SANTA FE'S INTERNATIONAL FOLK ART MARKET: ATREAT FOR THE EYES

This weekend, Saturday July 11th and Sunday July 12th, we'll be heading up to Santa Fe's Museum Hill for the sixth annual .International Folk Art Market The 2009 Market features over 140 artists from over 45 countries around the world. Vendors set up tables in huge tents around Millman Plaza (home to the International Museum of Folk Art and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture).

We have a plan of action when we go. We start at the tents in the parking lot, work our way through these and climb the stairs to Millman Plaza. Once there, if the beat is great we stop and listen to the catchy world music for a while or watch the dancers. At this point, it's probably time for a snack. We'll head down to the International Food Bazaar where we'll grab a bite to eat after checking out all he food vendors to see what tempts us. If you want less exotic fare, the Museum Hill Café also will be serving food all weekend. Then, stomachs full, we go into each and every tent up on the plaza to see what exotic and beautiful wares the artisans have brought.

I don’t buy a lot as my budget is small, but I always leave with something special. My first year there I got a telephone-wire basket from South Africa for me and some embroidered purses from Guatemala that I gave as gifts. The next year, (it’s always close to my birthday) I bought myself a present, a wonderful hand-carved Zapotec angel from Oaxaca, Mexico. The angel has her hands extended and she is holding a bird. The wings and the bird are detachable. She sits in our guestroom on a primitive bench welcoming visitors. The following year I bought a piece of flowered china from Poland that, alas, broke last year- I may just have to replace it. Last year we both worked all weekend and missed the Market, but we will be back this year, cash is hand.

The festivities actually kick off Thursday evening with a free concert in Santa Fe’s famous Plaza in the heart of the old city from 6 –8:30. Featured Afro-Cuban artist, Bobi Céspedes will wow the crowd with her singing and drumming. Opening for Céspedes will be Santa Fe’s own Mathew Andrae, who was a sensation on YouTube last year singing Sweet Celine.

A procession of the artisans in the colorful attire of their native lands starts the festivities at Friday evening's Artist’s Reception and Preview Benefit. Meet and talk to the artists while you sample the eclectic world-cuisine hors d’oeuvres, sip wine and again, listen to the Afro-Cuban sounds of Bobi Céspedes. If you are a collector or serious shopper, this is a great time to preview the crafts that will be on sale on Saturday. Tickets, which admit two, are $250.00. This ticket also features admission for one person to the early bird shopping on Saturday morning. If you are a collector, a dealer or you want first crack at the wares, you can get an Early Bird ticket for $50.00. This allows you to arrive at 7:30 and shop a less crowed Market until the doors open to everyone at 9:00. Early bird shuttles start at 7:00 AM and if you don’t have a ticket they will be sold at the shuttle site according to Market publicist Clare Hertel.

As cars are not allowed up on the Hill for the entire weekend, continuous shuttles run and are included in the admission price. The fist year we went, I was reluctant to ride the bus, but it was the only way I could get to the Market. I hate crowded buses (probably traces back to all the crowded buses and subways I rode in NYC as a child), but I bit the bullet and discovered that the air-conditioned buses were fine and that the ride was short. A bonus is people are friendly and you can chat with a total stranger. I suggest buying your tickets prior to the Market. There is a discount if you purchase them prior to the event and you won’t have to wait on line to boy them at the gate.

While children are free the entire weekend, Sunday is Family Day at the Market. Last year they started the Passport Program for kids. Upon arrival, they can follow the yellow footprints to a booth that will issue their passports- no photo required. As they go from booth to booth they can talk with the artisans and get their passports stamped with the flag of the artisan’s home country. This year, for the first time, there will be teen-aged docents from several youth groups who will give hour-long tours of the Market, to children aged 5 and up (passports in hand). When they exit the Market, each child that attends the Market will be given a commemorative pin.
If you are in Santa Fe this weekend- either because you live here or you are visiting, head up to Museum Hill. You’ll really have a great time. I did.