The markets are back!

Where master artists meet

The International Folk Art Market, Indian Market, Traditional Spanish Market and Contemporary Hispanic Market are returning in person this year, with COVID-SAFE precautions in place and new lessons learned.

These popular summer markets have not only buoyed Santa Fe’s economy for decades but have also helped preserve and promote cultures and traditions throughout our region and around the world. A dollar spent at the International Folk Art Market supports individuals and communities in their home countries. A dollar spent at Indian Market or Spanish Market helps educate people about the diverse and often disenfranchised cultures of the Southwest, and supports individual artists firsthand.

COVID-19 hit everyone hard, but it disproportionately affected Native Americans and other people of color — yet it also opened the doors to new market models that could help support artists and their cultures moving forward. Some markets may be timed and ticketed to manage access, and some events and access hours may require a paid ticket. Final details will depend on city and state mandates during the pandemic. Check with market sponsors for the latest details before heading out.

“We had a very difficult year. The artists really were struggling because not only did they not have the market, they also didn’t have tourism or customers in their home countries,” says Stuart Ashman, CEO of the International Folk Art Market. Artisans at IFAM take home an average of $14,000 each year — well over a year’s salary in many developing countries. To help offset pandemic losses, IFAM raised funds to purchase pieces at retail value from more than 100 artists and then auctioned off those items. “So the donations went twice as far, supporting both the artists and the organization,” Ashman says.

Ashman says 113 of the 186 accepted artists this year are planning to attend in person. Those who can’t make it can ship their items to IFAM. Representatives will sell the art for them.

New this year will be timed entry tickets that will allow shoppers inside the market for two hours at a time, with no musical acts or food service. Other Covid-related changes include cancellation of the ever-popular Parade of Nations on the Plaza.

On the positive side, the market has changed its payment system to eliminate long lines; this year every two booths will have a credit card machine. No cash will be accepted.

This is a ticketed and timed event. Visit folkartmarket.org or call 505-9927600 for more information or to buy tickets.

TRADITIONAL SPANISH MARKET

Not all markets were able to transition to a virtual platform last year. Traditional Spanish Market couldn’t move online because of a small staff and budget says Yvonne Gillespie, finance and logistics director for the Spanish Colonial Arts Society, which hosts the market. “It was disappointing for the market.” This year, market organizers plan to greatly expand their web presence while also working with city officials to create a safe in-person market. Gillespie says the excitement among vendors is growing. “The artists are eager to see each other but also eager to start selling again.”

Traditional Spanish Market will likely maintain a wider footprint this year, taking into account social distancing requirements and with more downtown restaurants moving to outdoor dining. Artist booths will center on the Plaza but spread more deeply into neighboring streets. Another notable difference is that youth artists will not be placed together in a separate area. Gillespie says she hopes youths will be able to exhibit with their parents and grandparents.

CONTEMPORARY HISPANIC MARKET

Contemporary Hispanic Market will be nearby, bringing more modern interpretations of traditional art to the in-person event. The final number of booths is dependent on spacing restrictions at the time of the event.

Artists have asked that their annual awards competition be included in this year’s market, and the Santa Fe Community Convention Center has been reserved for the occasion. The details remain in flux, but Gillespie says that organizers hope to make it happen.

Most events are free. For up-to-date information about Traditional Spanish Market, visit spanishcolonial.org/spanish-markets/ or call 505-982-2226. Check in with Contemporary Hispanic Market at 505-331-5162 or log onto contemporaryhispanicmarketinc.com.

SANTA FE INDIAN MARKET

“We have seen the devastation of what COVID has done,” says Kim Peone, executive director of the Southwest Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA), the organization that hosts Indian Market. “But a large number of artists pivoted with us last year and created websites and really got involved with social media.”

Peone says that when the 2020 market was canceled and SWAIA started promoting market artists virtually, only 77 of the artists surveyed had websites. By the end of August 2020 that number had grown to more than 450 artists.

Despite their adaptive success online, Peone says artists are happy to be returning to an in-person market. “We are excited to be able to come back to community. We miss our family and our friends,” she says. “We look forward to seeing all those who are willing to come and see us.”

This year’s market will be a scaled-down, hybrid version of past events. SWAIA will maintain a heavy online presence, promoting artists’ websites for those not able to attend in person. Roughly 500 booths will be set up for ticketed entry throughout the Plaza, although that number may change depending on additional safety measures. Peone hopes the 99th annual market will be able to include the popular fashion show and the annual live gala — though she is not yet sure how these events will play out.

This is a timed and ticketed event. Visit swaia. org or call 505-983-5220 to purchase tickets or for more information.