Contemporary Native American Crafts

Pueblo pottery courtesy
of Robert F. Nichols

The annual Santa Fe Indian Market in mid-August in Santa Fe is considered by many to be the premier showcase of contemporary native American art and crafts, drawing participants from all over the continent. This juried show confers prestigious awards in all mediums, in both traditional and innovative categories. Other tribal events, such as the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial each August, also include exhibitions. Traditional crafts are a major source of livelihood for many of the Pueblos, and are well represented by many galleries and dealers.

The Institute of American Indian Arts has for decades drawn talented students from throughout the Indian world, and has sown the seeds of contemporary fine arts activity. The school has recently fielded a beautiful new museum one block east of the downtown Santa Fe Plaza. For more than two decades, art galleries have solidly supported current trends, establishing the leading market for groundbreaking Indian painters and sculptors. The top few of these artists have achieved international mainstream status.

Collecting Indian Pottery
Indian Fetishes
Ledger Drawings — Then and Now
Turquoise — The Fallen Skystone

What Does This Indian Symbol Mean?
Where Gods Come & Go: Navajo Sandpaintings
With a View to the Southwest: Dorothy Dunn