I had the good fortune to be hired by the Santa Fe Indian Market as an official photographer. Of course, the most enjoyable part of the assignment was talking to the artists, albeit briefly. Many of the booths had large crowds, and I was blessed with a good assistant, Carol, who held the crowds at bay.
(Some were a mite rude; it's a bit of a feeding frenzy around some of the most popular artists.)
The Market attracts over 80,000 visitors each year; some of the more avid collectors, or their representatives, arrive well before the 7:00 AM opening time, even going so far as to camp in front of the booth!
Over 1100 artists show their work. The quality of the artwork ranges from good to world-class. Many of the artists are well-known, with a dedicated following. Some may spend the entire year creating only a few pieces, and show only at Indian Market.
At the center of the Santa Fe Plaza is a stage
featuring an almost constant stream of performances, including music, dancing, and a Native American clothing contest. this year's performances included Mathew Andrae, hoop dancer and musician; poet and singer Joy Harjo; R. Carlos Nakai, and others.
The market's beauty is not confined to the artwork. Many of the artists, and a few of the visitors, are worth appreciation.
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