We love the city different at any time of year, it’s especially glorious and art-filled around August’s Indian Market.
Late summer is the apex of Santa Fe’s art scene, with tens of thousands of Native arts aficionados flying into this Rocky Mountain town for Santa Fe Indian Market, taking place August 16–17 this year. “Everybody seems to be there for Market,” says Washington state glass artist Dan Friday (Lummi).
More than 1,000 Indigenous artists from an estimated 200 sovereign nations will be exhibiting their paintings, pottery, sculpture, and jewelry at this juried art show, now in its 103rd year. “As a Native person, I just really love seeing a community like that,” says Friday, who used to have a booth on the downtown plaza but now shows at Blue Rain Gallery a mile away on Guadalupe, where he’ll be hosting a glassblowing demo. “I’ve met Wes Studi (Cherokee), Graham Greene (Oneida). My favorite is meeting Bobby Dues Wilson (Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota) from the show Reservation Dogs. He’s become a good friend of mine. He was a fan of my work, and I was a fan of his. It was cool to meet. I gave him one of my signature necklaces, and out of the deal I got some great modeling shots from a famous actor.”
Indian Market events — which go on August 13–17 — include a film festival, best-of-show ceremony, gala benefit auction, fashion show, and regalia showcase, the latter organized by Natasha Ashley Brokeshoulder (Diné). “This year I plan to have more photographers on standby, more social media,” says Brokeshoulder, who shows her textiles and beadwork at market. “It’s all about the art; it’s all about the designers — what is new, who got a ribbon. That’s the coolest thing, supporting other artists. And taking over the plaza.”
Satellite shows and artist talks abound around town at this time. The contemporary jewelry exhibition The Stories We Carry — with works by more than 100 Indigenous artists, including a standout concho belt by Denise Wallace (Chugach/Aleut) — continues at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts. “The kind of theme of the exhibition is the way that jewelry acts as a vehicle or a vessel for narrative,” explains guest curator Brian Fleetwood (Mvskoke Creek), who notes that actress Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi/Nimiipuu) has worn jewelry by Keri Ataumbi (Kiowa) on the red carpet, while Reservation Dogs executive producer Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Muscogee) wore a Kenneth Johnson (Muscogee/Seminole) gorget at the Emmys. “[That kind of visibility] has really made it a more desirable thing to collect, right? ‘Oh, Lily Gladstone’s wearing Keri Ataumbi or Tania Larsson (Gwich’in). I better get it.’”
The show Eugenie Shonnard: Breaking the Mold continues at the New Mexico Museum of Art, with the spotlight on this academically trained sculptor who apprenticed with Auguste Rodin, then relocated to New Mexico in 1927 and had a strong influence on the development of the Santa Fe art colony. She’s known for her portrayals of Southwest people and traditions.
“If you’re looking for Native American art, late summer in Santa Fe is the place to be,” Friday says. “It’s just a magical place. I’ve really fallen in love with the Southwest, and Santa Fe has its own energy. One of my favorite memories is I watch the sunset every night I’m there from the Cross of the Martyrs. It’s one of my favorite spots. The view of the Jemez Mountains is amazing.”
Blue Rain Gallery mounts an Indian Market Group Show highlighting contemporary Native art on August 14, with Ryan Singer (Navajo), Jody Naranjo (Tewa), Karen Clarkson (Choctaw), and Spooner Marcus (Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo), along with Dan Friday and others. That will be followed by new glass sculptures by prominent Tlingit artist Preston Singletary August 15–30, and then paintings from Western pop icon Billy Schenck September 12–23.
From our August/September 2025 issue.
PHOTOGRAPHY: All images courtesy of SWAIA.
