Holidays in Santa Fe, New Mexico, are magical, with the smell of piñon in the air, holidays lights in the Santa Fe Plaza and every gallery beckoning in collectors to get warm as they browse through some of the best art in the Southwest. The season kicks off with a bang as SWAIA’s Winter Market returns to Santa Fe on November 29 and 30.
The 2023 Winter Market in Santa Fe.
Pottery by Melissa Antonio (Acoma Pueblo). Photo by Gabriella Marks / SWAIA.
The annual Winter Market, a fitting follow-up to the big Santa Fe Indian Market in August, takes place at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, but the action frequently spills out onto the streets around downtown, where galleries, hotels and artists offer unique collecting opportunities for those looking to acquire top-level art by the best Native American artists in the country.
“It is truly a unique holiday gift-buying opportunity for Santa Fe. You’ll see a different set of artists than our August market and different kinds of art objects. We’ve found that people are looking for something smaller, and even priced more affordably, specifically for giving during the holiday season. It’s always a great time to meet new artists and find beautiful new pieces,” says Jamie Schulze (Northern Cheyenne/Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate), SWAIA’s executive director. “It’s also a wonderful time to support small economies. The show is smaller than the August market—it takes up a room at the convention center and not 13 city blocks. But that is also a reason to come out and see it. There is something for everyone.”
Left; An ornament by Lindsey Renea Shakespeare (Mescalero Apache). Photo by Gabriella Marks / SWAIA Right: Pottery by Lorraine Gala Lewis (Laguna/Hopi/Taos). Photo by Gabriella Marks / SWAIA
Jewelry by Robert Johnson (Navajo (Diné)). Photo by Gabriella Marks / SWAIA.
Winter Market is currently on track to bring together more than 175 artists, each with a booth or table within the convention center. It’s a larger number than previous years due to SWAIA maximizing space within the venue. Not only will there be artist tables and buying opportunities, there will also be musical programing featuring talented musicians and dancers. SWAIA is also marking a special occasion: this is the 20th anniversary of Winter Market.
“The overarching response to this event has been incredibly supportive. It’s also a positive experience for the artists, who have the opportunity to talk about their art and also the storytelling component of their work,” Schulze says. “Being able to uplift and also create opportunities as a focus into Native art, that is a key goal of the event.”
Ornaments by Penny Singer (Navajo (Diné)). Photo by Gabriella Marks / SWAIA.
Pottery at a previous Winter Market. Photo by Gabriella Marks / SWAIA
Like it’s larger counterpart in August, Winter Market will feature every aspect of Native American fine art. Although there is no award component to the show, the market will still utilize the core classification system to bring artists into the event. These classifications are pottery, sculpture, jewelry, two-dimensional work, pueblo wooden carvings, textiles, diverse arts, beadwork/quillwork and basketry. The work being offered will be of the highest quality and fit for the best art collections in the country, but due to the holiday atmosphere of the show there will also be more affordable work, perfect for gift-giving opportunities. In the past, these items have included small and miniature works, and also items like ornaments, which often cost anywhere from $20 to $200. These affordable gifts are popular because a collector can acquire small works for themselves or for friends and family members.
Jewelry by Tol-pi-yine Simbola (Picuris Pueblo). Photo by Gabriella Marks / SWAIA.
Outside on the streets of Santa Fe’s downtown district around the plaza, more opportunities await as galleries host holiday shows, special pop-ups and artist demos. Additionally, many restaurants and hotels offer seasonal events, menus and deals for savvy travelers.
“Winter Market is more than a marketplace, it’s a celebration of Native art and a chance to give back to the community that sustains us,” says Schulze.
Market hours run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 29, and on Sunday, November 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. —
November 29-30, 2025
SWAIA Winter Market
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
201 W. Marcy Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
www.swaia.org
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