It's August. It's one of my favorite months of the year. Summer is in full swing, the sun is high, the days are long, and I'm blasting that Don Henley track an awful lot.Another reason why I adore August is the fact that the largest gathering of Native American artists occurs during this magical month.
The annual Santa Fe Indian Market, organized by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, brings thousands of artists together for one fabulous and inspiring weekend.
Over 1000 artist booths spring up throughout the town of Santa Fe and an equal amount either come to participate in the many events occurring alongside the white booth tents, or they come to catch up with friends and family, relax, and take in all the creativity. Over 150,000 people from throughout the US and abroad go to Santa Fe for Indian Market, and I am one of them.
I insist on attending every year, and since I've been running Beyond Buckskin, I've put together a SFIM schedule of events - an exciting list of fashion and art events that you shouldn't miss. Scroll down to check them out.
Wednesday, August 14
Details: I love high street art, and these guys bring it. From beautiful patterns, to graffiti inspired by ancient basketry, to political art that packs a punch, stop by and view the work of some of the greatest high street artists. Free and open to the public.
Time: 5-8pm
Location: Blue Rain Gallery
Thursday, August 15
Details: One of the premiere art museums in the country, visiting the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts is a must. This season, they are celebrating a new exciting exhibit launch, "Changing Hands: Art Without Reservation 3 / Contemporary Native North American Art from the Northeast and Southeast" PLUS other great exhibits filling their halls. The reception will feature a special performance by Iroquois singer, composer and acoustic guitarist, Joanne Shenandoah.
Time: 5-7pm
Location: Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
Details: The Poeh is celebrating their 25th year with a special exhibition and opening reception featuring the amazing Miss Patricia Michaels, where will present eight looks, each displayed in their own unique environment, during a show that opens at 5 pm. Michaels said the show, which runs through November 2013, offers a new definition of fashion as art and “stands up for the rights of fashion, textiles and women.”
Time: 5-8pm
Location: Poeh Museum at 78 Cities of Gold Road, in Pojoaque
Details: Come celebrate the first annual Santa Fe Indian Market kick-off party featuring hip hop reggae beats by Cempoalli Twenty and Quese IMC and dance music by DJ Shock B. 21+.
Time: 8:30-11:30pm
Location: Historic Hilton of Santa Fe - Ortiz Room - Entrance on San Francisco
BONUS: Before you head to the launch party, run around and check out the other gallery openings at Blue Rain Gallery, Legends Santa Fe, Roxanne Swentzell Tower Gallery, and La Fonda Hotel Pottery Show.
Friday, August 16
Details: "Positionality and Contemporary Indigenous Art" - This panel is part of a long term dialogue among indigenous and mainstream institutions, artists and curators. Free and open to the public. Limited seating.
Time: 3-4:30pm
Location: New Mexico History Museum at 113 Lincoln Avenue
Details: Join the founders of style blog Presence 4.0 for an evening brimming with conversations on style, Native ingenuity and music. Dress to inspire. Attend to mingle. Free and open to the public.
Time: 4-6pm
Location: El Paseo Bar and Grill
Details: We are excited to launch the new collection by four Native designers, Dustin Martin (Navajo), Autumn Dawn Gomez (Comanche/Taos), Louie Gong (Nooksack), Candace Halcro (Plains Cree/Métis) in collaboration with Paul Frank. These limited edition pieces will be showcased and sold in the MoCNA Store throughout the weekend. We'll also have a panel discussion, "Beyond the Tribal Trend: Developing Proactive Native American Collaborations in Fashion," and talk about this collaboration with the Paul Frank brand; the creation of a collection and developing proactive Native partnerships in the fashion world. Reception to follow. Please RSVP by sending an email to RSVP@paulfrank.com
Time: 5-7:30pm
Location: Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
What: HYPERCLASH Fashion Event
Details: Trunk Show Featuring Arizona Native Designers Earle Couture, Defy Mi, Dineh Couture, Marco Arviso, and HYPERCLASH of Santa Fe. Indian Market Weekend, Fashion show starts at 6pm. Free and open to the public.
Time: 6pm
Location: Hyperclash on Baca Street in Santa Fe
Details: Check out the winners! SWAIA's Artist Awards Sneak Preview gives SWAIA members the early opportunity to see the best of Indian Market art. The General Preview that follows opens the doors to the public for a glimpse at the award-winning artwork. For Tickets Call (505) 983-5220.
Time: 5:30-9:30pm
Location: Santa Fe Convention Center
Saturday, August 17
Details: It's the moment we've all been waiting for: the official Market launches! Walk around the booth space, but be sure to check out these BBB artists: Waddie CrazyHorse at 258-PAL-N, Wayne and David Gaussoin at Booth #261 Pal-S, Courtney Leonard at the Plaza Booth Number 617, JT Willie at Booth 344 FR-S, Summer Peters at Booth 742 LIN W, Indigenous Princess at 900-CAT, and more. Free and open to the public.
Time: 9am-5pm all day
Location: Downtown Santa Fe Plaza area and surrounding streets
Details: This lighthearted and fun fashion performance will feature the t-shirt line that artist/designer Ehren Kee Natay created for Santa Fe Indian Market 2013. Models and dancers will also be showing off fabulous jewelry designed by participating SWAIA artists. Free and open to the public.
Time: 12:30-1pm
Location: Santa Fe Plaza
Details: Join us in celebrating this wonderful fashion designer, and help in raising funds for her New York Fashion Week runway show. Win original PM Waterlily designs. Auction, raffle, best dressed contests, and drink and food specials all night. $20 cover. 21+.
Time: 6-11pm
Location: Palace Restaurant and Saloon
Details: Come celebrate the launch of a fun new Native art publication at the elegant Agave Lounge at El Dorado Hotel in downtown Santa Fe. Free and open to the public.
Time: 7-Midnight
Location: Agave Lounge
Details: Spinning Live: DJ Element (Knucklehead Zoo/ Armory Massive/ PHX) and The Werewulf. Designs by: Pilar Agoyo, Consuelo Pascual, Sho Sho Esquiro and Walter Barney. Photos by: Thoshography. Ladies Free and Guys $5 til 1am - Everyone $10 after 1am. Fashion Show at 10pm. Come early.
Time: 9pm-4am
Location: Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino
Sunday, August 18
Details: Among the many cherished traditions at the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Native American Clothing Contest (NACC) is one of the most beloved and anticipated events of the weekend. For over twenty years, the NACC has been the most photographed event at the Santa Fe Indian Market. The contest includes categories for traditional and contemporary Native American fashions, features children and adult participants, and awards prizes in over 20 categories. Free and open to the public.
Time: 9am-12pm
Location: Santa Fe Plaza Stage
Details: The official event continues on day two! Free and open to the public.
Time: 9am-5pm all day
Location: Downtown Santa Fe Plaza area and surrounding streets