For the second year, the Poeh Cultural Center brings together more than 400 Indigenous artists for the Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival—featuring significant works in jewelry, pottery, sculpture, painting and apparel. The festival will also showcase Native performance artists, fashion designers, film makers and food vendors all located at the Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino in Santa Fe.
Duke Sine’s (Apache) booth at last year’s festival.
There is also a lot of excitement surrounding the operations and planning of the festival, which can be boiled down to the mantra: “Planned by Indigenous people, run by Indigenous people, for Indigenous people,” quotes Karl Duncan, executive director of the Poeh Cultural Center. He continues, “I think we’re really building momentum in claiming our role in creating a future for Native American art that is defined by Native creatives...”
Duncan notes that the festival is only one project among many with the goal of providing new opportunities for “Indigenous creative entrepreneurs.” From the festival alone, they’ve experienced wild success, with last year’s attendance reaching more than 1,000 people.
This year will be no exception, with Native artists presenting a wide array of impressive artworks available for purchase. Find masterpieces like Amanda Beardsley’s (Hopi/Laguna/Choctaw) contemporary mixed media works such as Anime Thoughts with Pueblo Pots, which incorporates collaged elements, mixing pop culture with traditional Native pottery. Roxanne Swentzell (Santa Clara), featured artist for the festival for another year, shows her clay and bronze figure sculptures, relaying a spectrum of emotions and moods; while Joshua Martinez (San Ildefonso) paints his unique vision on skateboard decks; and Kimberly Lee (Navajo) of her brand “Nizhoni,” features her one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces made from upcycled leather.
Amanda Beardsley (Hopi/Laguna/Choctaw), Anime Thoughts with Pueblo Pots, mixed media on wood panel, 9 x 12”
Kicking off the festival is the Pueblo Fashion Showcase on Friday, August 19 at 12 p.m. Hours for the festival are Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, August 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
August 19-21, 2022
Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival
Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail,
Santa Fe, NM 87506, (505) 455-5054, www.poehcenter.org/pathways/
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