The Poeh Cultural Center is in celebration mode for its 35th anniversary of supporting and uplifting the arts in Native American communities, The center emphasizes the “arts and cultures of all Pueblo People, focusing on the Tewa-speaking Pueblos of Pojoaque,” reads the center’s website. In honor of its many years of service, the center hosts an array of spectacular programming for their third annual Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival, in tandem with Indian Market.
Roxanne Swentzell (Santa Clara Pueblo), The Space Between Us, clay, 10 x 15”
“We’re a tribal-led organization on tribal land for tribal people,” explains Poeh executive director Karl Duncan, “[so] we understand where the artists are coming from and we hope to provide an appropriate space and venue for them. Pathways started from the pandemic to support Native artists; to help them financially and showcase their work during Indian Market. The festival has grown every year.”
Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival will be held at the Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino on the same weekend as Santa Fe Indian Market. Pathways aims to remain less competitive than Indian Market when it comes to awards and honors, and prefers to stay “community-based—supporting the culture and community first,” says Duncan.
In addition to an increase in artist participation, with more than 350 booths and close to 400 artists in attendance this year, Pathways’ special programming has also grown. “We’re expanding our film programming,” Duncan shares, “and we’ll have some of the best Native filmmakers and actors coming by the festival. We’ll be screening television shows and independent films that are free to the public, followed by panels of discussion.”
Piivahoya Dance Group performs at last year’s Pathways event.
For the 2022 film program, the festival screened the movie Prey, the newest addition to the Predator series. This year attendees can expect another big-name movie, with a title announcement to be made soon and shared on the center’s website. The screening is free.
Additional programming includes dance performances, with more than 30 performers gracing both indoor and outdoor stages. Held at the start of the festival, on Friday, August 18, at noon, will be the much-anticipated fashion show. “Our Native fashion showcase utilizes our local pueblo fashion designers,” Duncan says. “They are bit more traditional with a blend of contemporary in their work.”
Joshua Martinez (Navajo), Untitled, acrylic on Canadian maple skateboard deck, 8½ x 31¾”
Acoma artists Brenda Cerno and Daisy Lewis talk to customers at the 2022 festival.
There will also be food booths, music and activities for children across the three-day event. “We’re a bit different than a lot of the other venues in the area,” says Duncan. “We have easy-to-find, free parking, the venue is air conditioned inside and we provide free Wi-Fi to artists. The entirety of the festival is also free and open to the public.”
For additional information and programming details, please visit www.poehcenter.org/markets/pathways.
August 18-20, 2023
Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival
Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506
(505) 455-5040, www.poehcenter.org/markets/pathways
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