Here at International Artist Publishing, we publish five titles (including Native American Art) that cover nearly every aspect of American art. So, I can say this with confidence: there are no events in the country quite like Native American art markets. Not in terms of size, number of artists, number of works and quality of work. For example, we cover a large number of shows that hover around 100 and 200 exhibitors. Now look at this year’s Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, which has more than 600 artists. And not just any artists, but the top artists in their fields: the best basket makers, the best potters, the best silversmiths, the best bead artists, the best weavers and many others.
I say this not because it’s a competition—all of the shows we cover across our titles are important—but just to illustrate the concentration of talent, skill and culture that comes together at a Native American market like the one hosted by the Heard Museum. These are not just shows, but communities of creative people united by their cultural heritage to preserve and protect Native American art. And on March 7 and 8, that community returns to Phoenix to once again celebrate this vital art movement.
If you have never been to the Heard Museum for its Indian Fair & Market, let me encourage you to attend this year. The market lasts two full days, but there are also many other events and activities around Phoenix to keep you as busy as you want to be. The Heard Museum certainly has plenty to offer, but then there are also nearby galleries, museums and other art-centric destinations. Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the country, so there is no shortage of sites to see. Phoenix is also uniquely positioned as one of the hubs of the Southwest, with quick access to many national parks, cultural heritage sites and reservations, as well as to its neighbor New Mexico. Native American art runs strong throughout Arizona. It’s existed here for thousands of years.
Attending the market also brings you closer to this wonderful community of artists, collectors, curators, family and friends. As someone who goes to a lot of shows, take it from me: there’s nothing like this community anywhere else in the world.
Michael Clawson
Executive Editor
mclawson@nativeamericanartmagazine.com
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