Nearly 1,000 Native artists representing more than 200 tribal nations showcased their work at the 104th Santa Fe Indian Market, KOAT reports. The free weekend market on the Santa Fe Plaza let visitors buy jewelry, pottery, textiles, paintings, sculptures and other original artwork directly from the artists, along with live performances, food vendors and cultural demonstrations organized by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts.
Navajo jewelry artist Milford Calamity, who has made his own pieces for more than 16 years, brought sand-cast jewelry inspired by corn. He presses or rolls corn cobs and husks into sand and uses the impressions to cast bolo ties, rings and bracelets. He said turquoise is considered sacred and protective in Navajo tradition, silver can symbolize protection much like armor, and corn pollen is used in prayers and offerings.
Calamity began his craft in 2009, selling at flea markets and powwows before moving on to competitive art shows. He told KOAT that meeting artists in person helps buyers learn the meaning behind a piece and what is authentic, and that the market has something, and a price point, for everyone.
The market began in 1922 as an indoor, judged fair where non-Native judges set prices and Native artists did not interact directly with visitors. Today, those interactions are one of the market’s most popular aspects, according to SWAIA.
About This Story
Daily Reports is Brant.One’s news roundup. Each day we gather the New Mexico stories worth knowing from newsrooms across the state, sum them up and point you to the source. This one comes from KOAT’s reporting, and their original story has the interviews and full details.
Editor’s note: Updated Oct. 31, 2026. This story is now part of Daily Reports, our New Mexico news roundup, and was revised to credit KOAT’s original reporting. Learn how Daily Reports works in our editorial standards.
