Market sits at the center of it all on August 17 and 18, an entire universe of satellite events just waiting to be explored has developed in Santa Fe and beyond.
The Pathways Indigenous Festival showcases over 350 artists at the Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino.
Photograph courtesy of the Poeh Cultural Center.
PATHWAYS INDIGENOUS FESTIVAL
More than 350 artists display and sell their work at the Pathways Indigenous Festival, held August 16–18 at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, in Pojoaque. Organized by the Pueblo of Pojoaque and the Poeh Cultural Center, the event includes a fashion show, screenings of Indigenous films, a huge selection of art, food trucks, live music, and dance performances. “There are so many artists who need a place to showcase their work,” says Karl Duncan, executive director at the Poeh Cultural Center. In fact, Pathways has grown into the third-largest Native market in the country. “It’s a tribal program,” Duncan says. “So everything we do is to serve our tribal community."
The IndigenousWays Festival wraps up its summer events on August 16 at Santa Fe Railyard Park.
Photograph courtesy of IndigenousWays Festival.
INDIGENOUSWAYS FESTIVAL
Founded by musicians Tash Terry and Elena Higgins, alumnae of the Institute of American Indian Arts, the IndigenousWays Festival is built on their own experiences as performers. “IndigenousWays is our way of giving back and of giving a voice to both up-and-coming and established artists,” Higgins says. The last of its three summer festivals at Santa Fe Railyard Park, on August 16, will include hands-on activities, Wise Fool puppet performances, and live music from Pure Fé (Tuscarora/Taíno), Wade Fernandez (Menominee), and Simona Rael. “Music is medicine,” Higgins says. “It’s the doorway to peacemaking.”
The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian supports Native artists with a preview party and benefit sale of Indigenous artworks from August 14-18.
Photograph courtesy of The Wheelwright Museum.
THE WHEELWRIGHT MUSEUM
The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian offers two special ways to support Native artists August 14–18. Beginning Wednesday with a ticketed preview party, the benefit sale features up to 500 pieces of vintage and contemporary Indigenous artworks donated by collectors and galleries. The museum’s largest fundraiser continues Thursday and Friday and includes free entry to the museum. “We are purposeful in trying to think of the variety of people who wish to support Native artists,” says Henrietta Lidchi, executive director of the Wheelwright. The museum also hosts an Artists’ Market under the museum’s portal that showcases 15 emerging and established Indigenous artists. “It’s a beautiful atmosphere,” adds Ken Williams Jr. (Arapaho/Seneca), manager of the museum’s Case Trading Post and curator of the market.
FREE INDIAN MARKET
Just north of the Santa Fe Plaza, the green lawn at Federal Park welcomes more than 500 artists August 17 and 18. Produced by Gregory and Angie Schaaf and overseen by a council of 50 Indigenous elders, the event charges no booth fee and has hosted artists from every pueblo in New Mexico and from around the world. “Each space at our market is a family booth space,” says Schaaf. “In one booth you will see many generations.” In addition, live musical performances include three-time Grammynominated singer-songwriter Radmilla Cody (Diné) and folk duo Indigie Femme.
