URL: https://www.indianz.com/News/archives/001007.asp

Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Tens of thousands of visitors piled into Santa Fe, New Mexico, over the weekend for the city's 82nd annual Indian Market. Initial reports indicate it was a success.

Nearly 1,000 artists representing 100 tribes from Alaska to Oklahoma took part in the event, sponsored by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. The non-profit organization puts on the largest Indian arts and crafts show in the world.

Exact figures aren't available, but Indian Market traditionally draws an estimated 80,000 visitors to New Mexico's capital city, pumping anywhere from $150 million to $200 million into the local economy. Crowds were heavy this year as the market appeared to rebound from a slight dip in attendance seen last year in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

THE SHOW
Reviews of this year's market by the artists were mixed. Some said they sold out immediately. "Indian Market is always a great show for me," Navajo jeweler Richard Tsosie told The Albuquerque Journal.

Others said they have seen better years. "There are not a lot of high-priced buyers out here." said Donovan Begay, a Navajo painter. "Sales have been a little lower than the past two years," said Jane Osti, a Cherokee potter.

One thing that was missing, artists and organizers said, was a foreign presence. A spokesperson for Indian Market said advertising overseas was limited due to the war in Iraq. "So our plan then was pulled back and we focused then on this country," Michael Hice told KRQE News 13. "People who didn't want to travel across the ocean. And because of that our foreign visitors are down."

There was plenty of rain, though, which didn't appear to drive customers away. And the early birds were out in force, snatching up prized works at the crack of dawn. Ronald Honyouti, a Hopi artist, sold a $12,000 kachina doll early Saturday morning, the first day of the market, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported.
� Market Race (The Santa Fe New Mexican 8/24)
� Reviews Mixed on Market (The Albuquerque Journal 8/25)
� Annual Art Extravaganza Shows Signs of Economy Rebound (AP 8/25)
� Early Birds Flock to Indian Market (The Albuquerque Journal 8/25)
� Rain at Indian Market Seen as Fortuitous by Some (The Santa Fe New Mexican 8/25)
� Foreign Visitors Lacking From Indian Market (KRQE 8/24)
� Bob Quick: Five & Dime Sees Busy Weekend (The Santa Fe New Mexican 8/26)

AWARDS
Lu Ann Tafoya, a potter from Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico, took home the Best of Show award for her piece, "Water Serpent." An art collector paid two men to camp overnight in front of Tafoya's booth to buy it Saturday morning, the Associated Press reported.

Other show winners included Hopi potter Mark Tahbo, painter Shonto Begay and Justin Benally in the Youth category.
� Full List of Winners (The Albuquerque Journal 8/23)

MUSIC
The Native Roots & Rhythms concert has always been the showcase music event of Indian Market. But instead of a festival-style parade of performers, organizers dedicated the night to Taos Pueblo musician Robert Mirabal.

Mirabal, a flute player, drummer and singer, performed two sets, including music from his recent PBS special "Music from a Painted Cave." He combined traditional sounds with contemporary rock, blues and new age with favorites like "The Dance" and even older ones like the Bob Dylan classic "All Along the Watchtower." The first set was a visual extravaganza, with dancers filling the stage, bringing Mirabal's songs to life.

The Rez Crew, a team of breakdancers headed by Nambe Pueblo Gov. Tom Talache, took to the stage during the intermission, mixing old-school moves to the music from "Men in Black." And yes, Talache did his Michael Jackson imitation, proving that even tribal leaders can get down with the best of them. The Rez Crew is dedicated to keepi