Valley of the Sun

The Heard Museum Fair & Market returned to Phoenix for the 67th edition of the popular event.

On March 1 and 2, the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market returned to the campus of the Heard Museum in Phoenix. Tens of thousands of guests convened on Central Phoenix for the popular and respected annual event. By the end of the show, spirits were high as collectors left with new purchases and artists took stock of the artwork they had left.

Visitors browse the award winners during the Best of Show Reception.

“I’m having a great weekend,” said painter Beverly Blacksheep during the Sunday portion of the market. Blacksheep was the cover artist for the February/March issue of Native American Art magazine. “People have been stopping by all day. I have a great spot, so they could see me easily. Some of them brought their magazines to show me. It’s be a very exciting weekend, with lots of people interested in my work.”

More than 600 artists were on hand for the market, many of them spread out equally in rows of covered booths or large tents that were filled with visitors browsing from table to table. The fair is the second-largest Native American market in the country, behind only Santa Fe Indian Market in August. This year the Heard celebrated its 67th market. In addition to the artist booths, the market features musical and dance performances, and other programming. The museum is also open and free to all market attendees, which brings fresh attention to its permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions.

Rebecca Lucario (Acoma Pueblo) with her award-winning plate, Four Season & North Star, which won best of show.

Artist Janet Yazzie, right, with a guest in her booth.

A dancer performs during one of the cultural events at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market.

Acoma Pueblo potter Rebecca Lucario won the best of show prize with her Acoma plate titled Four Season & North Star. When she heard the news that she had won, she went through a brief period of disbelief. “I’m a lot calmer now than when I first found out I won,” Lucario said on the last day of the market. “I’ve never won best of show. I’ve never even entered here at the Heard… I was speechless when they told me and I didn’t know what to say. I still can’t believe it. It’s slowly sinking in.”

Painter Karen Clarkson with here ribbon-winning piece (center top with orange circle and figure).

Native American Art co-publisher Adolfo Castillo, right, with Beverly Blacksheep, the cover artist for the February/March 2025 issue of Native American Art.

With beautiful weather, strong sales and the best art all in one place, the 2025 edition of the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market had much to be proud of. The market returns March 7 and 8, 2026.