Take the grandiose nature of the electrifying Santa Fe Indian Market in August, present it in a smaller scale and add the charm of the holiday season, and you’ve got the SWAIA Winter Indian Market. The annual December event, taking place this year December 14 and 15, features artwork from 150 Native artists selling jewelry, pottery, paintings, weavings, beadwork, sculpture and more, as well as live music, dance and cultural performances. It’s the place you come to do your holiday shopping when you want to make it personal, having discussions with the artists face-to-face about their works.
An outdoor view of Santa Fe landmark La Fonda on the Plaza.
“My favorite thing about Winter Indian Market is how intimate it is,” says Amanda Crocker, SWAIA interim co-director/PR and marketing director. “Whereas the summer market is outdoors and has a super high-energy vibe, Winter Market is a more low-key event, where you could literally visit with every artist over the two days.”
Edwin Mighell (Inupiaq), Sedna, Inuit Goddess of the Sea, Cook Inlet glacial clay and glazes, impressed from hand-made matte board plate, 8 x 8 x 4⁄10"
Darryl Begay (Navajo), tufa casting set with high grade turquoise
Artists in attendance this year include Deborah Lujan, Eugene Tapahe, Mateo Romero, Alvin Yellowhorse, Glendora Fragua, Aaron Brokeshoulder, Dominique Toya, Edwin Mighell, Jennifer Medina, Sean Rising Sun Flanigan, Janie Reano, Rose Reano, Lester Abeyta, Sharon Abeyta, Adrian Pinnecoose, Darryl Begay and many more.
Adrian Wall is focusing on jewelry for this year’s Winter Market, a subject he says began when he was a student at the Institute of American Indian Arts in 2010. “I didn’t expect glass to be the primary material for my jewelry. I am a huge fan of Sonwai and Charles Loloma [and] I am captivated by the sculptural nature of their jewelry and their use of materials. I began exploring some techniques to create works of this nature early this year. I have become completely obsessed with the process,” says Wall.
Jemez potter Linda Fragua at last year’s market.
Jicarilla Apache artist Carson Vicente at his booth full of ornaments at the 2018 Winter Indian Market.
Arapaho/Cheyenne painter Brent Learned is bringing a variety of two-dimensional works with different subject matter ranging from buffalo hunting scenes to portraits. “One of them will be my take on Frida [Kahlo] if she was a Plains Indian. In my piece she will be Arapaho wearing a ghost dance dress,” says the artist.
Nocona Burgess (Comanche), Coyote tales the Fire, acrylic, 24 x 30"
Market-goers can browse through a selection of clothing items and accessories from designer Penny Singer, including contemporary appliqué work of bold geometric designs as well as jackets, vests, handbags and ribbon shirts. “I’ll have gift items for the holidays, stockings, clutches and much more. All freehand appliqué work and home model sewing machine made in my studio,” Singer adds.
Alvin Yellowhorse (Navajo), bracelet, sterling silver with black jade, red coral, pink coral, Hidden Valley turquoise, lapis lazuli, 18-karat gold accent and royal Webb turquoise
Adrian Wall (Jemez), outside cuffs: sterling silver, New Landers turquoise, coral, Wyoming jade, ironwood, lapis lazuli; gradiant cuff (blue-purple): sterling silver, glass
Basketry artist Kelly Church brings to the Winter Market new creations like woven chocolate covered and gold covered strawberries, woven caramel apples, unique birch bark and quilled items and more. “I have been experimenting with new mediums and combinations and having a lot of creative fun,” says Church.
Glendora Fragua (Jemez), black polished vase with dragonfly designs and coral stones, stone-polished, sgraffito technique, hand-painted with acrylic and pit-fired, 4 x 6"
Comanche artist Nocona Burgess brings to the market contemporary style portraits using historical photo references and animals. “I feel like there’s a fusion of contemporary painting while keeping with the integrity of the image and portrait. I want them to still have the same feeling we see in the photos but more dynamic in color and visual impact,” he says of his works.
Brent Learned (Arapaho/Cheyenne), Dull knife Cheyenne, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 36"
“This year we plan to spread the performers around in the various spaces at Market, rather than keeping them in the ballroom. So, visitors should expect the sounds of flute, guitar and drum to follow them around more than in the past,” Crocker explains. “[To] those who find the summer market to be overwhelming, Winter Market is the perfect alternative, with just as much diversity of art.”
Mateo Romero (Cochiti), Butterfly Dancer, mixed media on canvas, 30 x 24"
Kelly Church (Pottawatomi), Chocolate Covered Strawberry, black ash, Rit dye, copper leaf, 2 x 1"
The 2019 Winter Indian Market takes place in downtown Santa Fe’s La Fonda on the Plaza running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 15. Tickets can be purchased at the door. —
December 14-15, 2019
SWAIA Winter Indian Market
La Fonda on the Plaza, 100 E. San Francisco Street,
Santa Fe, NM 87501, (505) 983-5220
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