Shopping: Virtual Winter Indian Market

This year, you can shop for one-of-a-kind pieces from Indigenous artists from around the U.S. and Canada without having to leave your house. The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts in Santa Fe (SWAIA), the nonprofit for supporting Native American artists and culture, has moved its annual Winter Indian Market online.

The two-week online market lets you buy direct from the artists and goes live in time to allow enough time for shipping and delivery.

Summer Rain Beauty, Robert Patricio, Acoma Pueblo. The materials used are traditional clay, sand stone paints, wild spinach, gourd, and paint brush made with human hair. The technique used is hand-coiling and hand-painting.

"Honoring Our Medicines" Buffalo Horn Belt, Kevin Pourier, Oglala Lakota. Buffalo horn carved, inlaid and textured. Inlaid with Malachite, Mother of Pearl, sandstone, coral. lapis, turquoise. Stones and shells are crushed and mixed with a resin and inlaid into a channel that I carve into the horn. Texturing is done one dot at a time. The Lady bug represents the pollinators and that connection. Lady bug is carved as part of the horn and is inlaid with Orange sandstone and mother of pearl.

Ute, Nocona Burgess, Comanche. Acrylic on canvas

Chaveyo Ogre, Donald Sockyma, Hopi. Carving knives, sandpaper, acrylic water color paint, temperaturized wood burner, linseed oil, and cottonwood root. Technique: This carving is made from a one-piece carving technique.

"Stay Back, Your Final Warning", Robert Whitehair Begay, Navajo. Sterling silver, leather bolo cord, and natural lone mountain turquoise.

Ping Owingeh Series, Mateo Romero, Pueblo. Oil on canvas

My Water, Your Water, Kelly Church, Matche-be-Nash-she-wish Band. Plaited with Fine Silver Overlay, Cross Cross pattern black sinew. Black ash, Sweetgrass, Rit, Vial With Water from Lake Michigan.

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The shopping kicks off on the SWAIA website on Black Friday, November 27, and continues through December 11, 2020. There will be a wide range of artwork for sale, including pottery, jewelry, and ornaments, all from 2020/2021 juried artists. Among the high-end painters participating are Nacona Burgess and Mateo Romero.

“The commitment of Virtual Winter Indian Market is to create another opportunity for SWAIA’s Indigenous artists to sell work and connect with collectors around the holiday gift giving season. We’re excited that many of our artists may have a first-time opportunity to participate virtually,” says SWAIA executive director Kim Peone, a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes/Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

SWAIA’s purpose is to create economic and cultural opportunities for Native American artists via developing programs and events that support, promote and honor them and their work. Each summer, SWAIA produces the Santa Fe Indian Market, the biggest and most prestigious Indian art event in the world since 1922.

War Music Series 2 Female on Horseback, Mateo Romero, Pueblo. Mixed media on canvas

Kéet S'aaxw, James P. Johnson, Tlingit Dak'aweidi Clan. Carving, red cedar, abalone insets, horse hair, deer hide.

First Winter Storm, Gloria Fain, Navajo. Upright wooden loom, handwoven, merino sheep.

Parade Gloves, Leslie Bitsie Jr. Bead and quill work.

Aunt Becky, Le’Ana Asher, Keweenaw Bay/ Anishinaabe. Oil on canvas

Power Horse, Nocona Burgess, Comanche

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But Wait. There’s More.
Sawmill Market Hosts Artisan Pop-Up Market Weekends In December

In Albuquerque, the New Mexico Artisan Market has expanded into a series of weekend pop-ups, which are taking place at Sawmill Market every weekend through December 27. The Artisan Pop-Ups will feature local Indian artists selling a range of handmade pieces, including art, furniture, pottery, jewelry, soaps and candles.

It’s not online, but you can find each week’s featured artists on the Sawmill Instagram via stories with each artist tagged, so shoppers can browse that way.

Sawmill Market is New Mexico’s first artisan food hall. Located in Albuquerque’s historic Sawmill District, the market is open daily 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offers plentiful food choices — meats, pastries, pasta, chocolates, and much more — with indoor and outdoor seating and lots of carry-out choices.

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The New Mexico Artisan Market was launched by the New Mexico Multi-Cultural Foundation and Heritage Hotels & Resorts, Inc. in 2018 to strengthen the creative economy by supporting and promoting local talent. Sawmill Market is located at 1909 Bellamah Ave. NW in Albuquerque.