Celebrate the tradition of pottery making as well as the work of top American Indian artists of many media, including jewelry, pottery, weaving, painting, carving and sculpture at the 58th annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market on March 5 and 6.
Artists from across the country will assemble at the Heard and many will demonstrate their talent and display the materials from which their artworks are made. Visitors get firsthand access to artists and can view and purchase handmade, authentic work by the best jewelers, sculptors, painters, potters, weavers, bead workers, katsina doll carvers and basket makers. Fair weekend also includes music by recording artists, cultural dance performances and art demonstrations. The Heard Museum Indian Fair & Market is one of the museum’s largest annual fundraisers, and is presented by the Heard Museum Guild.
The Fair is a world-acclaimed festival that draws more than 15,000 visitors and more than 600 of the nation’s most outstanding and successful American Indian, Canadian First Nations and Alaska Native artists. Among the guests are thousands of collectors from across the country who arrive early to be the first to purchase one-of-a-kind artwork.
But there’s far more to the Fair than just the nation’s very best Native art. In fact, the Fair is the perfect place for families wishing to enjoy a cultural and inexpensive weekend of music, entertainment and food. Kids age 16 and younger get in free, so families can enjoy an array of American Indian music and dance performances in the museum’s outdoor amphitheater throughout the weekend. A variety of foods including American Indian favorites like fry bread, posolé stew, piki bread and Hopi stew as well as a food pavilion. Attend “Hoop Dance 101” with five-time world champion Tony Duncan (Apache/Arikara/Mandan/Hidatsa), where you can learn a few of the hoop dancer’s moves yourself. Observe Native art close up at one of about two dozen different artist demonstrations.
Phoenix’s light rail system makes it easier than ever to visit the Fair for tourists and residents alike. The light rail passes close by to major downtown hotels, and ample parking is available close to light rail stations, so hunting for a parking spot can be a thing of the past.
The full schedule of events during the Fair is available by visiting heard.org/fair, where online tickets also may be purchased.