In an effort to raise scholarship support for its students and its prestigious museum, the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, the Institute of American Indian Arts will host its “summer tradition” known as the 2024 IAIA Benefit & Auction. This year’s showcase, titled Scholarships Shape Futures, begins with an online auction, followed by a live auction of pieces donated by renowned IAIA artist alums and supporters.
Estella Loretto (Jemez Pueblo), Unfolding Blessings, silver, sleeping beauty turquoise, gold, set of necklace, earrings and ring. Photograph courtesy of IAIA. Photography by Kitty Leaken.“The 2024 IAIA Benefit & Auction is our most significant fundraiser of the year for student scholarships, assisting us in achieving our mission to empower creativity and leadership in Indigenous arts and cultures,” says IAIA president Dr. Robert Martin (Cherokee Nation). “We want to raise awareness of the challenges faced by Indigenous students and the important role that scholarship support plays.”
The online auction, presenting 50 contemporary artworks by around 40 Native American artists, opens to bidders July 24 through August 14 at 6:30 p.m. Both the live and online artworks—including jewelry, pottery, paintings, sculptures, signed literary works and more—are available for viewing in person from July 25 to August 12 at the auction art preview held at the MoCNA. After this, the artwork will be moved to La Fonda on the Plaza, where 2024 IAIA Benefit & Auction ticket holders can view the works in person.
With the live auction date landing on Wednesday, August 14, during Indian Market week when many alums, donors and collectors visit Santa Fe, “it is a high-profile, festive and fun event,” Martin adds. “Not only is it a gathering to celebrate IAIA and contemporary Indigenous arts, but it also serves as a reunion for the IAIA community and our supporters.”
The live auction will see an abundance of esteemed Native American artists’ works, like that of jewelry artist Estellla Loretto (Jemez Pueblo), a 1972 IAIA alumna. Her impressive necklace, earring and ring set, Unfolding Blessings, is an example of Loretto’s clean and serene style. “[This set] represents the gift of every moment—to be mindful of our thoughts and choices as it affects our future,” says Loretto. “The design is a very simple, stylized expression of our prayers unfolding, and is a reminder to have gratitude, faith, patience, grace and humility.”
Kathleen Wall (Jemez Pueblo), Carrying Our Story with Purpose (Kindred Spirits), Jemez traditional clay. Photograph courtesy of IAIA. Photography by Kitty Leaken.
Other live works to watch for include Kathleen Wall’s (Jemez Pueblo) clay storyteller figures; Cliff Fragua’s (Jemez Pueblo) sculptural piece Gifts of the Earth; Pat Pruitt’s (Laguna Pueblo and Chiricahua Apache) laser cut stainless steel piece Lightning and Thunder V2; and Robert King’s (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) pottery, the dying of the brightness.
“No other institution has had a greater impact on the modern Indian art world than IAIA,” shares IAIA Benefit & Auction Emcee, Shane R. Hendren (Navajo Nation). “As an alumnus, I can testify that without the education I received at IAIA, I don’t know that I would have found the success I’ve had in my 30-plus-year career as a professional artist with work in public and private collections around the world.” The artist adds that his mission for the 2024 event is to raise one $1 million for scholarship.
Cliff Fragua (Jemez Pueblo), Gifts of the Earth, 2022, alabaster, stone, marble, magnesite, 23¾ x 19 x 4½”. Photograph courtesy of IAIA. Photography by Addison Doty.
“Bidders who are not present at the event can continue to bid online at www.iaia.edu/bid until the auction closes on August 14 at 6:30 p.m.,” explains event organizers. “Event ticket holders will proceed to Lumpkins Ballroom at La Fonda on the Plaza for the evening program, which includes the live auction, dinner and entertainment, and a paddle raise to support IAIA student scholarships.” The August 14 benefit runs from 5 to 9:30 p.m., with the live auction from 8 to 9 p.m.
July 24-August 14, 2024
Online Auction
July 25-August 12, 2024
Auction Art Preview at MoCNA
August 14, 2024
Scholarships Shape Futures: 2024 IAIA Benefit & Auction
La Fonda on the Plaza 100 E. San Francisco Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
www.iaia.edu/shapefutures, (505) 424-2309
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