In the pouring rain fifty years ago, roughly twenty-four hours after our wedding, Fred and I literally stumbled onto an arts and crafts fair on the Plaza in downtown Santa Fe.  At the time, we had no idea what it was, but there were crowds of people peering in the booths and strolling the streets.  There was more Native American art than we had ever seen in one place before. It was really cool.  Little did we know, we were witnessing the SWAIA (Southwestern Association for Indian Arts) Santa Fe Indian Market.  Since then, we have attended twenty times or more, with friends and family, discovering artisans from whom we would purchase art over the years.  This year's Indian Market was the 100th event, and, thankfully, we don't see any sign of it slowing down.  We did not attend this year, but seeing media photographs of this year's market, the younger generation of artisans are adding their own style to the mix, literally taking traditional arts and tweaking them.  It is exciting to see.

In honor of the 100th, today's blog features some Native American art from years past.  The coral inlay bracelet shown here was made by Rod Kaskalla of Zuni Pueblo, holding a concho belt crafted by Robert Johnson, a Navajo silversmith from the Chaco Canyon area.  The backdrop is a rug woven by Shirley Dennison in the Teec Nos Pos style with wool made using natural, vegetable dyes.  She is a member of the Ramah Navajo Weavers Association.

Teec Nos Pos style rug, concho belt, and coral bracelet

Below is the same inlay bracelet along with another holding larger pieces of coral on a Ramah Navajo Weavers Association sampler rug titled "Storm" by Linda Nelson.  

Storm rug and inlaid coral bracelets

Below is the Navajo concho belt and the coral inlay bracelet on the "Storm" weaving.

Storm rug, inlaid coral bracelt, and concho belt

Robert Johnson's concho belt surrounding the Storm

Storm rug and concho

A necklace comprised of coral beads rests on a rug woven by L. Yazzie, of Ramah, in 1992.

coral beed necklace and Ramah Navajo rug

No Indian Market event would be complete without a squash blossom necklace.  This one was purchased from weaver Pearl Sunrise in 1971.  I suspect it was made by her husband Bill Sunrise.

squash blossom necklace

Thanks to Jean and Sam, TTT, Dave O., Char, Catherine, Luella, Steve, and Dianne for commenting on last week's blog.  I always enjoying hearing from you and appreciate your comments.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©