Market is king in Santa Fe, but the formal market days of Saturday and Sunday are only part of the story during the Santa Fe Indian Market. SWAIA supports market with a variety of events, buying opportunities, VIP receptions, fundraisers and more, all of it swirling around the excitement in the streets around the Santa Fe Plaza.
A dancer performs in the Santa Fe Plaza during the 2021 Santa Fe Indian Market. Photo by Tira Howard.
“We are very excited, especially coming out of last year when we were very much dealing with Covid-safe practices. We will still be working with Covid-safe practices, but this year’s market is bigger and it’s truly going to have a new perspective,” says Kim Peone, executive director of SWAIA. “The centennial aspect of this year’s market is going to be especially fun. It’s our very special birthday, and we will be marking that occasion with some surprises as we reflect back on the past.”
Outside of several invitation-only events happening early in the week, the first big event happens Friday, August 19, with the Best of Show Ceremony and Luncheon at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. This members-only exclusive sneak peek will allow guests to see the award-winning work and watch as the artists accept their prizes, including the Best of Show award, which this year comes with a $30,000 cash prize. The ticketed event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will also feature a lunch. From 2 to 4 p.m. the sneak peek continues and adds a silent auction. Then, from 4 to 6 p.m., there will be a general preview of the award winners’ artwork.
Market kicks off on Saturday and runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will have those same hours for Sunday as well. The plaza and surrounding streets will be entirely open, and no tickets are required for entry into the market. Saturday will feature entertainment on the plaza stage, including singers, dancers and other performances.
Saturday evening will feature the SWAIA Gala that will include the “Shiny Drop” Centennial Party, Fashion Show and Auctions. This ticketed event is the formal bash to mark the arrival of market, but it’s also a fundraiser for SWAIA to help fund future projects and subsequent markets. Artwork from top artists, many of them donated to SWAIA for the sale, will be sold via auction, and the fashion show will highlight work from many of the top Native American designers working today. The whole event takes place at the convention center.
Artwork is sold by auction at the 2021 gala. Photo by Shayla Blatchford.
Sunday on the plaza will feature a much-missed returning event, the Native American Clothing Contest, which was canceled during the 2021 market. Models from all age groups will show off their clothing, much of which is traditional items hand-made by the top artists at market. As is often the case, items worn by the models are works of art that require hundreds and even thousands of hours to create.
Sunday will also feature a suite of events related to the Indigenous Fashion Show, including an exclusive VIP fashion show pre-party, the 3 p.m. main event and then, directly following the fashion show, will be a trunk show. All of the fashion events will take place at the convention center.
A hoop dancer performs in the Santa Fe Plaza during the 2021 Santa Fe Indian Market. Photo by Tira Howard.
In addition to all of these events, SWAIA will also be hosting a number of artist booths at the nearby Railyard district in Santa Fe.
Stay up to date on all these events and more at www.swaia.org.
August 19, noon-2:30 p.m.
Best of Show Ceremony and Luncheon
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Tickets: $150
August 19, 2-4 p.m.
Members Only: Sneak Peek of Award-Winning Art + Silent Auction
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Tickets: $75
August 19, 4-6 p.m.
General Preview of Award-Winning Art
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Tickets: $40
August 20, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Santa Fe Indian Market
Santa Fe Plaza and surrounding streets
Free
August 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Plaza Entertainment
Santa Fe Plaza
Free
August 20, 2022, 6-9 p.m.
SWAIA Gala: “Shiny Drop” Centennial Party, Fashion Show and Auctions
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Tickets: $250
August 21, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Santa Fe Indian Market
Santa Fe Plaza and surrounding streets
Free
August 21, 9 a.m.-noon
Native American Clothing Contest
Santa Fe Plaza
Free
August 21, 2022, 3 p.m.
Indigenous Fashion Show
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Tickets: $15-$250
www.swaia.org
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