Stylish Scenes From the 100th Santa Fe Indian Market

Over the weekend, the Santa Fe Indian Market marked its centennial milestone, showcasing the vibrant creativity of Indigenous artists from across North America. What began as a modest indoor gathering dedicated to revitalizing Pueblo pottery has blossomed into a sprawling annual event in downtown Santa Fe, encompassing a diverse array of artistic expressions. From beadwork to ceramics, textiles to quillwork, the market now embraces myriad mediums, each piece a testament to the rich cultural heritage of its creator. Managed by the Southwestern Association of Indian Arts (SWAIA), this year’s market boasted 668 booths lining the streets of the downtown plaza, featuring over 800 artists and their meticulously crafted works. Among the standout offerings were Pat Pruitt’s striking titanium feather necklaces, Maria Samora’s elegant silver jewelry, Jill Kaasteen’s playful pickle-shaped medallions, as seen on the popular series Reservation Dogs, Jontay Kahm’s sculptural goose-feather dresses, and Elias Jade Not Afraid’s ornate leather cape adorned with bull-elk ivory, dentalium shells, ermine tails, and spikes.

Stylish attendees, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, adorned themselves with exquisite turquoise jewelry and intricate beadwork as they perused the latest offerings. The market drew a crowd of serious collectors, some of whom arrived at their favored artists’ booths before dawn. Adding to the allure of the event, many patrons arrived in chic attire for the IllumiNative: Indigenous Futures gathering held at the nearby La Fonda hotel. The event featured engaging panel discussions with appearances from Indigenous Hollywood luminaries such as Amber Midthunder from “Prey,” Zahn McClarnon from “Dark Winds,” and Jana Schmieding from “Rutherford Falls.”