Native Treasures: Indian Arts Festival

Event Description

Eighth Annual ‘Native Treasures: Indian Arts Festival’ At The Santa Fe Community Convention Center Memorial Day Weekend May 26th and May 27th

More than 200 museum-quality artists from over 40 tribes and pueblos will showcase and sell their pottery, jewelry, glass, painting, sculpture, carvings, textiles and other art.

Proceeds from Native Treasures provide the primary funding for exhibits at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (MIAC).  While the museum receives state funds for operating expenses, all exhibit funding must be raised privately.  Exhibits are clearly the lifeblood of a museum and are critical in supporting artists, sharing the museum’s collection with the public, and delivering the ongoing educational mission of the institution.  To emphasize the importance of exhibit support, sponsors of Native Treasures will also be recognized as exhibit supporters for all of the exhibits mounted at MIAC in 2012.

“The wonderful thing about shopping at Native Treasures is that you get to support talented Native artists and the museum at the same time,” says Karen Freeman, Co-Chair of the show.  “Where else can you come home with a beautiful piece from a top-level artist and know that you also contributed to a really important institution for New Mexico?  It’s a great way to get your summer started.”  Weaving demonstrations by Toadlena Trading Post, an eclectic mix of music, and delicious food will add to the festive atmosphere.

"As always, we have invited a very strong group of artists, from established masters to the brightest emerging artists, all of whom are producing museum-quality work,” says Jane Buchsbaum, Artist Chair.  “Many of their pieces are in the permanent collection of the museum so we really enjoy being able to offer this quality of art for sale.  But it’s important to add that we have beautiful things in every price range.”  For the third year, an Emerging Artist section will feature student artists from the Poeh Center.  And every year, the museum targets having new artists represent about one-third of the show so that different artists have the opportunity to participate and attendees always have something new to look forward to.

As has been the tradition, Native Treasures will also honor an established master with its “Native Treasures Living Treasure Award.”  This year’s recipient is famed Navajo (Dine) painter and jeweler, Tony Abeyta.  Abeyta is considered to be one of the finest contemporary painters today, continually experimenting with his media and style.  In addition to painting, Abeyta has recently made a foray into jewelry as well.  A large mural by Abeyta graces MIAC’s gathering space and one of his paintings served as the official illustration for the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.  In addition to his outstanding body of work, Abeyta has also served the community, one of the criteria for this award, through the generous donations of his work to a wide variety of non-profit organizations.  He also served on the Development Committee for MIAC.  Abeyta is represented locally by Blue Rain Gallery.