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Where It's At
Santa Fe can be a shopper's paradise at the best of times.
With its concentration of galleries and works of art for sale,
plus a Native American influence producing stunning jewellery,
woven textiles and pottery, the shopping enthusiast can find
a million ways to part with their cash. The only downside
is that sometimes, with so much to choose from and so much
range in pricing, you may unknowingly end up buying second-rate,
imitation goods.
Spotting a Good Buy
The beauty of the Santa Fe Indian Market is that artists
and stall holders must pass rigorous quality control and authenticity
checks before they are permitted to participate in the event.
In fact, not only does the art work have to be authentic,
but so must the artist - only real Indians are allowed to
participate, and entrants must submit to having their family
tree and tribal standing checked out. Art experts also conduct
on-site inspections throughout the market to ensure that quality
control is maintained during the event. The result is a massive
display of work that is truly breathtaking. Unfortunately,
so are the prices, but better to pay through the nose and
have the satisfaction of knowing that not only are you purchasing
the real thing but that the middleman has been cut out and
you are purchasing straight from the artist.
What Happens at the Market
The market recently celebrated its 80th year. Established
in 1922 to encourage continuity in traditional Indian arts
and crafts and to provide artists, buyers and gallery owners
with a forum, it is the oldest and largest juried Native American
art show and market in the world. Held every year - the weekend after the 3rd Thursday of August - the event showcases the
work around 1,200 artists from 100 different tribes in around
600 booths, both in and around the town's central plaza. An
approximate 100,000 visitors come from all over the world
to meet the artists, to buy or simply to browse and admire
(admission is free). Accommodation over this weekend is at
a premium, so be prepared to book months in advance.
On the Friday night before the opening of the market, the
Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, which sponsors the
Indian Market, hosts a preview and awards presentation. To
get in to see this, you need to be a member of the Association
- it's well worth paying the $50 joining fee so that you can
get a look-in at the best of the show and get more of an insight
into Native American arts and crafts.
Of course, the winning pieces announced on the Friday night
are often quickly snaffled the minute the market opens on
Saturday morning - in fact, most of the best pieces are -
and Saturday afternoon often sees stall holders packing up
because they have been completely cleared out of stock. Sunday
is a bit less frantic, with the opportunity to bargain on
unsold pieces - not encouraged by the organisers, but common
nonetheless.
What's in Store
Silver jewelry inlaid with turquoise, ceramics and
pottery, which differ in style and design from pueblo to pueblo,
sculptures, paintings and drawings as well as woven rugs,
blankets and baskets. Kachina dolls symbolise sacred
spirits who impact upon the harmony and fertility of the tribes.
The dolls displayed at the Indian Market must comply with
specific tribal tradition. For example, the Hopi Indians carve
the dolls from cottonwood root and present them to the young
Hopi girls at the Bean Dance held each February, as a token
of their religious initiation into the tribe. Consequently,
all Kachina dolls and sculptures displayed by a Hopi Indian
at the Market must be of cottonwood root. Zuni Indians historically
use cottonwood root and/ or boughs in the making of their
Kachinas, so are able to utilise either in their doll works
for the market. All must be painted with traditional colours
using mineral pigments and any inclusion of feathers in dress
must comply with state and federal regulations.
Other restrictions on artwork include an insistence that
all items are handmade. Rugs and blankets must be woven
on native looms, and there is a preference for natural vegetable
and mineral dyes. Jewellery must be handmade of natural materials.
With such rigorous controls in place, producing such high
quality and authentic work, you really can understand the
hefty price tags attached to some of the items.
Even if your wallet is a bit on the lean side, it's worthwhile
and educational just to wander around the market. The distinct
styles and traditions of individual pueblos are more striking
when showcased side by side, and in any case, there are the
occasional bargains to be had if you're alert and lucky. Aside
from the primary activities of buying, selling and exhibiting,
there are also native clothing contests, live musical performances
and dancing to be enjoyed.
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