Native American Art Magazine

Divided into four major categories, each bimonthly issue has its own easy-to-find color-coded section. Quickly turn to the section that interests you the most. Each section lists dates and addresses for upcoming events and activities so you don't miss any important shows or sales.

August in Santa Fe

Native American Art Magazine

We Ask Leading Museum Curators About What’s Going On In Their World

FASHION FORWARD • A look at the latest offerings from Indigenous designers shaping the future of fashion.

SANTA FE In August • A calendar featuring various Native American art exhibitions and events in Santa Fe around the month of August.

LASTING IMPRESSIONS • Figural design motifs give expression to Zuni inlay jewelry.

OUR NEXT GUEST NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION • The School for Advanced Research cultivates casual conversation and in-depth discussion through a series of live artist talks on Instagram.

Market Reimagined • Amid unprecedented times, SWAIA takes on a new model for Santa Fe Indian Market that supports artists long-term.

BASKETRY • One of the wonders of Native American basketry is that the modern age has not made basketry any easier. There are no shortcuts. Just to get into the studio can take a great deal of time as basket makers harvest materials, dry them, dye them and prep their designs. Only then can work on a basket begin, and that in itself requires many years of experiences, an eye for perfection and lots of patience.

BEADWORK/QUILLWORK • Native American beadwork and quillwork is rooted in tradition—from creating beads out of shells, bones and stones to obtaining the quills—but many of today’s artists are also focused on innovation. Collectors will find pieces with traditional designs and patterns that reflect the artists’ heritages, while some develop their own compositions to contemporize the techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation.

CARVINGS • Traditional messages and a connection to nature are dominate in the work of Native carvers. While heritage and story telling are a primary focus, collectors will see that a contemporary flare also prevails. Carving is meditative force that instills techniques of movement and flow.

DIVERSE ARTS • Nothing is ever boring in the work of artists who dabble in diverse arts. Everything is fair game in creating unique works with materials such as metal, beadwork, paint and textiles. The SWAIA market will have many talented artists showcasing their contemporary yet traditional pieces that honor tribal history, but are touched by the hands of our modern world. There’s a story left to unfold in each diverse work.

JEWELRY • Eye-catching designs and coveted materials are just two of the elements that collectors seek when purchasing Native American jewelry. The most recognizable of natural stones is turquoise, which is recognizable for its blue and green hues as well as the rarity of some of the varieties, but stones such as coral, sugilite, jade and jet are also notable. The techniques are classic—such as inlay, silversmithing, tufa casting and hand-making strands of heishi beads—but the works all captivate because of the artists’ precision and attention to detail.

POTTERY • Native American pottery is most commonly associated with the Pueblos found throughout New Mexico, but potters from all over the country convene in Santa Fe for the annual Indian Market. Collectors are drawn to these sophisticated wares that are rooted in traditional techniques, firing and materials. Clays are dug from sacred sites and natural pigments are used to dye the clays, while the shapes and decorations on the vessels often reflect the maker’s heritage.

SCULPTURE • Native American sculpture comes in many different forms, including bronze, stone, clay, wood, steel, glass and even paper....