The Inn of the Governors welcomes a full house (many of those being repeat guests) each year for the Santa Fe Indian Market. Santa Fe visitors get to enjoy the Southwestern Association of Indian Art (SWAIA) market’s 94th year beginning today, August 17 with the Native Cinema Showcase and ending Sunday, August 23rd with the Indian Market After-Party.
SWAIA’s market brings together artists from the United States and represents the world’s largest Native American arts show. We are quite blessed that this event takes place in Santa Fe and I invite you to read through the following paragraphs to plan your visit.
Today, Monday, August 17 at 7pm marks the beginning of this year’s Native Cinema showcase with Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner. Here’s the link for the full schedule. Screenings are FREE, but seating is on a first come, first serve basis. Just walk three blocks north of the Inn and view any of these showcased films at the New Mexico History Museum auditorium. There’s something for everyone, from children to adults, and each will find one film that touches them in a very memorable way.
On Thursday, August 20 join revelers in the Indian Market 2015 Kick-off party from 8pm-10:30pm at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center (SFCCC). This event is also free and open to the public.
The Best of Show Ceremony and Luncheon takes place on Friday, August 21 from 11:30am-2pm at the (SFCCC) and tickets are available to all SWAIA members at 505-983-5220 x232. Also, if you are a SWAIA member you can get the Sneak Preview at 5:30pm-7:30pm at the SFCCC. This allows for the early preview of the Santa Fe Indian market award winning art that the artists have brought this year. General public preview begins at 7:30pm and lasts until 9:30pm.
At last, the full market opens on Saturday, August 22 and runs both weekend days with fun filled events on the plaza and surrounding streets; including music, fashion shows and artisans displaying their best work. Arrive early, (some do as early as 7am) and stay late to experience the full cultural exchange of this weekend. Here’s the link for specific lineups and times of the weekend events. I’ve also included this link to Frequently Asked Questions as I found it to be very helpful in detailing just what Santa Fe Indian market is. Enjoy the week and be sure to check out the special events happening at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the NM Museum of History, the numerous events at the Museum of Contemporary Native American Arts - all in connection with the Santa Fe Indian Market week.
Safe travels, Deb Swanson
