On August 21 and 22, Free Indian Market will welcome visitors to New Mexico with stunning artwork by some of the top Native American artists in the country. The event, held at Santa Fe’s Scottish Rite Temple as well as Federal Park across the street, features a total of three acres of artwork from 500 award-winning artists, including artists from every tribe in New Mexico. The event is free to the public and to the exhibiting artists.
Santiago Rivera, Buffalo Rider, acrylic and oil on canvas, 40 x 50”
Just a few of the many artists who will be exhibiting at this year’s Free Indian Market are Karen Abeita, Ricardo Cate, Judy Lewis, Dolores Lewis, Watson Honanie, Judy Tafoya, Amado M. Peña, Don Dewa, Darryl Whitegeese, Ernie Lister, and Marcellus and Elizabeth Medina. The artists will be adding to an already festive atmosphere that is Santa Fe in August, when many shows, events and exhibitions are held for an end-of-summer bash.
“I [am] grateful for Free Indian Market and all the relatives involved in helping this to continue,” says Zuni/Cochiti jewelry artist Jolene Eustace. She plans to bring several pieces—earrings, bracelets and hopefully one or two necklaces—to the market.
Karen Abeita, Four Traditional Hopi-Tewa Pots (one of four), hand-coiled, natural paints and fired in a pit, 14 x 5”. Courtesy the artist.
Nanibaa Beck is a featured artist in the Free Indian Market 2021. Photo courtesy the artist.
“I do use natural turquoise and other natural stones, with lapidary work of carving each stone onto the shell form, as my late parents designed, for our family. It holds that space in the Native jewelry world and is recognized by collectors and museums. My three offspring work with jewelry, as my oldest, Eric Eustace-Othole, does amazing work, truly,” says Eustace. 
Griselda Saufkie, Water Clan cuff bracelet, featuring natural Kingman Black Matrix Spiderweb Turquoise, 12 carats, high grade, silver overlay technique. Photo by Angie Schaaf.
“This year, we will be offering for sale the private collection of Dr. Marvin Palmer, the retired Santa Fe Indian Health Hospital doctor, who collected art from his famous patients,” says Gregory Schaaf, who produces the Free Indian Market along with his wife Angie. “Most of the major local galleries contribute with amazing generosity. Although the Free Indian Market artists are not required to donate anything, most do give valuable works of art…[we are] hoping the show will continue year after year...at least for another hundred years.” —
Free Indian Market
August 21-22, 2021, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Federal Park and Scottish Rite Temple,
Washington Avenue and Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501
www.facebook.com/freeindianmarketshow
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