Santa Fe bursts at the seams the third weekend in August* each year for the annual Indian Market. SWAIA (Southwest Association For Indian Arts) , a non-profit organization puts on this event. The 88th market takes place in the historic Santa Fe Plaza on August 22nd and 23rd. from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This juried market features Native American artists and artisans, working in traditional and contemporary styles and media. There is always a waiting list for the booths.
The Santa Fe Indian Market began in 1922 as the Southwest Indian Fair run by the Museum of New Mexico and was part of the Fiesta celebration. It has evolved over almost eighty-eight years into what is today the largest and most prestigious show of its kind in the world. This year 1,144 Native artists and artisans will exhibit their wares in 674 booths. Another fifty plus booths will house food, book sales, non-profit organizations and more.
Participating artists can enter what they consider to be their best pieces for awards in eighteen categories. On Friday the submissions are judged and prizes are awarded at the Best in Show Award Ceremony at 4:30. Traditionally, the winning pieces are the first items bought on Saturday morning. Following the Best in Show event, a preview is held for SWAIA members featuring all the entries. The Best of Show tickets are $200.00 and available to Turquoise Level members and above. Both events are held at the Santa Fe Convention Center at 201 West Marcy Street. Time for Preview admission depends on your membership level. If you are not a member, don’t fret; you can join at the door.
Serious collectors, museums, gallery and shop owners and the just plain curious attend the preview. It gives people an opportunity to scope out the artists and their wares and formulate a strategy for the next day. Because the competition is fierce and supply is limited, people line up at the booths hours before they open, sometimes camping out all night. Nothing may be sold before the 7:00 AM opening time. Legend has it that some well-heeled folks pay people to stand vigil for them and they show up in time to buy.
Some really collectible artists can sell out very quickly and head for home. By noon some of the artists on the waiting list will be setting out their wares. Prices can be high; after all, these are some of the best Indian artists and artisans in the world. There are also affordable pieces or you can do what I do, and pretend you are at a museum that houses the best Indian arts and handcrafts on the planet. This year, because of the economy, rumor has it that some participants will be offering some more affordable items.
The market, which according to SWAIA, attracts somewhere around 100.000 visitors to The City Different brings about $81,000,000 to Santa Fe, about $18,000,00 of that is in sales. Some artists their entire income for the year at this event.
For hotels and restaurants, this is the busiest weekend of the year with hotels often booking up a year in advance (not so much in this new economy) and popular restaurants a few months prior to the weekend. If you did not make your lunch and dinner reservations in advance, there are still a lot of great restaurants in this town and there will be somewhere for you to eat. If you are staying at a hotel, inn or B& B, the concierge or front desk folks can help. If you are in a rental or need additional assistance, The Santa Fe Traveler, a personal concierge and trip planning service is just a phone call away at 505-474-4155.
SWAIA has some great events planned for the week. In addition there is a Native Cinema Showcase and many of the galleries in town hold special shows and openings over Indian Market week. Check with the Santa Fe Gallery Association website for a schedule.
It is a wonderful and vibrant time to be in Santa Fe. If you are not here this year, put the Santa Fe Indian Market on your schedule for next summer.
*The event is the third weekend after the first Monday in August and the actual date is set by the City of Santa Fe.
