Santa Fe is happy to celebrate its Native American heritage. The city hosts a lot of great festivals and art shows throughout the year, showcasing the talents and culture of indigenous artists from New Mexico and beyond. Produced by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Native Treasures Art Market is one of the best. This year’s market will take place Memorial Day weekend from May 25 to 27. Here are our tips for making the most of the event.
Get the Event Details
- What: Native Treasures Art Market
- When: Friday, May 25 through Sunday, May 27
- Where: Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W Marcy Street
- Schedule of Events: Check the schedule here.
Sample the Early Champagne Breakfast
Arrive at 8 AM Saturday, May 26, and you can enjoy a champagne breakfast to start the day. The champagne breakfast runs until 10 AM and includes early bird buying.
Consider the Pre-Show Event
A Pre-Show Celebration and Benefit will take place Friday, May 25, from 5 to 7:30 pm at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. The Pre-Show Celebration and Benefit features a special sale of art by well-known and often award-winning artists. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, and a cash bar are available. Tickets for the Friday party are $150.
Taos Pueblo jeweler Maria Samora is the 2018 MIAC Living Treasure and Native Treasures Featured Artist.
Check Out the Featured Artist
This year the market will feature Maria Samora, a jeweler who has made a name for herself with minimalist, elegant, forward-thinking designs. In Samora’s own words, she tries to push Native jewelry beyond the “boundaries and these stereotypes of what people think Native jewelry should be.” As she puts it, her work is designed to be worn as an extension of its owner. Head to the Santa Fe Community Convention Center at 5 PM on Friday during the Pre-Show to see the Living Treasures ceremony honoring Samora.
Show Up on Sunday Morning for the Food
The Native Treasures Street Eats event brings together food trucks from around the state. While the art market is the centerpiece of the festival, Street Eats is worth visiting all on its own. Trucks pull up around 11 AM on Sunday, May 27 to sell churros, burgers, coffee, and more.
Explore the Art at Your Own Pace
The art market focuses on traditional Native American forms like jewelry, pottery, textiles, basketry, and carving. You can also find sculptures and paintings, beadwork, and cutting-edge pieces from artists like Nocona Burgess. The really great thing about the art market is the mix of Native American art built on thousands of years of folk tradition, as well as boundary-pushing work that challenges our ideas of what Native American art can be.
This is one of Santa Fe’s more laid-back festivals, so you don’t have to worry about showing up hours early to find parking. We do advise taking a bus or Uber to beat the traffic on the way out. Just bring plenty of sunscreen and water and your wallet should something catch your eye, and you’re good to go.
