By Amanda Montgomery

 

Sophie George wears and displays weding items at the Eiteljorg Museum's Indian Market

Distill the beauty and traditions of ancient cultures into a few special days in a feast for the soul and senses. Scatter color everywhere, in clothing, in jewelry, in painting, in weaving, and in pottery and spread out an array of art forms to dazzle the eye. Spice the air with the scents of delicious foods, and add excitement with dances, demonstrations, and music. This is the experience that awaits you at an Indian market.

Markets have been around since the beginning of communal life. Native gatherings brought together cultural expressions and the exchange of crafts and art forms unique to each tribe. Today, these gatherings, open to the public, have become an important means of presenting Indian jewelry and art to a wider audience.

In these, the top ten, you are guaranteed to see excellence and encounter beauty of a multitude of expressions. Learn as much as you can about the art, by reading, viewing, and asking questions of the artists. Go and partake of the art, the food, and most of all, the atmosphere. Once you discover the enjoyment that awaits you at an Indian market, you'll be putting these shows (listed chronologically) on your calendar!



August 12-15, 1999
78th Annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial
Where: Red Rock State Park, Church Rock, New Mexico
Sponsor: Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Assn.
226 West Coal Ave.
Gallup, NM 87301
(505) 863-3896 or (800) 233-4528

The venerable Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial embraces not only the best of Native visual art but also the performing arts. Up to $50,000 is awarded in nine classes of art: Navajo rugs, kachina dolls, Indian jewelry, pottery, baskets, tribal arts, juvenile entries, painting, and sculpture. Artists subject their work to a rigorous application process in seeking the coveted booths.

Proximity to the Navajo reservation makes Gallup a prime venue for Diné rug weavers. The Juvenile Art Show is an additional highlight of the Ceremonial with 15 booths for young artists to show their work.

The Inter-Tribal Ceremonial is equally well known for the performances of colorful traditional dances of the Navajo, Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Aztec, to name a few. Also on the docket are an All-Indian Rodeo, storytelling, and workshops on Native art forms.



August 20-22, 1999
78th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market
Where: The Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Sponsor: Southwestern Association for Indian Art Inc. (SWAIA)
P.O. Box 31066
Santa Fe, NM 87594-1066
(505) 983-5220

The Santa Fe Indian Market is simply the biggest and best sale of American Indian art in the nation, according to both collectors and enthusiasts. Since its inception in 1922, the mission of the market has been to foster quality in Native arts and to provide a reliable commercial outlet for artists. The energy certainly flows on these days: over 75,000 people flock to the Plaza in Santa Fe to view and purchase the work of 1,200 artists. In addition to the highly collectible pots, sculpture, Indian jewelry, and baskets, new works in photography and contemporary clothing design are there for adventurous collectors.

The Southwest Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA), brain trust of the Indian Market, is active throughout the year in supporting Native artists. Fellowships are awarded annually for art supplies and creative development while Lifetime Achievement Awards honor those who have made significant contributions to Native art. A sneak preview of award-winning pieces and a silent auction occur Friday night before the market. Saturday night is the prestigious Gala event at La Fonda hotel with a live auction of specially donated art.



Museum of Northern Arizona Heritage Program Marketplaces
Where: Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, Arizona
Sponsor: Museum of Northern Arizona
3101 North Fort Valley Rd.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(520) 774-5213

13th Annual Zuni Marketplace
September 4-5, 1999
4th Annual Festival of Pai Arts
September 18-19, 1999
67th Annual Hopi Marketplace
July 1-2, 2000
51st Annual Navajo Marketplace
August 5-6, 2000

These four marketplaces, part of the Museum of Northern Arizona's Heritage Program, offer an intimate look at the distinctive qualities of a particular tribe. They present features not present at all-inclusive markets, like a corral of Churro sheep at the Navajo Marketplace and women making piki bread at the Hopi Marketplace.

The Heritage Program was the brainchild of museum co-founder Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton. The markets grew from her passion to preserve Native American arts heritage and provide a profitable venue for artists.

Some 70 artists participate in each of the larger marketplaces (Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo) and a dozen artists in the Pai Festival. Highlights of each market include: Zuni fetishes; Hopi kachina doll carvings and baskets; Navajo rugs, pots, and Indian jewelry; and Pai traditional hunting tools, baskets and beadwork.



December 11-12, 1999
23rd Annual Pueblo Grande Indian Market
Where: South Mountain Park Activity Complex, Phoenix, Arizona
Sponsor: Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary
4619 East Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(602) 495-0901

The Pueblo Grande Museum is primarily an archaeological museum dedicated to the ancient Hohokam lifestyle and culture, but every winter it hosts a lively Indian market. By invitation only, 500-600 artists from 60 plus tribes set up their wares beneath the shade of mesquite trees in South Mountain Park. This market provides great one-of-a-kind gift shopping before the holidays for the 12,000 estimated attendees.

Each year the museum purchases one work of art. The selected piece becomes the image for the following year's market poster and also the grand prize in a fundraising raffle. An Emerging Artist of the Year is chosen, featured in all the publicity surrounding the event, and given a free booth. Proceeds from the Market provide funding for the museum's exhibits and educational programming, and a scholarship for an American Indian artist to attend Maricopa Community College, Arizona.

Events include tribal dances and a mixture of traditional and contemporary musical performances, with a chicken scratch band grand finale.



February 12-13, 2000
4th Annual US West Scottsdale Indian Artists of America Show
Where: Scottsdale, Arizona
Sponsor: Arizona Indian Arts Alliance
P.O. Box 250
Tumacacori, AZ 85640
(520) 398-2226

Although short in years, this art festival is long on experience. Don Owen, creator of the show, was a former executive director of the Santa Fe Indian Market. The creation of this show was based around delivering only the top end of the Indian artists in the country to the marketplace. This invitational Indian market showcases award-winning artists who have been selected Best in Class or Best of Show from the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, the Museum of Northern Arizona Indian Marketplaces, Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival, and Northern Plains Tribal Arts.

Owen is restricting it to a core of 150 decorated artists. They exhibit and sell original pieces in Indian jewelry, pottery, sculpture, paintings, basketry, weaving, and traditional and contemporary clothing.

Festivities include: a Collectors/VIP reception, a contemporary Indian Fashion Show and Sale, and live music, dance and storytelling. In addition, this year's show features Hawk Quest, a live birds of prey show featuring free-flying demonstrations.



March 4-5, 2000
42nd Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market
Where: Heard Museum, Phoenix, Arizona
Sponsor: US West
2301 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 252-8840

"Being biggest isn't the goal," says Ann Marshall, director of research and interpretation for the Heard Museum. "It's for everybody involved -- artists and visitors -- to enjoy the experience and have a chance to talk." This prestigious event, put on mostly by volunteers, brings together first-rate artists and eager collectors. Many of the nearly 500 artists who participate are invited back year after year, lending the market the air of an extended family reunion.

Prominent artists such as Allan Houser and Maria Martinez came to the fair for years even after they had gallery representation. Winning a coveted award at the market can make a significant impact on a career.

The fair is held in the museum's expanded facilities. Visitors can enjoy new exhibition galleries, sculpture courtyards, and a beautifully re-designed outdoor amphitheater.

Augmenting the visual arts are numerous traditional performing groups. Not to be missed is the amazing athleticism of the finalists of the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest.



June 9-11, 2000
14th Annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival
Where: Myriad Convention Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Sponsor: Red Earth Inc.
2100 NE 52nd St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73111
(405) 427-5228, e-mail: redearth@sprynet.com
web: www.redearth.org

The scope of the Red Earth Festival is mind-boggling: Last year's festival featured 1820 participants: 250 artists, 1429 dancers, and 141 musicians/presenters/performers. Over 114 Native American nations, tribes, and bands from North America were represented. Some $900,000 in prize money has been awarded since the festival's inception. More than 100,000 people converge on downtown Oklahoma City, many of whom have attended the past festivals.

The heartbeat of the Red Earth Festival is the drum, its pulse the jingle dancers, its voice an elder storyteller, and its touch the hands of the artists.

Festivities commence with a parade through downtown. Performers in full regalia walk accompanied by the beat of marching bands. Colorful floats join the procession, and stylish vintage automobiles convey festival dignitaries.



June 10-11, 2000
17th Annual Indian Fair
Where: San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego, California
Sponsor: San Diego Museum of Man
1350 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-2001

Outside, the palm trees sway in the gentle Pacific Coast summer breeze. Inside, the museum's halls are humming with artists setting up their displays and Native dancers practicing steps in preparation for performances in the open air courtyard. Over 10,000 people walk through the museum's doors over the weekend intent on viewing artists' demonstrations and collecting quality Indian jewelry, pottery, basketry, beadwork, clothing, quilts, textiles, sculpture, masks, fetishes, and paintings.

Last year's line-up of entertainment included the Zuni Rainbow Dancers, Blackfeet flutist and flute maker Troy De Roche and spellbinding storytelling sessions by Metis artist and author Liz De Roche.

Southern Californians have an opportunity to get a glimpse of what life was like for the indigenous Kumeyaay people before the coming of the high-rises, condos, and naval ports. A special museum exhibit shows cultural artifacts and portrays aspects of pre-colonial life.



June 24-25, 2000
8th Annual Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market
Where: Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana
Sponsor: Eiteljorg Museum
500 West Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2707
(317) 636-9378

In the capital of Indiana where you might expect to find a museum dedicated to agriculture, is, instead, a first-class museum devoted to America's West. Harrison Eiteljorg left his midwestern home in the 1940s in search of coal. In New Mexico, he found that and a passion for Western heritage. Over a lifetime he amassed an impressive collection of art, from cowboy paintings and sculpture to traditional Native American arts. This collection is housed in the Eiteljorg Museum.

The Midwest's biggest Indian market is held on the weekend after Father's Day on the grounds of the Eiteljorg. Nationally known jurors conduct a review of slides and select 130 artists representing 50 tribes to participate, with prizes awarded in 39 categories. More than 8,000 visitors can expect to see pottery, clothing, Indian jewelry, painting, sculpture, drums, baskets, and prints. A Preview Party enables guests to get a first glimpse of award-winning works and to talk with the artists over dinner.

Each year the Market highlights a different culture, in an effort to educate visitors to the multitude of Native lifestyles. In 1999, Northwest Coast Indians took center stage with traditional performances by the Tsimshian Haayuuk Dance Group, and members of the Tillicum Village of Seattle smoked salmon over an open fire.


July 15-16, 2000
29th Annual Eight Northern Pueblos Artists & Craftsman Show
Where: Northern New Mexico
Sponsor: Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
P.O. Box 969
San Juan Pueblo, NM 87566
(800) 793-4955

From modest beginnings in 1972, the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Arts and Crafts Show has grown to a premiere Southwestern art market featuring the work of over 1,500 artists. Elaine Filbert, organizer, attributes the current success of the show to several factors: "First, we appreciate the attitude of the artists who participate, bringing their finest work. Another reason I think the show is popular is that it's run by Native Americans themselves."

Some 35,000 visitors to Northern New Mexico have an opportunity to view prize-winning beadwork, clothing, drums, Indian jewelry, pottery, painting, and weaving. Top accolades have previously been bestowed upon Lonnie Vigil (Nambe) and Toni Roller (Santa Clara).

A few of the activities surrounding the show are a silent auction the night before with proceeds going to the Youth College Scholarship Fund and the Youth Arts and Crafts Show Awards; the Po'Pay Foot Race honoring the San Juan Pueblo leader who organized the 1680 Pueblo Revolt; and the Buffalo, Deer, Rainbow, and Corn Dances during the weekend.

Copyright ©1999 Cowboys & Indians


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