Last weekend, the Santa Fe Indian Market celebrated 22 anniversaries and the annual event – North American Indigenous artists taking over downtown Santa Fe and showcasing their latest works for sale – continues to grow in size. Originally an intimate event held indoors, the market was once dedicated to reviving the art of pueblo pottery making, but today it has grown to include beadwork, featherwork, textiles, ceramics and many other mediums – all from different Tribal artist, style and location. Whether traditional or contemporary in feel, each piece tells a different story and maintains a specific aspect of cultural craftsmanship. (Today, the market is run by the South West Indian Art Association, known as SWAIA).
This year, Indigenous beauty is on full display more than ever before. inside 81 booth, on both sides of the street in the Santa Fe Downtown Plaza, at 94 Artists showcase and sell their new work, some of which take months or entire calendar years to produce. Highlights include one-of-a-kind pieces such as Pat Pruitt’s titanium feather necklace; Maria Samora’s stylish silver ring and bracelet; Featured in Reservation Dogs ; Jontay Kahm’s sculptural goose feather dress; and Elias Jade Not Afraid’s leather cape decorated with bull elk ivory, tusk shells, sable tails and spikes prick.
Stylish tourists – whatever Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal – all wearing their finest turquoise jewellery and beading while browsing these latest offerings. Many serious (and wealthy) international collectors have been known to line up at dawn at the booths of their favorite artists. Many patrons also showed up in style at the Illuminatives: Indigenous Futures event at the nearby La Fonda Hotel, where it was held A special panel discusses appearances from Hollywood Native stars – including Prey’s Amber Midthunder, Zahn McClarnon of Dark Winds
and Jana of Rutherford Falls Schmieding.
Quannah Chasinghorse wears a Lauren Good Day printed duster and dress.
by Shayla Blatchford
from
street style Santa Fe Indian Market.
by Shayla Blatchford
from street style Santa Fe Indian Market.
by Shayla Blatchford
Naiomi Glasses styling bag for Lauren Good Day print dress and tote.
by Shayla Blatchford
River Thomas prints for Lauren Good Day T modeling – shirt and sweatpants. by Shayla Blatchford
Gavi Kay models Skawennati’s Camo Ribbon Pants.
by Shayla Blatchford
Jessica Matten models a ribbon dress for Jamie Okuma. by Shayla Blatchford
by Shayla Blatchford 
