The hot-ticket SWAIA Fashion show during Indian Market spotlights Indigenous designers — just one of many scheduled events animating Santa Fe in August.
The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) has an action-packed schedule of events for the 99th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market this August.
This year’s market will be ticketed for the first time in many decades to help observe COVID-safe practices and provide proper social distancing for attendees. The admission fees will also create revenue for the nonprofit organization to expand programming and better serve Indigenous artists while implementing Covid safe practices.
Produced during Santa Fe Indian Market, SWAIA Fashion is the highly acclaimed annual Fashion Show presented by curator and art historian Amber-Dawn Bear Robe (Siksika Nation) since 2014. It is the largest Indigenous fashion show in America.
In the run-up to this year’s big event, Bear Robe announced an international partnership uniting North American Indigenous fashion leaders, including SWAIA Indigenous Fashion, Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (IFWTO), Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW), and the newly established Supernaturals Modelling Agency.
Photography: © Jamie Okuma/Courtesy designer
Together, the four organizations will strengthen the international impact and visibility of Indigenous fashion design, embracing IFWTO’s mission: “presenting works that celebrate Indigenous people and cultures and welcoming innovative and meaningful expression, design, and craftsmanship from designers.”
Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week’s mission is shared by the four organizations: “Contemporary Indigenous fashion mixes the legacy of Indigenous artistry with modern-day high regalia and street styles: It goes beyond surface beauty and highlights how worn identity can build connection and Indigenous values, wisdom, empowerment, and history."
The official schedule of SWAIA Indian Market is below. Gala and Fashion Show tickets are available at swaia.org.
The cost to enter just the market to view art and artist booths is $20 on Saturday and $15 on Sunday. Tickets for students and tribal members with a valid CIB (tribal enrollment number) are $10. There is no charge for children ages 12 and under. Tickets are available at swaia.org.
Friday, August 20
Best of Show Ceremony and Luncheon
This exclusive, members-only event celebrates the top award-winning artists of the year. The event begins with the awards ceremony, followed by a luncheon for the best of show and best of classification winners, their guests, and SWAIA ticket holders. It is also an opportunity to be among the first to see this year’s award-winning artwork.
Time: 11:30 p.m – 2 p.m.
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Luncheon catered by the Cowgirl BBQ
Tickets are available at swaia.org
Members Only: Sneak Peek of Award-Winning Art + Silent Auction
SWAIA members get an early sneak preview of the year’s award-winning art and can bid in a silent auction of the year’s best artwork prior to the market opening.
Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Tickets are available at swaia.org.
General Preview of Award-Winning Art + Silent Auction
The General Preview offers yet another opportunity to preview the Best of Show and Best of Classification artwork ahead of the weekend market. The “General Preview” is the public’s first chance to see Indian Market 2021 artwork and takes place immediately after the Sneak Peak event.
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Tickets are available at swaia.org.
NEW in 2021: The Best of Show Silent Auction
Sponsored by Bob and JoAnn Balzer. This year SWAIA is adding a new auction opportunity for artists and visitors. Artists may choose to enter work submitted for the Best of Show judging into an online silent auction. Bidding starts at the Fair Market Value as determined by the artist. Bidding will start 4:30 p.m. after the “Best of” ceremony and will close promptly at 6:30 p.m. Online bidding will be open to collectors from throughout the world at swaia.org.
Saturday, August 21
99th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market on the Plaza!
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tickets are available at swaia.org.
Market Stages & Dance Performances
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tickets are available at swaia.org.
Indian Market Gala Reception, Fashion Show and Auctions
Fashion Show
This year’s reimagined Gala reception, fashion show, and silent auction will be a ticketed cocktail soirée at the Santa Fe Convention Center’s outdoor courtyard. The Fashion Show will feature new collections by Indigenous designers Delina White (Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) of I Am Anishinaabe, Yolanda Skelton (Gitxsan Nation), and Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo) of ACONAV.
Live Auction
The LIVE auction will be an exclusive offering of five items by featured artists Jamie Okuma, Jeremy Frey, Glenda McKay, Adrian Standing Elk Pinnecoose, and Maria Samora.
Silent Auction
The silent auction bidding will start at 6 p.m and conclude at 8 p.m. The online silent auction will be available to collectors from throughout the world at SWAIA.org.
Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Tickets are available at swaia.org.
Sunday, August 22
99th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market on the Plaza!
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tickets are available at swaia.org.
Market Stages & Dance Performances
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tickets are available at swaia.org.
V.I.P. Indigenous Fashion Show Pre-Party
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Tickets are available at swaia.org.
Indigenous Fashion Show
The Eighth Annual Indigenous Fashion Show will showcase the best in North American Indigenous fashion with collections by Jamie Okuma (Luiseño, Wailaki, Okinawan, and Shoshone-Bannock), Himikalas / Pamela Baker (Musgamakw Dzawada'enuxw/Tlingit/Haida), Orlando Dugi (Diné), and Lauren Good Day (Arikara, Hidatsa, Blackfeet and Plains Cree). Fashion Show ticketholders will be able to shop at the exclusive Indigenous Fashion Trunk Show immediately after. Get tickets early — this event sells out.
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Tickets are available at swaia.org.
NEW in 2021: Indigenous Fashion Trunk Show
The SWAIA Indigenous Fashion Trunk Show is an exclusive shopping event, limited to ticket holders to the Indigenous Fashion Show, and will immediately follow the event. Guests will have the opportunity to buy and order directly from the designers.
Opportunity limited to Indigenous Fashion Show ticketholders.
Time: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
About SWAIA
The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is a nonprofit organization supporting Native American arts and culture. It creates economic and cultural opportunities for Native American artists by producing and promoting the Santa Fe Indian Market, the biggest and most prestigious Indian art event in the world since 1922; cultivating excellence and innovation across traditional and non-traditional art forms; and developing programs and events that support, promote and honor Native artists year-round.
For more on SWAIA, visit their website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Photography: (Cover image) © Lauren Good Day/Courtesy designer
