7th Annual Officially Unofficial Guide to Santa Fe Indigenous Art Market Week (2024)

LAST UPDATED: 08/15/24

It’s that time of year again…SANTA FE INDIGENOUS ART MARKET WEEK!

my man & baby girl at market a few years ago, still funny

Jump to…
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

A few things to know when visiting Santa Fe…

  1. Uber and Lyft are both available in Santa Fe but availability is VERY LIMITED.
  2. Cell service is not always the best around downtown so no it’s not your phone, it’s Santa Fe.
  3. Elevation – Santa Fe is at 7000 ft elevation. High elevation has a few side effects you should be aware of – thinner air means you may be more tired due to less oxygen; it also means you are more likely to get dehydrated so drink lots of water (the Institute for Altitude Medicine recommends an extra 1 to 1.5 liters/day). Also, thinner air means the sun is intense, so plan accordingly.
  4. Nightlife – there is none. This town pretty much goes to sleep with the sun. There are a few places to go, but don’t be surprised if they are mostly empty. Check out the event list for the happenings!
  5. There are multiple art markets:
    1. Wheelwright Museum Artist’s Market, Aug 16-17
    2. Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival @ Buffalo Thunder Casino, Aug 16-18
    3. Sovereign Santa Fe, Aug 16-18
    4. Free Indian Market, Aug 17-18
    5. IAIA Recent Graduate Art Market, Aug 17-18
    6. Santa Fe Indian Market, Aug 17-18
  6. And two Native Film Festivals (Aug 15-18):
    • Native Cinema Showcase Santa Fe: The National Museum of the American Indian’s Native Cinema Showcase is an annual celebration of the best in Native film. In honor of the museum’s twentieth anniversary in Washington, DC, the theme of looking back and moving forward will be highlighted with a star-studded panel featuring Native trailblazers who made their impact on Hollywood. Films explore the challenges still confronting Indigenous peoples on disparate fronts, including sports, missing and murdered Indigenous women, intergenerational trauma, and rematriation of the land with buffalo.
    • Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival Film Festival: We are thrilled to announce the Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival 2024 Film Festival, showcasing an exceptional lineup of 46 shorts and films created by talented Indigenous filmmakers and storytellers. This year’s festival promises to celebrate the rich and diverse voices within Indigenous communities, offering a unique platform for these creators to share their powerful narratives. Join us for an inspiring cinematic journey that highlights the artistry and resilience of Indigenous cultures.
  7. Useful Links/info:
    1. SWAIA Booth Guide (artist directory)
    2. SWAIA Map
    3. If you’re going to the Poeh Cultural Center or Buffalo Thunder Resort Casino, note that they are both about a 20 minute drive out of town.
    4. Farmers’ Market Saturday mornings at the Railyard Park, 7am-1pm. Really good people watching 😉

Museum Exhibits around town to check out:

  1. Museum of Contemporary Native Art (MoCNA) is free for Natives
  2. Wheelright Museum of the American Indian is free for Natives
  3. Museum of Indians Arts and Culture:

Events
I’ve compiled a list of events that I am aware of with links to more info (will add more as info becomes available)

Tuesday, August 13

  1. Native Roots with Sage Bond: All are invited to the Santa Fe Plaza to gather and enjoy great, FREE live music together in the 400-year-old historic heart of Santa Fe. 6-8pm

Wednesday, August 14

  1. Erica Lord Art – OPEN STUDIO: Please join me for an Open Studio event at my newly expanded studio! I’m excited to finally show my family, friends, & community (that means you!) what we’ve been working on and making at Erica Lord Art & Photo Studios. I’m excited to finally share what we’ve been making, classic prints plus the new work we’ve made as part of the “The Codes We Carry: Beads as DNA Data.” 4-7pm
  2. 2024 IAIA Annual Benefit & Auction—Scholarships Shape Futures: IAIA leadership, alum artists, and donors gather at La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for an evening of art, entertainment, and fundraising to provide essential scholarship support for IAIA students. The benefit event will feature a silent auction on La Fonda’s La Terraza, a live auction of one-of-a-kind works by contemporary Indigenous artists, and a live paddle call. 5-9:30pm

Thursday, August 15

  1. Taking to the Streets: Indigenous Public Art Interventions @ the Coe Center: Join us for an illuminated conversation about sanctioned and unsanctioned public art interventions with Bob Haozous, Joseph Sanchez, Rachelle B. Pablo, and America Meredith. 10am
  2. NDN Girls Book Club Garden Gala – Poetry and Fiction Reading: Come celebrate Indigenous educators, writers, books, and more at NDN Girls Book Club’s premiere event at Glenn Green Galleries and Sculpture Garden! Featuring readers Chelsea T. Hicks, Deb Taffa, Danielle Emerson, NDN Girls Book Club team, Max Early, and more, this sweet reading will feature emerging and established voices in Indigenous literature, accompanied by catered goodies from Diné-owned 4 Your Plate Only, free gift bags while supplies last, an Indigenous children’s book authors table hosted by Trisha Moquino and Indigenous Educators, free books and zines by Abalone Mountain Press, and more. 2-4pm
  3. Cara Romero Gallery presents Slow Water Summer Group Exhibit Opening Reception: Slow Water speaks to the empirical knowledge of Native artists and makers that reaches back thousands of years and informs the pace and rhythm of processes related to fibers, paint, clay, and shell. Water is used in myriad ways, whether gathered and incorporated in slips or pigments, used to submerge and soften materials, or dried slowly or quickly in the sun. Featuring artists: Ian Kuali’i, Erica Lord, Leah Mata Fragua, Lehuauakea, Porfirio Gutierrez, Cara Romero, and Diego Romero. Located at 333 Montezuma, No. 5. 4-8pm
  4. Native Max Native Fashion Show @ Form & Concept: Join us August 15th for our second annual Native Fashion Show presented by Native Max Magazine featuring indigenous designers, Stacey Mitchell (Mohawk, from Akwesane, NY), Sage Mountainflower (Ohkay Owingeh, Taos Pueblo, & Diné from New Mexico), and Ro Tree (Diné, Kiowa, and Comanche from New Mexico). Celebrate and conncet with Native designers, models, and fashion enthusiasts who are bringing the innovative visions of Native design to the public. 5pm
  5. Towering Stone Showroom Grand Opening: we are delighted to invite you to our Grand Opening at the Towering Stone Showroom!! We are open for normal business hours from 12-5 then we invite you to our extended hours from 6-8 in celebration of our space in the El Centro de Santa Fe. Come by to see our new look and shop among the latest designs! Drinks and light refreshments available. We welcome all to come and join us! 6-8pm
  6. Native Cinema Trailblazers Join us for a conversation with legendary Native actors who paved the way for greater representation in the entertainment industry: Graham Greene (Oneida), Tantoo Cardinal (Cree/Métis/Nakota), Gary Farmer (Cayuga), and Wes Studi (Cherokee). With careers spanning more than 40 years in the industry, these actors inspired an entire generation of Indigenous performers. They will discuss navigating their careers in entertainment, how the industry has evolved, challenges and triumphs, and favorite roles. Moderated by Sierra Teller Ornelas (Navajo), showrunner for Rutherford Falls, screenwriter, producer, and filmmaker. In person: Graham Greene, Tantoo Cardinal, Gary Farmer, Wes Studi. 7pm
  7. We Sing To Listen @ The Mystic: An evening of Indigenous sound feat. Two Lips, Big Wind, Hataałii, with DJ set by Terria XO. 7pm
  8. Pueblo Revolt @ Santa Fe Playhouse A script-in-hand staged workshop of a comedy about two Indigenous brothers living under Colonial Spanish rule in New Mexico: one is an inexperienced revolutionary, and the other is a gay idealist. They must question their beliefs, morality, and what is necessary to ensure their people’s and family’s survival when the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 begins. Equally hilarious and poignant, the play weaves together history and Indigifuturism. 7:30pm
  9. Art by Robert Mesa @ As Above So Below: Join me for my artist reception today at As Above So Below. 8-10pm

Friday, August 16

  1. Wheelwright Museum Case Trading Post Artist’s Market: featuring established and emerging artists. 8am-4pm
  2. Pathways Native Arts Festival: spend the day talking to artists and shopping for original jewelry, pottery, textiles and other arts by Native artists from across the United States. Come eat at one of the local Native food vendors with fresh flavors and traditional recipes. 9am-5pm
  3. Sovereign Santa Fe: Sovereign Santa Fe, is a Contemporary Native American Arts exhibition, curated by Tony Abeyta showcasing cutting edge indigenous creativity. Sovereign’s mission is to create a platform to highlight ‘NewSchool’ Native American Arts and its elusive relationship between traditional and contemporary. Established to give vibrant Native American artists an on-trend platform to showcase and share their accomplished works and talents. 10am-7pm
  4. Native America Calling Live from the Santa Fe Indian Market: You’re invited to join Native America Calling for a special live broadcast of Native America Calling on Friday, August 16 from the Santa Fe Indian Market. Native America Calling will be hosting their live broadcast from the Eldorado Hotel and Spa in the Zia Ballroom A. 10:30am-12:30pm
  5. Fashion Showcase @ Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival : featuring Joanne Miles Long (San Carlos Apache and Akimel O’Otham), Rebekah Jarvey (Chippewa, Cree and Blackfeet), Sage Mountainflower (Ohkay Owingeh, Taos and Navajo Nation), Rhiannon Folgheraiter (Navajo Nation), Shirley Pino (Santa Ana Pueblo). 12pm
  6. Sko Skate Den @ Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival: Join us for our epic Skateboard Competition – 12 and under; 13-17; 18 and up; Girls (all ages). 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes in each group. Free Apache Skateboards t-shirts for all entrants! Don’t miss your chance to meet the Apache Skateboards team and watch some incredible talent! Coordinated by Pro Skateboarder Douglas Miles, Jr. 1-4pm
  7. Naiomi Glasses x Ralph Lauren launch event @ Malouf on the Plaza. 2-4pm
  8. OFF MARKET ART WALK: experience 5 Native-owned spaces hosting our own pop-up shopping events in downtown Santa Fe featuring artists and designers: Chizhii, Winston Paul, Orlando Dugi, House of Sutai, Sleep Rock Company, Matagi Fine Art, byNeeko, Dineh & Co, Marco Arviso, Nicholas Jackson, OXDX, Bobby Wilson, Dineh Couture, RVSO78, Waanoonke, Shaaxsaani and more! Downtown Santa Fe, 4-7pm
  9. Red Future Pop-Up Store @ the Railyard Park: Exclusive and Unreleased merchandise from the Red Future Collection from Snotty Nose Rez Kids. 4-8pm
  10. SWAIA Best of Show Preview:  exclusive and highly anticipated occasion that offers attendees a first look at the exquisite art entries that will be showcased at the Santa Fe Indian Market. This event is a unique opportunity to preview the stunning array of art from all classifications, giving attendees a glimpse into the incredible talent that exists within the Native American art community. 4:30-6pm
  11. MASS Happy Hour: In celebration of Native impact and talent across creative disciplines, MASS is excited to host ISAPD (Indigenous Society of Architecture, Planning, & Design) and some of the designers involved with the art installation “We Carry the Land”. 4:30-6:30pm
  12. MoCNA 2024 Summer Exhibitions—Opening Reception The traveling exhibition Arctic Highways features 12 Indigenous artists from Sápmi (cultural region traditionally inhabited by the Sámi people) and North America, sharing stories of Indigenous people who live on different continents yet regard themselves as kindred spirits. Common Thread: Indigenous Perspectives from the Arctic. For millennia Indigenous peoples of the North have lived in harmony with the land and sea. The twelve artists and activists in the exhibition continue this relationship. These works also highlight artists’s connection to place, the natural world, and their communities. 5-7pm
  13. When the Earth was Young Opening @ Smoke the Moon Gallery: a group exhibition of Indigenous artists, presenting the work of Nizhonniya Austin, Jordan Craig, Poyomi McDarment, Jenny Irene Miller and Brandon Ortiz. These artists bring together practices of printmaking, painting, photography, ceramics, and illustration. 6-8pm
  14. Sovereignly Fit is a ticketed two-night Contemporary Native Fashion extravaganza showcasing the distinctiveness of Indigenous designers. The group fashion exhibition will take place at La Fonda the evenings of Friday 16th & Saturday 17th. Cocktail hour and shopping starts at 6:30pm, runway shows begins at 7:45pm. Designer meet & greet and Shopping till 9:30pm. Friday designer lineup: Rebekah Jarvey, OXDX (Jared Yazzie), and Patricia Michaels. Produced and organized by Towering Stone Couture; A men’s luxury fashion & lifestyle brand founded by Loren Aragon of Acoma Pueblo. 6:30-9:30pm
  15. Pueblo Revolt @ Santa Fe Playhouse A script-in-hand staged workshop of a comedy about two Indigenous brothers living under Colonial Spanish rule in New Mexico: one is an inexperienced revolutionary, and the other is a gay idealist. They must question their beliefs, morality, and what is necessary to ensure their people’s and family’s survival when the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 begins. Equally hilarious and poignant, the play weaves together history and Indigifuturism. 7:30pm
  16. The Levi Platero Band live music @ Tumbleroot, with Scotti Clifford and the Osceola Brothers. Steeped in musical lessons as far back as teaching himself guitar at nine years old from a launchpad of the three Kings and Stevie Ray Vaughn, Platero’s leads and songwriting reflect a lifetime absorbing music. On “Work Hours,” Platero’s guitar work and songwriting style bring a breath of fresh air to a time-worn topic and make it new. 7:30pm
  17. Gary Farmer & The Troublemakers: live music @ Cowgirl. 8-11pm
  18. Native Guitars Tour Interactive Experience Beneath the pueblo moon and stars step into the multiverse of Native Music, Art & Fashion as we partner with Meow Wolf to transport you on the next voyage to the interactive experience by Native Guitars Tour. Get your portal passports ready because you are invited to this collaboration on Friday, August 16th. 8pm

Saturday, August 17

  1. IAIA Student and Recent Graduate Art Market @ MoCNA: Join MoCNA for the annual IAIA Student and Recent Graduate Art Market, held August 17-18 alongside the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) Indian Market, under the museum’s portal. 8am-5pm
  2. SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market: the original market, located downtown, near and on the plaza. Check out the plaza stage for various performances all weekend long. Also get a guide when you arrive to locate your favorite artists and plan your route. 8am-5pm
  3. Santa Fe’s Free Indian Market Show @ the Federal Park: Featuring Native American Elders, Master Artists and their families. Top-Award Winners, Lifetime Achievement Award Winners and Living Treasures. 8am-5pm
  4. Pathways Native Arts Festival: spend the day talking to artists and shopping for original jewelry, pottery, textiles and other arts by Native artists from across the United States. Come eat at one of the local Native food vendors with fresh flavors and traditional recipes. 9am-5pm
  5. Wheelwright Museum Case Trading Post Artist’s Market: featuring established and emerging artists. 10am-2pm
  6. Sovereign Santa Fe: Sovereign Santa Fe, is a Contemporary Native American Arts exhibition, curated by Tony Abeyta showcasing cutting edge indigenous creativity. Sovereign’s mission is to create a platform to highlight ‘NewSchool’ Native American Arts and its elusive relationship between traditional and contemporary. Established to give vibrant Native American artists an on-trend platform to showcase and share their accomplished works and talents. 10am-7pm
  7. Red Future Pop-Up Store @ the Railyard Park: Exclusive and Unreleased merchandise from the Red Future Collection from Snotty Nose Rez Kids. 10am-9pm
  8. Native Narratives and Nibbles: Brunch with Documentary and TV Filmmakers: A delightful brunch and discussion while connecting with acclaimed Native storytellers from the world of documentary and television. Panelists include: Julian Brave Noisecat and Ed Noisecat (Sugarcane); Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon (Dark Winds); IAIA Filmmaker Bell Edmo; moderated by: James Lujan (IAIA, Dept. of Cinematic Arts). 10-11:30am
  9. Bear Grease: BEAR GREASE RETURNS! Featuring an all-Indigenous cast, this hilarious twist on the 1978 classic, Grease, reimagines the beloved musical as culturally relevant with Indigenous humor and pride. Bear Grease is the brainchild of Crystle Lightning (Cree) and MC RedCloud (Huichol), a husband-and-wife hip-hop duo who go by the name LightningCloud. 1pm, 4pm, 7pm
  10. Between 2 Cacti: Voices & Experiences of Indigenous Artists: Join us for an inspiring panel discussion hosted by First Peoples Fund. Hear from the finest artists: Jody Naranjo Folwell-Turipa (Santa Clara Pueblo), Golga Oscar (Yupik), Rico Worl (Tlingit, Athabascan), and George Alexander (Muscogee), as they share their unique voices and perspectives on topics like Defining Indigenous Art, Cultural Significance, Contemporary Perspectives, Representation and Identity, and the Impact and Future Directions of Indigenous art. 2-3pm
  11. Mobil Savage Hosts Off the Rails! DJ Sets @ Railyard Plaza: FREE SHOW during the Santa Fe Indian Market weekend. Mobil Savage and friends are hosting the Santa Fe Railyard Plaza to bring some music, art, culture, and vibes to the People for the People! 4-10pm
  12. Santa Fe Indian Market Gala & Live Auction Come dressed in your best Santa Fe Chic and celebrate the 102nd year of Market! Our live auction benefits the advocacy efforts of SWAIA and is a highlight of the evening.  Chosen artwork pieces will be auctioned off live along with the 2025 Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber with hand applied design elements over Candy Apple red paint that melts into black hand sprayed, gold leaf paint detail and a hand-twisted, custom cross-bar completed by award winning SWAIA artists. 6-9pm
  13. Sovereignly Fit is a ticketed two-night Contemporary Native Fashion extravaganza showcasing the distinctiveness of Indigenous designers. The group fashion exhibition will take place at La Fonda the evenings of Friday 16th & Saturday 17th. Cocktail hour and shopping starts at 6:30pm, runway shows begins at 7:45pm. Designer meet & greet and Shopping till 9:30pm. Saturday designer lineup: Son of Picasso & Towering Stone (Loren Aragon). Produced and organized by Towering Stone Couture; A men’s luxury fashion & lifestyle brand founded by Loren Aragon of Acoma Pueblo. 6:30-9:30pm
  14. Underground Evening of Music & Noise: presented by Broken Boxes podcast, featuring Raven Chacon, Laura Ortman, Wake Singers, Deerlady, Mato Wayuhi, and Labrys, hosted by Sterlin Harjo. 7pm
  15. Native Guitar Tours 9th Annual Rock & Round Dance @ Tumbleroot Brewery Step into an evening with Native creatives from across Turtle Island as we gather to celebrate Music & Art during the Indian Market in Santa Fe. An all-star lineup & special guests! 7pm-12am
  16. Santa Fe Indian Market Vibration @ Boxcar: Live music from Tha ‘Yoties and Innastate followed by DJ Element. You won’t want to miss this night of incredible music. 7pm
  17. Special Performance: DJ Shub Preceded by music videos from Indigenous artists. This evening event features a special performance with DJ Shub preceded by music videos from Indigenous artists. 7pm
  18. Pueblo Revolt @ Santa Fe Playhouse A script-in-hand staged workshop of a comedy about two Indigenous brothers living under Colonial Spanish rule in New Mexico: one is an inexperienced revolutionary, and the other is a gay idealist. They must question their beliefs, morality, and what is necessary to ensure their people’s and family’s survival when the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 begins. Equally hilarious and poignant, the play weaves together history and Indigifuturism. 7:30pm

Sunday, August 18

  1. IAIA Student and Recent Graduate Art Market @ MoCNA: Join MoCNA for the annual IAIA Student and Recent Graduate Art Market, held August 17-18 alongside the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) Indian Market, under the museum’s portal. 8am-5pm
  2. SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market: the original market, located downtown, near and on the plaza. Check out the plaza stage for various performances all weekend long. Also get a guide when you arrive to locate your favorite artists and plan your route. 8am-5pm
  3. Santa Fe’s Free Indian Market Show @ the Federal Park: Featuring Native American Elders, Master Artists and their families. Top-Award Winners, Lifetime Achievement Award Winners and Living Treasures. 8am-5pm
  4. Pathways Native Arts Festival: spend the day talking to artists and shopping for original jewelry, pottery, textiles and other arts by Native artists from across the United States. Come eat at one of the local Native food vendors with fresh flavors and traditional recipes. 9am-5pm
  5. Red Future Pop-Up Store @ the Railyard Park: Exclusive and Unreleased merchandise from the Red Future Collection from Snotty Nose Rez Kids. 9am-1pm
  6. Sovereign Santa Fe: Sovereign Santa Fe, is a Contemporary Native American Arts exhibition, curated by Tony Abeyta showcasing cutting edge indigenous creativity. Sovereign’s mission is to create a platform to highlight ‘NewSchool’ Native American Arts and its elusive relationship between traditional and contemporary. Established to give vibrant Native American artists an on-trend platform to showcase and share their accomplished works and talents. 10am-7pm
  7. SWAIA Native Fashion Panel: Kent Monkman & Jontay Kahm: Artist Kent Monkman will launch Sunday’s fashion show with an Art & Fashion presentation alongside designer Jontay Kahm at the Santa Fe Convention Center on August 18th. “Monkman, renowned for his fashionable alter-ego Miss Chief Eagle-Testickle, creates innovative and provocative art that challenges colonial narratives and highlights Indigenous experiences. His involvement in the August fashion show adds a layer of artistic excellence and creativity, pushing the boundaries of conventional fashion programming,” stated SWAIA Native Fashion producer, Amber-Dawn Bear Robe. 11am-12pm
  8. Bear Grease: BEAR GREASE RETURNS! Featuring an all-Indigenous cast, this hilarious twist on the 1978 classic, Grease, reimagines the beloved musical as culturally relevant with Indigenous humor and pride. Bear Grease is the brainchild of Crystle Lightning (Cree) and MC RedCloud (Huichol), a husband-and-wife hip-hop duo who go by the name LightningCloud. 1pm, 4pm
  9. Pueblo Revolt @ Santa Fe Playhouse A script-in-hand staged workshop of a comedy about two Indigenous brothers living under Colonial Spanish rule in New Mexico: one is an inexperienced revolutionary, and the other is a gay idealist. They must question their beliefs, morality, and what is necessary to ensure their people’s and family’s survival when the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 begins. Equally hilarious and poignant, the play weaves together history and Indigifuturism. 2pm
  10. SWAIA Indigenous Fashion Show: The 11th annual SWAIA Native Fashion Show, produced by Indigenous art historian Amber-Dawn Bear Robe, is a highly anticipated runway fashion show. This year five cutting-edge designers will present their collections. 3-4pm
    SOLD OUT – if you can find tickets you don’t want to miss this!
  11. Def-i Presents Grand Exit 5 @ Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery featuring Jacob Shije Trio, Defi-i, Hataałii, The Flossies, Geneviève Gros-Louis, Stuart James, A$h Da Hunter, DJ Ill Audia, Special Guests, Vendors, Surprise Appearances, Hosted by Comedian: Joshua Fournier. 6pm-12am

If you see a mistake – please let me know!

ENJOY 🙂

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