Santa Fe Art Markets 2012
City of Art Markets
Any visit to Santa Fe is unavoidably filled with art. There is simply too much public art, the number of galleries too great, the artists too plentiful, and the importance of art in the city too critical to miss it. Santa Fe runs on creativity, evidenced by its international stature as an art destination, and also by the variety and quality displayed in its annual art markets.
Each year some of the largest art shows and sales of their kind are held in the city's streets and plazas. Nowhere are there more abundant displays of work by folk artists, Spanish Colonial artists, or Native American artists than at the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, Traditional Spanish Market, and Santa Fe Indian Market.
In addition, highly respected annual shows such as ART Santa Fe and SOFA West: Santa Fe plus specialty markets like Native Treasures, the Ethnographic Art Show, and the Antique Indian Art Show keep Santa Fe filled with the finest in contemporary and traditional art.
Finally, the city's ongoing gallery events, presentations, and exhibitions that take place in association with the large markets as well as year round, create an atmosphere found in few other places.
May 26-27, 2012: Native Treasures Indian Arts Festival - Presented by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Native Treasures now features more than 200 established masters and emerging Native American artists who are specially invited by the museum to represent the best and brightest of the Indian art world. At the Santa Fe Convention Center. www.nativetreasuressantafe.org
July 13-15, 2012: Santa Fe International Folk Art Market - The largest international folk art market in the world, this annual three-day event connects international cultures as established traditional artists from across the globe come together display, demonstrate, and sell their work. The days are filled with international music, food, and customs at beautiful Milner Plaza on Museum Hill. The market makes a true difference as sales from the show positively affect thousands of lives in dozens of countries. It is also one of the key reasons Santa Fe was designated a UNESCO Creative City in Folk Art. On Museum Hill. www.folkartmarket.org
July 13-15, 2012: (dates to be confirmed) 12th Annual Art Santa Fe - International galleries mix with U.S. galleries to create a powerful collection of art from around the world featuring the work of hundreds of artists. The salon-booth format, artist-styled VIP lounge, grand concourse, prestigious ART Santa Fe presents lecture series, and numerous cultural and educational events make the annual fair a highlight of the summer arts calendar. At the Santa Fe Convention Center. www.artsantafe.com
July 28-29, 2012: Traditional Spanish Market - This popular annual event celebrates the rich Hispanic heritage of Northern New Mexico. The market includes handmade traditional, Spanish Colonial arts created by more than 200 local and regional artists. It is the most significant market of its kind in the country and a cultural immersion with continuous live music and dance, art demonstrations, and regional foods. A contemporary Hispanic Market is held during the same weekend. On the Santa Fe Plaza. www.spanishcolonial.org
August 2-5, 2012: SOFA West: Santa Fe - Long heralded as the nation's premier expo for outstanding contemporary decorative arts and design, this is the third year for SOFA West: Santa Fe. Prominent international galleries and dealers present masterworks bridging the worlds of design and fine arts, showcasing the rich visual heritage of the decorative arts alongside new, innovative expressions. At the Santa Fe Convention Center. www.sofaexpo.com
August 10-11, 2012 29th Annual Whitehawk Ethnographic Art Show - An annual show with more than 150 dealers, featuring Oceanic, Pre-Columbian, Spanish Colonial, African, Oriental, Indonesian, and other ethnographic art from around the world. At the Santa Fe Convention Center. www.whitehawkshows.com
August 9-14, 2012: 34th Annual Whitehawk Invitational Antique Indian Art Show - One of the largest and longest running shows for historic antique Indian art, featuring a wide range of indigenous art treasures. At the Santa Fe Convention Center. www.whitehawkshows.com
August 18-19, 2012: Santa Fe Indian Market 2012 - More than 1,000 of the most gifted Native American artists from across North America showcase their work in the 91st annual market. Time-honored forms, innovative contemporary art, fashion, music, dance, and food are all part of the largest Native American art show and sale in the world. The show and sale take place over the weekend but the week prior is filled with activity including the Best of Show Ceremony and Luncheon and numerous events at galleries and other locations around town. On the Santa Fe Plaza and side streets. www.swaia.org
November 24-25, 2012: 2012 SWAIA Santa Fe Winter Indian Market - The 7th Annual winter version of the summer's largest Native American art market, with at least 200 artists and the same high quality work. At the Santa Fe Convention Center. www.swaia.org
December 1-2, 2012: Winter Spanish Market - An annual winter market following the theme of the summer's Traditional Spanish Market. The work of hundreds of artists in traditional Spanish Colonial forms is showcased including pieces in straw appliqué, tin work, and retablos. This is artwork not found anywhere else in the country in this quantity or quality except at the summer Spanish Market. At the Santa Fe Convention Center. www.spanishcolonial.org
