On the Eve of Indian Market

We are in Santa Fe for the annual Indian Market weekend and will be reporting on our

experiences, including winners of the artist competition.

Tonight is the annual Wheelwright Museum silent auction. Always lots of fun and occasionally we actually win pieces at good prices. We'll let you know.

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SWAIA reveals 2010 Indian Market Poster Artist

This blog is devoted to tribal art from many different cultures.
The sponsors, TribalWorks. com, ZuniLink.com, Native-PotteryLink.com and Native-PotteryLink.com, try to deal with all of them representatively. Today's subject relates to Native American art and one of the most respected voices in its support.

Breaking with a tradition of naming new and emerging artists as the Indian Market Poster Artist of the Year, Southwestern Association for the Indian Arts has announced that Geronima Cruz Montoya, venerated Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan) artist's work will be honored on this year's poster.

Montoya, who will be 95 during the month following Indian Market, has been both a legend and an institution in Native American art. Her painting that will appear on the poster depicts a number of young Indian women engaged in typical Pueblo crafts. Each wears traditional clothing while they create pottery, weave, embroider and work on moccasins. The painting was created in 1938. The original hangs in the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.

Montoya's appointment and the poster design were revealed at a special luncheon in Santa Fe on February 10, 2010. She is quoted in the Santa Fe New Mexican as reflecting that "doing the old things brings back memories from years ago, the things that just aren't done much any more."

For more information about Montoya's colorful like, which has been devoted to art, use this link http://www.santafenewmexican.com

This development leads me to wonder if recent awards at Indian Market didn't push the edge of traditional Indian art a little too far into the non-traditional. I recall thinking that numerous winners in the past couple of years, while adventurous and thought-provoking, had moved a long way from the subjects and techniques that have characterized the genre in the past. These are aspects that had established a large and vibrant pool of supporters and buyers.

I wonder if push back from buyers who have decided to sit on their purses - for whatever reason - may have played a role in this return to the roots of Native American Indian art.

In any case, I applaud the recognition of more traditional techniques and the honor bestowed on Geronima Cruz Montoya, who deserves it.

What do you think?

Top 13 Native American Art Events in early 2009

Native Trails: A Celebration of Native American Culture through song, dance, art and food. Scottsdale, (AZ) Civic Center Mall,

January 15 – April 11, 2009

www.scottsdalenativetrails.com

Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market – Heard Museum, Phoenix (AZ),

March 7 – 8, 2009,

www.heardguild.org

Annual Navajo Weaving Show – Old Territorial Indian Arts, Scottsdale (AZ),

March 5-6-7, 2009,

480-945-5432

Native American Art Festival – Litchfield Park (AZ),

January 10-11, 2009

www.litchfield-park.org

Colorado Indian Market – Merchandise Mart, Denver (CO),

January 23-25, 2009

www.indianmarket.net

Texas Indian Market – Arlington Convention Center, Arlington (TX),

April 3-5, 2009,

www.indianmarket.net

World Championship Hoop Dance Contest – Heard Museum, Phoenix (AZ)

February 7-8, 2009,

www.heard.org

Tribal & Textile Arts Show – Fort Mason Center, San Francisco (CA),

February 13-15, 2009

www.caskeylees.com

Sa’heh’wa’mish Days – Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton (WA),

February 20-21, 2009,

www.little-creek.com

Marin Indian Art Show – Marin Civic Center, San Rafael (CA),

February 21-22, 2009,

www.krmartindale.com

Southwest Indian Art Fair – Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona,Tucson (AZ),

February 21-22, 2009,

www.statemuseum.arizona.edu

Native Treasures Indian Arts Festival – Santa Fe Convention Center, Santa Fe (NM),

May 23-24, 2009,

www.nativetreasuressantafe.org

Tulsa Indian Art Festival – SpiritBank Event Center, Tulsa (OK),

February 13, 14, 15, 2009,

918-749-6073

Here Comes Santa Fe Indian Market

Southwest Association for Indian Arts has announced the schedule for the 2007 Santa Fe Indian Market.

This is almost indisputably the most important exhibit, presentation and competition concerning Native American Indian art in the world.

August 13, 2007 - The Indian Market Benefit at Vanessie Restaurant.
4:30 PM till close

August 17, 2007 - Press Reception for the Award winning Artists. -
4:00 PM - El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe

August 17, 2007 - Award Winners Best of Show Announcement. -
4:30 PM - El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe

August 17, 2007 - Sneak preview of Award Winning Works. -
5:30 PM - El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe

August 17, 2007 - General Preview of Award Winning Art. -
7:30 PM - El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe


August 18, 2007 - Indian Market Commences. -
7:00 AM - The Streets of Santa Fe

August 18, 2007 - Santa Fe Indian Market Gala Auction. -
5:00 PM - La Fonda Hotel

August 19, 2007 - Day Two of Indian Market. -
8:00 AM - The Streets of Santa Fe

August 19, 2007 - Native American Clothing Contest. -
9:00 AM to 12:00 noon - Santa Fe Plaza Gazebo

Tribal Artery will be blogging from Santa Fe Indian Market, including announcements of winners and interviews as they are available.

Now is a good time to subscribe to a feed from Tribal Artery to get the up-to-date news about Indian Market 2007. Simply click on one of the blog feed icons in the right hand sidebar of this blog.