I have been going to Indian Market on and off for 35 years- I noticed this year several booths that had non-Native components incorporated into their items- and a lot of booths with low level items- this used to be a strict juried event- not so any more- very disappointing- read more

Welcome to the 100th anniversary of the market. This is how you avoid mass produced products sold by people who don't know the story and meanings of symbols. Everything here was sold by the artists who could talk about symbolic meanings Before buying we asked about the story and symbolic meanings of the item. Sellers were more than happy to answer our questions. It was a great education and provided better understanding of Native Americans and their relationship with the earth.We made a few purchases as soon as we entered the selling area and had to remind ourselves much more remained to be seen. Booths could be found on most streets surrounding the plaza. Despite the rain it was still fairly crowded. Many booths were not yet occupied. This also equates to a lot of traffic trying to find limited parking spaces close by. Surprisingly we managed to cover almost 3 miles. Most vendors take credit cards but many don't. There are ATMs close by but save a trip to find one and bring cash too. We definitely enjoyed our excursion and are already looking forward to next year's! Oh, one last thing - bring snacks and something to drink. If you want a sit down meal expect a wait in almost all eateries in the area. read more

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Indian Market is the autumnal event of the year in Santa Fe. It's spectacular, filling the historic plaza. One can see a wide array of contemporary&traditional Native American art, from tribes as far away as Alaska and the East Coast. The artisans take pride in their work, so don't expect cheap souvenirs. Turquoise jewelry, kachinas, belts, dresses, beads, sculpture, you name it. There are real treasures to be found. While parking in downtown Santa Fe is a challenge during Indian Market, it's a pedestrian-friendly event, going from vendor to vendor. It's a social event. Over the years, they've added musicians&food (like fry bread) One can learn about the Native American cultures not only of the Southwest, but the entire US. Educational, artistic, inspiring. read more

They come from as far away as Florida and Alaska, California and the East Coast . . . the North American continent's first citizens gather each August in Santa Fe to display and sell their unique Native American arts - both traditional & contemporary. THE SWAIA INDIAN MARKET HAS BEEN IN SANTA FE FOR 80 YEARS! The very best of the very best are here. AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN! The Plaza and surrounding streets are alive with Native American music and food and finery. Concho belts are everywhere. The biggest and best. Long velvet Navajo dresses. Squash blossom necklaces. Long beautiful black braids. Silver and turquoise jewelry on everyone. BE SURE TO WEAR YOUR BEST! The smells of Navajo bread with pinto beans and chile . . . a little onions for good measure. 100,000 tourists, collectors and gallery owners flock to this small state capital each August to view and purchase the treasures of our country, to meet the artists firsthand. 1200 ARTISTS FROM 100 TRIBES WILL BE HERE! (I will be too!) If you are planning to go in 2008, plan now. Visit the website - www.swaia.org - listen to the music, view some of the past years' submissions and artists (next years are not selected yet), learn where these wonderful artists make their homes now. If you are coming next year . . . . GET A HOTEL ROOM NOW! By the end of 2007 there won't be a room left within 50 or 100 miles. The Plaza will be alive with history. . . you don't want to miss it!! SWAIA INDIAN MARKET! read more

The jewelry here is the real deal. Made by local artisans who have been producing beautiful work for generations. Save your money and stock up on fine pieces. Note: While it is fine to bargain with these vendors, don't be aggressive and offensive. This is the life's work of these folks! read more

SWAIA's Indian Market is the oldest (since 1922) and largest (1100-1200 artists) Native American art market in the world. It's head and shoulders above all the other markets - from both the viewpoint of the visitor or the artists. All participants are enrolled in federally recognized Native American tribes or Alaskan Native villages/corporations, so you can trust that the work is genuinely Native American. It's impossible to see all the booths, so you have to research and strategize which artists' work you want to see. If you like one artist's work, ask them to recommend other artists' booths to visit as well - they might tip you off on a promising emerging artist the press hasn't picked up on yet. In response to another review, it is actually very insulting to try to haggle with the artists. This isn't a flea market, many of the artists are in the top of their fields, and materials are extremely expensive, especially for jewelers. read more

I'm pretty impress SWAIA, way to be on the Yelp wagon. Gotta say, I've loved you for years. Gotta shout out to the 50th Annual Indian Fair in Market at my place in Phoenix. LOVE you event though. gotta say, make some booths bigger. I hate feeling smushed when trying to buy from one of many great artsts. keep on keepn on. read more

I can't believe I am writing this post: The SWAIA Staff & Director of THE SANTA FE INDIAN MARKET should be ASHAMED of themselves. Printed in The Santa Fe New Mexican under the Opinion section - my Grandmother Barbara "Tahn-Moo-Whe" Gonzales wrote a piece titled "Indian Market decision leaves potter reeling" which addresses our family not having a booth at The Santa Fe Indian Market for the first time since the 1950's. My Great-Great-Great Grandparents, Maria and Julian Martinez, were a part of market since the beginning. There is no such thing as Modern Indian Art without Traditional Indian Art. Remember where you come from, and who helped get you there. Indian Market took away the Tenure system, this year. My family (Maria & Julian Martinez) & other Pueblo families helped Indian Market become a reality. My Saya (Barbara Gonzales) has donated/volunteered her time and traditional pottery to Indian Market her entire life. The SWAIA board & director has no idea the impact they are having on on our community. Indian Market was created to help sustain the surrounding Pueblo communities. There are so many problems with this situation. SWAIA & Indian Market need to know, they need to remember where they come from, too. I hear & know of many other very important Pueblo families that have also been denied from Indian Market. SWAIA is denying legacies of famous pueblo potters. It is important to not remain quiet about this situation. It is sad that we, younger generations of these same artists who helped make "Indian Market" what is "Indian Market" can reflect on the hypocrisy of The Staff & Director today. Shame on you SWAIA! read more

I love going to the Indian Market. I see friends, family and art! I went to school in Santa Fe, at the Institute and I love coming back and reminiscing about the good times I have had here. The vibe at the place is awesome and its such a fun event. I am always sad when I can't make it down. read more

Anyone interested in Native American art will enjoy the sheer variety and high quality offered at this art fair. Native American artists from far and wide, from a large number of tribes, sell their artwork at this fair, and so it is not exclusively Southwestern. However, with that said, you can find a wide selection of Southwestern Native artwork, everything from pottery to paintings and sculptures, to jewelry, kachinas and fetishes. I bought a beautiful Santa Clara carved blackware pot at one of these fairs at an excellent price a couple of years ago. Deals can be found, especially towards the Market's end, as long as you are reasonable and respectful. This is an event that many people wait for throughout the year, and so hotels in Santa Fe fill up fast during the time of the Market. Be sure to make your reservations early. This is a great way to introduce yourself to the rich cultural heritage of Santa Fe and the Southwest. Enjoy! read more

Did you know that 50% of all Native Indian handicraft is made in ASIA?! This is according the the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper 8/21/2010. Here you can get the real deal from real Native Americans who have really worked all yearlong to show off their talents. It is the best thing America has to offer! I even heard at the flute show that someone came all the way from Russia! Music, food, fashion, art, and even skateboarding, too. I missed the skateboarding this year. I think it is Comic Con with a real purpose - keeping alive something truly real American! Some of these arts are dying out, and it is great to see some of the handicrafts coming back - weaving, filigree, bead work, and basketry. Great to meet the artist and ask questions that engage you and helps you better understand why they do what they do. It really gives you a great appreciation of a piece that might have taken 3 1/2 weeks to string one strand of 20. From what I have learned from NPR... this annual show supports many of the artists for the whole year until the next year. 2009 was a very depressing year for many artists, but 2010 is thriving, and I think more artists than ever are sold out by all the gallery owners, collectors and fans purchasing these pieces. These artists really do care about your support financially or just being there! Who knows you might even become collector of something. Very well organized, and make you try to attend the award ceremony the night before, very interesting and crowded. read more

We attended Indian Market this year, 2016. I've been to many artisan markets/festivals in different cities/states and this one is by far the most expensive I've been to. Having been to many artist festivals, I've seen pricing for various items such as hand made jewelry, paintings, sculptures, clothing items, etc. I understand that the price for a sculpted bronze will be very high, for example, though, I found that even a simple bead on an earring hook was outrageously over priced. I was truly shocked at the prices of some of the artwork presented. Granted, much of the artwork there was superb. There were many totally amazing artists presenting there. I was just disappointed that even when prepared to shell out some moderately serious money for a piece of art, I was way far from being able to afford to do so. If there are that many people who are that rich, who will spend 5K on a turquoise necklace or 700 dollars on a hopi kachina doll, then, good for the artists. It was a huge disappointment for me, though. read more