Magic Art Santa Fe is a renowned art festival that takes place in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This annual event attracts artists, art enthusiasts, and tourists from all over the world. The festival showcases a wide range of artistic expressions, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. The essence of Magic Art Santa Fe lies in its ability to blend traditional and contemporary art forms. The festival brings together both established and emerging artists, allowing them to showcase their talent and creativity. This creates a vibrant and diverse art experience for visitors.
Also on Canyon, Morning Star Gallery, one of the nation’s premier galleries for Native American art, will present throughout August “Plains Pipe Bags: Emblems of Leadership and Diplomacy,” an exhibition of 30 Plains Indian pipe bags from the most comprehensive private collection of its kind (also see page 22). Morning Star’s director Henry Monahan says, “The finest Native American material continues to sell well across the board, whether beadwork, textiles, pottery or basketry. Economic volatility doesn’t affect the high end of the market.”
Nedra Matteucci Galleries, one of the city s oldest and finest galleries specializing in historic and contemporary American art, will hold two exhibitions of Southwestern plein-air painters. Art lovers should be thrilled to hear that SITE s venerable Biennial will be returning next year in a new three-part series through 2018 called SITElines, presenting new perspectives on art of the Americas.
This creates a vibrant and diverse art experience for visitors. One of the unique aspects of the festival is the integration of magic and illusion into the art forms. Artists incorporate elements of magic and illusion to create captivating and thought-provoking pieces.
New Mexico Magic: Santa Fe Indian Market 101 Preview
Santa Fe Indian Market 101 arrives in August with artists, fashion, and frybread.
Close to 1,000 artists from more than 200 Indigenous nations in the U.S. and Canada. New fashion designers, among them the on-the-rise Montana beader Elias Not Afraid (Apsaalooké). A new “Diamond Experience” ticket for VIP seating at Sunday’s Indigenous Fashion Show. A fresh tagline (“The First Year of the Next Century”), a new executive director (Jamie Schulze, who’s Northern Cheyenne/Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate), and a later opening time (9 a.m.). That’s what to expect as Santa Fe Indian Market rolls into its 101st year on August 19 – 20. And, oh yeah, gonna be turquoise everywhere.
The action gets underway on Wednesday, August 16, when artists arrive at the art receiving station. Thursday is for official judging. Come Friday, winners are announced at the best-of-show ceremony. On Saturday and Sunday, it’s the grand affair — look for 650 booths, with 30 percent of the artists newcomers in 2023. They’ll be offering up jewelry, pottery, paintings, sculpture, beadwork, photography, and more. Bringing the glam? The gala live auction, fashion shows, art auction, and thought panels — and the surge in lapis, sugilite, and opal stones. It’s all part of Indian Market, the largest juried Native American art market in the world. It attracts some 100,000 visitors annually, with Ali MacGraw, Tom Ford, Robert Redford, Wes Studi, and Diane Keaton sometimes among them.
Wes Studi walks at the 2019 Santa Fe Indian Market fashion show.
Lives can change at Indian Market. Fine-art photographer Cara Romero (Chemehuevi) landed her first major museum acquisition there when artist Tony Abeyta (Navajo) brought a curator from the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian to her booth. In 2021, Romero was again at her booth when U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) came by. “I got a selfie with Deb,” Romero recalls. “That was probably one of the most exciting people who ever came by.” Romero’s favorite thing to see at market? “The best-of-show preview on Friday night.” To do? “Purchase something from an emerging artist and an elder every year.” To eat? “Lamb frybread tacos with green chile.” Last year, Romero became a best-of-class winner.
Evolvers, Cara Romero, 2019.
So did jeweler Ernest Benally (Navajo). “They called me Thursday afternoon and told me to come to the best-of-show luncheon, and not to tell anybody. It’s like a big secret. Don’t tell anybody you won,” he remembers. He only told his kids, “Want to have lunch in Santa Fe?” His favorite thing to do at market? “Do sales and meet the customers.” To eat? “Something from The French Pastry Shop. And dinner at Tomasita’s.”
Glenda McKay (Ingalik Athabascan) won best of class last year, too, for her traditional harpoon. She loves when the artists set up at dawn before the show opens and “everyone goes around to see everyone’s things first, before anybody else.”
Potter Russell Sanchez (San Ildefonso Pueblo) won the big award last year: best of show. Even before that, when he would show up to unload his pots on Saturday at 6 a.m., there would already be a line waiting at his booth. “I get a lot of calls before market. To be fair, I tell them to get there early and get on my sign-up list,” he says. He usually sells out within an hour of opening. For dinner that night? You may spot him at Geronimo or The Shed with one of his collectors.
This article appears in our August/September 2023 issue, available on newsstands now or through our C&I Shop.
Santa Fe Indian Market takes place August 19–20. For more information, visit swaia.org.
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This blend of visual art and magic creates a truly immersive and enchanting experience for the audience. Magic Art Santa Fe also offers a variety of workshops and interactive activities that allow visitors to engage with the art and artists. These workshops provide an opportunity to learn new techniques, explore different mediums, and gain insights into the artistic process. Visitors can also participate in live performances and demonstrations by magicians and illusionists, further enhancing the magical atmosphere. The festival is held in various locations throughout Santa Fe, including galleries, museums, and outdoor spaces. This allows visitors to experience the art in different settings and contexts, adding to the overall ambiance of the festival. In addition to the art displays and workshops, Magic Art Santa Fe also features live music performances, street performances, and food vendors. This creates a festive and lively atmosphere, encouraging visitors to fully immerse themselves in the art and culture of Santa Fe. Overall, Magic Art Santa Fe is a celebration of art, magic, and creativity. It brings artists and art enthusiasts together, creating a dynamic and captivating experience. Whether you are a seasoned art lover or simply curious about the magical world of art, this festival is sure to leave you amazed and inspired..
Reviews for "Delving into the Supernatural: Santa Fe's Magic Art Scene"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with Magic Art Santa Fe. The gallery was much smaller than I expected, and the artwork on display didn't wow me either. I found most of the pieces to be average and uninspiring. The staff also seemed uninterested and didn't offer much information about the art. I would not recommend this gallery to art enthusiasts looking for a unique and extraordinary experience.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I had high expectations for Magic Art Santa Fe, but my visit left me feeling unimpressed. The artwork lacked creativity and originality, and I couldn't connect with any of the pieces. The prices of the artwork were also exorbitant, considering the quality of the art. The gallery itself felt cramped and poorly lit, which further diminished my overall experience. I would advise art lovers to give this place a miss and explore other galleries in Santa Fe.
3. David - 2/5 - I visited Magic Art Santa Fe based on the positive reviews I read online, but I must say I was underwhelmed. The art pieces felt amateurish and failed to evoke any emotional response. The layout of the gallery was confusing and disorganized, making it difficult to navigate through the exhibits. The lack of information about the artists and their works was also disappointing. Overall, I did not find the experience worth the price of admission.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I had such high hopes for Magic Art Santa Fe, but it fell short of my expectations. The artwork on display felt repetitive and lacked originality. It seemed like the gallery was more interested in making sales rather than promoting truly exceptional art. The staff seemed disengaged and unhelpful, adding to the overall disappointment. I would recommend exploring other art galleries in the city that offer a more enriching experience.