Trifter

Among Santa Fe’s countless distinctions, it is the oldest capital in United States, founded c.1609 by the Spanish on the site of prehistoric Native American ruins, where it became a center of Spanish trade with local Indian pueblos. Santa Fe also ranks as the highest capital in the U.S. at 6348 feet above sea level, surpassing Denver, “the Mile-High City”, at 5280 feet and Cheyenne, at an elevation of 6062 feet.

This special city is also home to the Santa Fe Indian Market. Held in Santa Fe each August, Indian Market draws an estimated 100,000 people from around the world. The first Market was organized in 1922 as the Indian Fair and was sponsored by the Museum of New Mexico. In 1936, the New Mexico Association on Indian Affairs took over sponsorship of the event. It is now sponsored by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA), headquartered in Santa Fe, and showcases the work of approximately 1,200 of the top ” target=”_blank”>Native American artists from various tribes throughout the United States.

In order to participate, all artists must provide proof of membership in a federally recognized tribe, and their work must meet strict standards for quality and material authenticity. A jury of renowned art experts judges the submitted work and distribute awards and prize money in the various categories. Winning one of the top prizes in the competition can establish or confirm an entrant’s status as a recognized Native American folk artist, as well a bring the best prices for their work. Many of the participants work the entire year on their entries and the money they make from their sales will provide the artist’s total annual income.

During Indian Market weekend, the Plaza, the historic center of the city, and many adjoining streets are filled with vendor’s booths selling arts and crafts, ranging from $10 tourist trinkets to breathtaking works of the highest quality selling for many thousands of dollars. The visitor can find pottery, jewelry, textile weavings, painting, sculpture, beadwork, basketry, and other traditional and contemporary works of Native American art.

On the Friday evening before the Market’s opening, members of SWAIA may attend a preview of representative works by the artists as well as view the winning entries in each category. This is a way for potential buyers to see the winning artworks as well as a sampling of what will be sold the following day. Many buyers make a point of arriving downtown before dawn to line up at the booth of a favorite artist, and it is not unusual to find well-known artists and those having won the top awards having sold out within a few hours.

Estimates of the impact the Santa Fe Indian Market has on the city’s economy have been calculated at almost $20 million.

Lodging is typically scarce during Indian Market weekend, so if you plan to attend this fascinating event, make your reservations early. Santa Fe’s Indian Market weekend in 2010 is August 21-22.

More information can be found at the Santa Fe Visitor Information Bureau and the New Mexico Board of Tourism.