Holiday Art Market
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR HOLIDAY ART MARKETS!
Some people are slowing down their travel as the weather changes, but some smart travelers know this is a GREAT time to visit Native American destinations. The shopping this time of year is unparalleled. To buy local and to buy authentic, Native American holiday art markets are the perfect venue to find special holiday gifts and support the work of regional tribal community’s unique artists.
Events such as these are an amazing showcase of handmade authentic arts. One may find the work of nationally acclaimed artists and up and coming new talent. You have the opportunity to meet them and learn more about their work, making the market event more memorable than a trip to a gift shop. If you can’t travel to the markets, some offer the opportunity to attend online. In addition to the vendors themselves, some markets present performing artists’ showcases, dancing and drumming demonstrations and opportunities to sample Native American food delicacies and fun festival foods.
December 29-31, Miami, FL
Miccosukee Indian Arts and Crafts Festival, where Native American culture comes alive in a three-day gathering of music, arts and entertainment in the heart of the Florida Everglades at the historic Miccosukee Indian Village festival grounds. www.miccosukee.com/artsandcrafts
December 17-18, Bishop, CA:
Owens Valley Paiute Cultural Center Holiday Market indoor/outdoor arts and crafts fair has something for everyone, including handmade items, raffles, great food, and family games and more. Santa might even visit! www.parks.ca.gov
December 17, Kodiak, AK:
Find unique local gifts for the people on your list at the Aluqiiq Museum Holiday Bazaar. Gerry Cobban Knagin, Sophie Frets, Michele George, Susan Malutin, Bruce Nelson, Gayla Pedersen, Hanna Sholl, Mariah Stapleton, Stacy Studebaker, and the Native Village of Afognak will sell directly to customers.
December 10-11, Honolulu, HI:
Ho’omau Hawai’i Market is a premier shopping event that features local small businesses who will be selling unique, fashionable and modern products, showcasing elements of Native Hawaiian and local culture through their items. There will be vendors from across the Hawaiian Islands participating. www.hoomauhawaiimarket.com/
December 10, Santa Fe NM:
The Santa Fe Community College’s Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair and Institute of American Indian Art’s Holiday Art Market will both be held on December 10. The campuses are only a six-minute drive or an 11-minute bike ride apart. IAIA will feature the work from a variety of Indigenous artists. www.iaia.edu/holiday-art-market
December 10, Orono, ME:
Join the Wabanaki Winter Market for a holiday gathering of Wabanaki artists featuring Maine Indian Basketmakers’ Alliance weavers who have received national awards and new artists representing the next generation of weavers. www.umaine.edu/wabanaki-winter-market/
December 10 – 11, Phoenix AZ:
The Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary Indian Market two-day market features over 200 top Native American artists with paintings, sculptures, jewelry, baskets and much more. Enjoy traditional Native American delicacies, including Hopi piki bread and Tohono O’odham tepary beans. Music and dance performances artist demonstrations and a children’s craft area. www.pueblogrande.org/45th-annual-indian-market
December 9, Menominee, WI:
The Native American Artist Sale at the Historic Preservation Culture Museum will feature beadwork, paintings, woodworking, baskets, moccasins, mittens and more! www.menominee-nsn.gov
December 3-4, Washington DC and New York City NY:
One event and two locations! The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian annual Native Art Markets feature works by more than 30 Award-winning and innovative Indigenous artists at each site. Join this unique opportunity to purchase traditional and contemporary handcrafted artworks—including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture. www.americanindian.si.edu/calendar
December 3 & 4, Oklahoma City, OK:
Over 50 of the best First American artists in the country will be participating at the First Americans Museum Winter Holiday Art Market Invitational. Artists and vendors will be participating on both levels of the museum. www.store.famok.org/holiday-art-market
December 3-4, Santa Fe, NM:
Southwestern Association for Indian Arts Santa Fe Winter Indian Market Over 150 SWAIA-juried artists are joining in this festive event at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center! Alongside our artist booths, we’re excited to host live performances, an in-person Silent Auction, and an exciting raffle! www.swaia.org/wim22/
December 3, Green Bay, WI:
Oneida Native Arts Program Native Holiday Market is held at the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. The market features Native American artists and craftsmen. Shop for unique fine art, jewelry, beadwork, baskets, or Native fashion and accessories. www.oneida-nsn.gov/arts-program
December 3, Rapid City, SD:
December 3, Lancaster, SC:
Native American Studies Center Winter Art & Craft Sale at the University of South Carolina. Held in conjunction with Christmas in the City, shop for jewelry, Catawba pottery, baskets, quilts, and more one-of-a-kind artwork at the seventh annual winter Native American Art and Craft Sale! Artist-in-Residence Nancy Basket will demonstrate basket making during the day. www.sc.edu/lancester/NAS
December 3, Glenpool, OK:
The Native American Christmas Market features original arts and crafts, paintings and sewing creations. Browse handmade, traditional clothing like Seminole patchwork skirts, ribbon shirts, silver and turquoise jewelry, one-of-a-kind beadwork and more. Enjoy fresh Indian tacos, spirit soup, fry bread, meat pies, barbecue and pumpkin pecan muffins. www.travelok.com/listings
December 2-4, Anchorage, AK:
Stop by our annual Alaska Native Heritage Center Holiday Bazaar to purchase work from dozens of artists. Free photo session for families and individuals to receive headshots or photos in regalia from a professional photographer. www.alaskanative.net/holiday-bazaar
December 2-3, Montrose, CO:
Ute Indian Museum Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival connects the past with contemporary Ute life and culture. Annual arts festival showcasing Native American and area artists. Free museum entry! Silent auction, fry bread, and all the holiday trimmings! www.historycolorado.org/holiday-arts-and-crafts-festival
This list is hardly comprehensive. It is so exciting to see such a remarkable explosion of creativity. Check out the lists of more events at First American Art Magazine at www.firstamericanartmagazine.com and list yours there too! Also check out the listed by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board at www.doi.gov/indian-art-markets and note this is another great site for free listings for authentic Indian arts. Contact us if you would like to be added mborwit@aianta.org.
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
Native American Agriculture Fund
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Bureau of Land Management
National Endowment of the Arts
National Park Service
United States Forest Service
