In 2003, a small folk art exhibition, “Focus Folk Art’, began at the Clay Angel pottery store in Santa Fe. Four co-founders helped this small art exhibit grow into an internationally renowned non-profit that continues to change the lives of folk artists around the world.
The International Folk Art Alliance begins this year’s IFAM – Santa Fe celebrations with International Folk Art week, July 6 – 13. Visit the Museum of International Folk Art for the following informative and fun-filled events (Museum admission required):
Sunday, July 6, from 1pm-4pm, join the MoIFA for the opening of “Between Two Worlds: Folk Artists Reflect in the Immigrant Experience.” There will be a reception with samples from Santa Fe’s most popular immigrant owned restaurants and also live music, in the atrium, from 2pm-4pm with Savor (Cuban street music). This event is FREE to NM residents.
On Monday, July 7, you might enjoy Mikio Toki’s Japanese kite making demonstration. From 1pm-4pm, you can make your own Japanese butterfly kite to take as a memory of this special event. While you are there, we highly recommend visiting the exhibition Tako Kichi: Kite Crazy in Japan. Good for children of all ages.
Tuesday, July 8, from 1pm-4pm you can take part in tracing you own family history with artist demonstrations by Catalina Delgado Trunk, Gasali Adeyamo and Cabordino Mustafa Jetha. NOTE: For this day and the rest of the week, parking will be by shuttle only to Museum Hill. You may park at the First Baptist Church, on Old Pecos Trail, today and hop aboard the shuttle.
Wednesday, July 9, we recommend two special events. From 8:30am – 10am, join artist, Luis Tapia, the curator and team members of the Gallery of Conscience at Museum Hill café for breakfast. Afterwards, move to the MoIFA to join them for discussion regarding the exhibit of “Between Two Worlds: Folk Artists Reflect in the Immigrant Experience.” Call Stephanie Riggs for reservations at (505) 476-1215. From 1pm-5pm, create your own painting with Cenia Gutierrez Alfonso (from Cuba), Lama Gyurme (from Tibet) and hear of their experiences.
The International Folk Art Market festivities begin Thursday, July 10, from 5pm-9pm at the Santa Fe Railyard Park. This is a vibrant, colorful event that is FREE for the whole community. There is the artists’ procession, international foods from various vendors, artist demonstrations, hands-on activities for kids of all ages and a concert by Colombian band – Las Alegres Ambulancias. Such an amazing event! A “must attend” before the special events on the weekend begin.
Do you have your tickets? IFAM – Santa Fe tickets are limited, so Buy Now to secure your place in this global celebration.
Early bird market opens at 7:30am and lasts until 9am on Saturday, July 12. $50 includes the all-day, fun filled events. From 7am-9am, enjoy Mario Reynolds, on the market stage, playing the Andean Flute as you peruse the array of global art. At 9am the event opens to general admission ($15 in advance or $20 day of event). Are you with someone who is 16 or under? They get in for FREE Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy international food and music, artist demos and possibly, most probably, purchase that “one of a kind” folk art to remember this amazing event in years to come. The artists you support take home 90% of their sales. This gives them the opportunity to feed and educate their families and to build schools and wells in their communities.
If you are unable to make the Saturday event, it’s not a problem. Join the artists on Sunday, July 13, as well from 9am-5pm.
A reminder – there is no parking at Museum Hill during this event. Here is the link on how to get to the market for FREE on the various shuttles that run each day. Also, your tickets get you into the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the Santa Fe Botanical Garden. Come early and stay all day!
We are very lucky that a handful of visionaries were able to bring together so many volunteers and community members to create this extremely vibrant market which helps to empower so many international artists and their communities. Well done! Safe travels, Deb Swanson
