Jenny's View

Dear Friends,

The story of Indian Market began in 1922 (the very same year the current La Fonda building was constructed) by the Museum of New Mexico. The museum curator and assistant director at the time, Kenneth Chapman worked closely with various local potters, including world renown, Maria Martinez, along with her family from San Ildefonso.  Chapman intended to utilize the market as a venue to showcase Native art and educate buyers and artists about the importance of reviving Indian crafts and the need to establish markets as a means to promote the sustainability and preservation of Native American arts and crafts.

Chapman’s vision for the market — along with countless others involved in its transformation over these many years — helped create one of the most popular art markets in the nation. Now nearly a century old, the Santa Fe Indian Market continues the important work of honoring Native American Art, the communities that inspire its creation and the artists that continue to inspire us.

This year Indian Market showcases artists from over 220 U.S. federally recognized tribes and First Nations' Tribes of Canada. Health and safety is still top of mind, and in order to manage crowds SWAIA is selling tickets to access the market — you can purchase them here.  Remember, Indian Market is a family event with many participants bringing generations of artists to their booth — let’s respect the artists’ desire for a safe market and observe the individual artists’ social distancing comfort levels and safety requests.
Kick off the market with SWAIA’s live auction taking place on our Terrace Patio August 19 from 5-9 PM.  It’s the perfect way to celebrate the return of the live market, reunite with friends — and make new ones!  The weekend promises to be filled with amazing art, fashion, music and conversations.  

Last year’s Sovereign Santa Fe Contemporary Art Exhibit filled the hotel with much needed energy, beauty and life.  At the time, indoor dining was restricted, so we converted our sun-filled atrium dining room into Santa Fe’s destination art scene.  And despite the occupancy restrictions in place, La Plazuela — and the entire hotel — evoked a spirit of creative resilience.

Creative resilience is what Sovereign Santa Fe is all about.  Organized by FaraHNHeight Fine Art, Tony Abeyta, and Randy L. Barton, the third annual event will take place in our Lumpkins Ballroom and on our Mezzanine August 16-21.  Sovereign fosters a community of forward thinking artists, featuring contemporary paintings, sculptures and other mediums.

This year, Sovereign Santa Fe partners with Pivot, a group focused on promoting skateboard deck art, featuring nearly 100 unique contemporary native art works on identical canvases (skateboards). Organizer’s Duane Koyawena (Hopi) and Landis Bahe (Navajo) unite artists and cultures with this thoughtful exhibit.  The collaboration promises to be amazing, so make sure to check it out!  I’m happy to share that La Fonda has a few of skateboards painted by well known and super talented artists in our collection — you can see them in our lobby.  

If you haven’t already come across Marla Allison’s work at the hotel, hopefully you’ve seen it at the market or at previous Sovereign exhibits.  You’re especially lucky if you’ve had the chance to meet Marla in person.  Her warmth and generous spirit come through not only in her gorgeous paintings, but in her calm and beaming presence.  I love her work and we love sharing her talent throughout the hotel.  Look for it in our guest rooms, the lobby, along our guest room corridors and in La Terraza.  In fact, this year her art is featured on our annual Indian Market gift bag!  

Del Curfman is another artist we’ve collaborated with at the hotel.  Del is an absolute pleasure to be around, always thoughtful and positive.  His work is both fluid and vibrant and each individual piece of his tells a story.  A visual storyteller, Del’s vibrant art has been recognized by SWAIA in the past —in 2015 his work was selected for the Indian Market’s annual t-shirt and tote bag — launching his successful career as an artist. We've commissioned him to create custom drapery for the recently renovated, Terrace Inn at La Fonda.  The drapery depicts inspired scenes that weave the influence of the Northern Plains and his rich Crow heritage with elements of the Southwest, including a color palette inspired by local textiles. 

There is endless talent on display in Santa Fe this month and we can’t wait to share it with you.  Please join me in supporting the artists that spread positivity and beauty throughout our community, and the world.

Here’s to creative resilience!
Jenny