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The Fine Art of Shopping at Santa Fe’s Folk Art FestivalBy Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
Actually, it seemed like all of them showed up just when I did, a little while before it was set to open, hoping to be first in line, wanting to get first pick.
The café was serving a wonderful meal of tapas with a Hispanic flair. It was not at all crowded, since the rest of the world was busy shopping. The food was delicious and I smugly thought I had beat the system.
By the time I finished eating, it seemed the lines at the cash register were two miles long and almost nothing was left. I heard that more than half the vendors had sold out the first day. A folk art shortage in Santa Fe is like a food shortage in Russia.
The earlybird admission of $25 is probably a good investment. You get in an hour early and enjoy first pick. And I predict that by next year, they will offer a Friday night preview at a higher price.
During the weekend of July 9 & 10, 2005 the 2nd Santa Fe International Folk Art Market will feature authentic folk art works in a variety of media by 95 esteemed folk artists from 35 countries. The event is truly an unparalleled gathering of the world's finest folk artists in a perfect setting; on Milner Plaza outside the Museum of International Folk Art (MOIFA), home to the world's largest International folk art collection, in a town with it own centuries-old tradition of international and cultural art.
But, what is folk art? It is the art of the everyday; it is rooted in traditions that come from community and culture; it encompasses a range of utilitarian and decorative media made from all kinds of materials and created by individuals whose skills reflect their community's authentic cultural identity rather that an individual artistic identity. Finally, folk art fosters connections between art and people with a creative spirit that unites all the cultures of the world.
Most recently, UNESCO awarded the market an unprecedented $60,000 grant over 2 years to fund the "Training and Building Markets with International Folk Artists" program. The program is designed to support folk artists in the global marketplace by teaching the information and skills they need to promote their work to shoppers, collectors and trade buyers in international markets and to build sustainable incomes for themselves in their home countries. The program also encourages intercultural exchanges, collaborations and communication among the artists.
This is a market with a breadth of artistic styles and a depth of commitment to intercultural exchange. The market takes place at Milner Plaza on Museum Hill, 2 miles from Santa Fe's downtown Plaza. Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM July 9 and 10. Admission to Opening Day, July 9, is $7 for adults and free for ages 16 and under. A special market Early Bird Preview takes place from 8 to 9 AM on Opening Day; tickets are $25. July 10 is community Family Day at the market with $5 admission for adults and free for ages 16 and under. Daily admission includes free entry to the Museum of International Folk Art and Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. Free bus transportation to Museum Hill will be provided by the City of Santa Fe from select locations. Tickets can by purchased at the market or, beginning Monday, May 2, at the Lensic Box Office by calling 505-988-1234. Tickets are also available at the Museum Shops in the MOIFA, Museum of Fine Arts, Palace of the Governors and Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. Further information, http://www.folkartmarket.org. What To Do After You Shop Til You DropWhere To Stay The Inn of the Five Graces Inn on the Alameda Bishop’s Lodge Resort and Spa La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa Inn of the Anasazi Inn and Spa at Loretto Where To Eat Best View of the Chefs Without Their Clothes On Bar With The Best View Best Sunday Brunch Best Guacamole Black Book For Chocolate Lovers (maybe I should say
dark semi-sweet brown book) Gourmet Fudge and Wedding Favors Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill 505-820-2862 Try anything baked by Katalyna Weil. She does a mean cowboy crunch and Mexican espresso brownies. I love the cowgirl kisses Kakawa Chocolate House, Mark Sciscenti, Chocolate
connoisseur, Pasty chef and Certified Herbalist. 505-438-3402.
sunsilver@earthlink.net Favorite Flavors of Santa Fe Random Thought What To DoBrowse Canyon Road. This gallery row features an amazing assortment of fine art, crafts, antiques, jewelry, clothing and restaurants. Santa Fe School of Cooking Santa Fe Opera. One of the most famous in the world. www.santafeopera.org. Flea Market. If you are there on a weekend, check out the flea market by the Opera. Tesuque Flea Market is the official name, but no one calls it that. The land it is on is owned by the Indians. Only open in warmer weather. Get a Massage The Bishop’s Lodge Resort and Spa Avanyu Spa La Posada de Santa Fe 10,000 Waves, 505-982-9304. Indulge in an outdoor massage while nimble fingers soothe out any stress. Call ahead because this is a very popular place. If you are adventurous, have an underwater Watsu massage. Shop For Art and Cowboy Boots Art Browsing Minkay Andean Art The Turquoise Trail leads to Hotel Santa Fe... Great Times To VisitDon’t miss the ArtFeast benefit event in late February. Souper Bowl Project Wine and Chile festival Annual Santa Fe Market, a free public celebration of the
colorful arts, crafts, jewelry and cultures of Native Americans and the American
Southwest. Usually the first weekend in April Great GuidebooksHidden Southwest Let's Go Adventure Guide Southwest USA 2003 Ski America and Canada has the best and most
detailed overview of Santa Fe from a winter tourist/skier/snowboarder's
perspective. The Old West Moon Handbooks New Mexico For More Information Best FreebieThe Official 2004 Santa Fe Visitors Guide - A Free Guide to
Santa Fe: Best Way to Get ThereSOUTHWEST AIRLINES: 800-435-9792 Photo Credits: 2. Entrance to the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market. Photo by Gene Aker. 3. Handmade Kantha embroidery from Bangladesh on display at the 2004 Santa Fe International Folk Art Market. Photo by Miguel Gandert. 4. “Large black plate with figures,” by Alice Gcaba, 476 mm diameter, collection of David Arment. From Wired: Contemporary Zulu Telephone Wire Baskets, courtesy of S/C Editions, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Photo by Andrew Cerino. 5. Florentina López de Jesús of Guerrero, Mexico, demonstrates the art of amuzgo weaving at the 2004 Santa Fe International Folk Art Market. Photo by Miguel Gandert. 6. Brothers Javier (left) and Pedro Gonzales, traditional saint carvers from the Central Andes in Peru, demonstrate their art at the 2004 Santa Fe International Folk Art Market. Photo by Miguel Gandert. 7. Tahitian dancers Mahuia (left) and Ieshea shake their stuff in traditional Tahitian dance costumes with handmade flower headdresses in the Children’s Global Fashion show at the 2004 Santa Fe International Folk Art Market. Photo by Gene Aker. 8. Pedro Meza of the Sna Jolobil weaving cooperative in Chiapas, Mexico, weaves on a backstrap loom at the 2004 Santa Fe International Folk Art Market. Photo by Julie Graber. 9. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson greets Chief Zacheus Oloruntoba, a Nigerian appliqué artist, at a folk art market reception at the Governor’s residence in July 2004. Photo by Gene Aker. |
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TM
No one thought last summer's first Santa Fe International
Folk Art Market would be quite the success it was. Organizers were hoping for
3,000 people to attend over the weekend. More than that showed up in the first
half-day of the show.
When I saw the mob of people, and the long lines to pay for
something, I went into my usual stress-avoidance mode. Get something to eat.
(You do know that stressed spelled backwards is desserts.)
Wrong.
So come early, very early. Maybe even the night before.
Grab everything you even think you might want, and then go to the cash register.
At one booth for African bead work, I politely tried to get close enough to see
things. You would have thought it was like Filene’s Bargain Basement with
everyone grabbing whatever they could reach.
For 2005 there will be even more reasons to visit.
"The purpose of the market is to present authentic,
original folk art reflecting each artist's community and cultural heritage,"
says Joyce Ice, director of the MOIFA. A panel of top folk art experts reviewed
nearly 200 artists’ applications before choosing the final group of participants
based on the quality of their work and the rich cultural experiences they offer
visitors. 
The artists themselves will present their works, offering
show visitors the opportunity to meet and learn more about the people,
traditions and culture behind the art. A series of free educational programs
also will explore diverse folk cultures and craft techniques. International
foods, entertainment, and all-ages art activities round out a fun-filled weekend
for the entire family.
The multi-cultural mix of artists who will participate in
the market is truly global with representatives from Africa, Eastern Europe, the
Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America and beyond scheduled to attend.
"While there are many crafts exhibitions and fairs in various countries, this
one deserves our attention," said Milagros del Corral, director of the Division
of Arts and Cultural Enterprise and Deputy Assistant Director General for
Culture at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), which has been a major supporter of the folk art market since its
inception.
In addition to UNESCO officials, representatives from other
leading international cultural organizations will be on hand to promote ideals
of cultural and economic sustainability for folk artists worldwide. To that end,
sales of many artists' work will benefit ground breaking women's movements,
community economic development initiatives and other critical social causes
worldwide.