Approximately 120 Native American artists representing more than 50 tribal nations across the United States and Canada will convene at the Eiteljorg Museum over the weekend of June 24 to show and sell their jewelry, pottery, paintings, beadwork, basketry, weavings, carvings and more. This year’s signature piece is by porcupine quill and beadwork artist Monica Jo Raphael (Anishinaabe / Sičáŋğu Lakota).
Pahponee (Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas and Citizen Band Potawatomi), My Fine Feathered Friends, 2022, bronze, 12”
Artist Brandon Adriano Ortiz (Taos Pueblo) discusses his art with a market-goer during the 2022 Eiteljorg Indian Market and Festival. Photo courtesy Eiteljorg Museum
Many of the participating artists also enter their artwork for judging as part of the weekend’s juried art competition, which includes awards and cash prizes across various categories.
Whether you are an avid collector or attending for the first time, one of the most cherished aspects of markets like these is the opportunity to connect directly with artists and learn about their art forms, processes and cultures. These exchanges forge relationships between artists and collectors, and supports individual artists as well as interest in Native art in general.
“The Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market and Festival allows visitors to learn about many different cultures, view artist demonstrations, experience performances with dancers, storytellers and musicians, and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces of art directly from the artist,” says Brandi Crocker, manager of special events and artist engagement. “The mission is to foster an awareness and appreciation of traditional arts and cultures of contemporary Native Americans in an engaging market environment. We are not only giving artists an outlet to sell their art, but we are also educating through cultural presentations, performances and dance.”
Among the wide range of cultural offerings are performances by the Phoenix-based Yellow Bird Dancers, a professional family dance company performing songs, dances and stories; Firefly the Hybrid (Penobscot Nation), a multimedia artist from Maine; Randy, Rykelle and Raven Kemp, a family of storytellers, artists and musicians from the Choctaw, Euchee and Muscogee Creek peoples of Oklahoma; and the Levi Platero Band (Navajo Nation), an award-winning guitar blues and rock group. Visit the museum’s website for a full schedule of performances and events.
“Since its inception in 1993, the annual Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market and Festival has grown in stature to become one of the top Native American art markets in the country, as well as a must-do event on the downtown Indianapolis summer calendar,” says Alisa Nordholt-Dean, vice president for public programs and director of education at the Eiteljorg. “Artists, performers and thousands of market-goers and art buyers have come together at the Eiteljorg to celebrate Native arts and cultures.”
The Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company performs on the outdoor stage at the Eiteljorg Indian Market and Festival in 2022. Photo courtesy Eiteljorg Museum
Monica Jo Raphael (Anishinaabe / Sičáŋğu Lakota), Nuh-Mah-Nuh Daawina Akiin (Homelands of the Comanche People), 2020. Birch bark, natural and dyed porcupine quills, antique and 24k gold Czech seed beads, antique brass thimbles and hawk bells, black fire polished antique glass beads, dyed horsehair, traditionally brain-tanned and smoked deer hide. Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth: Purchased through the Phyllis and Bertram Geller 1937 Memorial Fund; 2022.59. Image courtesy of the artist. © Monica Jo Raphael
June 24-25, 2023
Eiteljorg Indian Market & Festival
Eiteljorg Museum 500 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 636-9378, www.eiteljorg.org
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