Nothing brings a community together like a market, and this year the S’ed_av Va’aki Museum (formerly Pueblo Grande Museum) will be hosting its 46th market in Phoenix. S’ed_av Va’aki Museum 46th Annual Indian Market will celebrate tradition and culture, and contribute to the museum’s dedication in outreach and education. The market is set to feature 110 Indigenous artists, live entertainment and engaging demonstrations inviting people to not only watch but to also participate, making this market a unique and immersive experience for all those that attend.
Harrison Jim (Navajo (Diné)), cuff with stone inlay.
“Though our name may be different, we are confident that our renewed dedication to educating Arizonans on the history of the land will shine through this year’s market,” says museum administrator Nicole Armstrong-Best. “This event is not just for Native Americans in the community. We challenge all Arizonans to come explore this hands-on learning experience to celebrate the land’s ancestral roots.”
Event goers will get the chance to enjoy live stage performances, view and buy cultural artwork and interact with the artists. Attendees can even create their own works of art and learn from hands-on demonstrations, becoming part of a beautiful and lustrous community that supports S’ed_av Va’aki Museum and keeps its legacy thriving.
Kevin Horace-Quannie (Hopi/Navajo), Untitled, sand on canvas and painted with acrylic paint
“I love to watch people having a great time at the market,” says Katherine Shields, the co-chair for the museum. Remembering the former chairman, Norm Harai, Shields adds, “Norm’s last year, a lady who came with her four kids told him they were ready to leave when her kids discovered the Ki:Him area”—Ki:Him is the O’odham word for village—“and they stayed another three hours because the kids were having so much fun.”
The market also continues its annual tradition of featuring a particular artist who has showcased exemplary work throughout their career. This year the featured artist is Kevin Horace-Quannie (Hopi/Navajo). His piece Hopi Elements of Water, depicts geometric water symbols that derive from Hopi pottery tile designs and date back to 1890, applying them to the canvas for a more contemporary feeling. The piece will be the face of the event and on display for the whole weekend with the artist available for questions and interviews.
Harrison Jim (Navajo (Diné)), cuff with stone inlay.
“I’m happy to rejuvenate the growth of the museum again,” says Quannie, who has been a part of the market for years and specializes in three different mediums. Quannie also carves katsina dolls as part of his culture and creating pieces for ceremonial use. He has since also worked in paint and bronze, and is always looking for new ways to innovate and level up as an artist.
The S’ed_av Va’aki Museum, which was formerly known as the Pueblo Grande Museum.
The S’ed_av Va’aki Museum 46th Annual Indian Market opens on December 9 and will run through December 10. It is open on both days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
December 9-10, 2023
S’ed_av Va’aki Museum 46th Annual Indian Market
S’ed_av Va’aki Museum
4619 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034
(602) 495-0901, www.pueblogrande.org
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