Santa Fe International Folk Art Market 2010
More than 160 master folk artists from 52 countries have been selected from hundreds of applications to come to the seventh annual Santa Fe International Folk Art Market beginning the evening of July 9, 2010 and running through the July 11. The largest event of its kind in the world, the Market provides an unparalleled chance to collect cultural treasures from around the world, meet the artists who created them, and have a direct and even profound impact on the lives of not only the artists but also their communities.
"The quality of the art this year is exceptional," says Charlene Cerny, Executive Director of the Market. "People are going to be amazed at the treasures they will find from all over the world at the Market this year."
Market goers can also feel good knowing that ninety percent of the sales go home with artists. The proceeds earned at previous Markets have helped to build schools, wells, and health clinics in a number of Third World countries. They have brought food, clothing, and medical care to Sudanese refugee camps, AIDS support in South Africa, and financial independence for Afghan women.
More than 97 percent of participating Market artists come from developing countries where per capita annual incomes range from $250 to $1,500. Many of these artists grapple daily with political, social, and environmental challenges in their home countries points out Judy Espinar, Creative Director and Co-Founder of the Market. "Yet their cultural riches are many and they generously share the beauty, vitality, and cultural values of their homelands through their art."
Nearly half of the participants in the 2010 Market will be new, including artists from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Israel, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Popular artists are returning from other countries including Brazil, Haiti, India, Lao PDR, Niger and Uzbekistan. At the Market, along with booths filled with wonderful art (felt rugs from Kyrgyzstan, tribal garments from China, recycled metal sculptures from Haiti, intricate tie-dyed bandhani garments from India and rebozos (shawls) from Mexico, and woven silk textiles from Lao PDR), visitors can enjoy exotic food and live entertainment everything from Latin-rock to Japanese Shigin chanting to the music and dance of Senegal. It's a readily affordable weekend of global experiences and connections. This summer Santa Fe is also celebrating its 400th Anniversary and summer is considered one of the best times to visit the Land of Enchantment.
WHEN & WHERE:
The seventh annual Santa Fe International Folk Art Market will begin Friday, July 9th with a celebratory opening party, including shopping and dancing, from 6:30-9pm. The Market will continue on Saturday, July 10, 2010, from 7:30 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday, July 11 from 9 AM to 5 PM. Sunday is Family Day, with reduced admission fees of $5 and special activities. The Market is held at Milner Plaza next to the International Folk Art Museum. Please see the website for ticket prices and details: www.folkartmarket.org.
The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market is a results-oriented entrepreneurial 501c3 organization that provides a venue for master traditional artists to display, demonstrate and sell their work. By providing opportunities for folk artists to succeed in the global marketplace, the Market creates economic empowerment and improves the quality of life in communities where folk artists live.
Market Partners include the Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of New Mexico Foundation and New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. In 2009 the Market was invited to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative.
For more information, interview requests, and photos please contact Clare Hertel at 505-474-6783 or email her at clare@clarehertelcommunications.com.
