Finding the Best Jewelry and Indian Art at Native American Art Festivals

Finding the Best Jewelry and Indian Art at Native American Art Festivals<br /><br />Its important to buy authentic Native American art. Heres a list of places you can go to see fantastic art and to purchase a piece that is authentic. Some are juried shows and some are places that I have explored where authenticity is placed high on the list of criteria for the pieces that are sold. If in doubt, always ask the artisan who made the piece, where they are from and whether or not they purchased any parts of the piece you are considering. Ask for hand made items vs. hand crafted pieces.<br /><br />Santa Fe Indian Market, Santa Fe, NM<br /><br />Each year the Santa Fe Indian Market includes 1,200 artists from about 100 tribes who show their work in over 600 booths. The event attracts an estimated 100,000 visitors to Santa Fe from all over the world. Buyers, collectors and gallery owners come to Indian Market to take advantage of the opportunity to buy directly from the artists. For many visitors, this is a rare opportunity to meet the artists and learn about contemporary Indian arts and cultures. Quality is the hallmark of the Santa Fe Indian Market. Held annually in August. Peruse booths filled with jewelry, beadwork, pottery, katsina dolls, textiles, clothing, paintings, baskets and more. Held annually in March.<br /><br />Litchfield Native American Arts Festival Litchfield, AZ West of Phoenix<br /><br />Litchfield Native Arts Market<br /><br />Experience the West Valleys premier Native American Arts Festival and share in the lives of more than 200 award winning artists! Peruse a fabulous selection of traditional and modern masterpieces including jewelry, pottery, basketry, weaving, katsinas, painting, beadwork and more while you celebrate the cultures and traditions of the Native Southwest. Enjoy authentic foods, artist demonstrations, and not to be missed musical performances and traditional dancing. Held annually in January.<br /><br />Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial Gallup, New Mexico<br /><br />Nanabah Aragon, Expert Weaver and Educator<br /><br />Held each August, the Gallup Intertribal is much more than an art show. It is a gathering of people from near and far for a Pow Wow, Rodeo, parades and, of course, arts and crafts and art show. You will find arts and crafts vendors in a courtyard but where you will find the best treasures is inside the exhibition hall. Youll see the jewelry, rugs, paintings and more. If you are quick, you may purchase an award winning piece of art.<br /><br />Prescott Indian Art Market Prescott, AZNot Yet Reviewed The Prescott Indian Art Market features both traditional and contemporary works of art, including distinctive jewelry, exquisite ceramics, hand woven baskets and blankets. PIAM has grown in reputation and quality into one of the premier Indian Art Markets offered in the Southwest. An all Indian artist jury chooses participants on the basis of quality in both traditional and contemporary styles.<br /><br />Pueblo Grande Indian Market Phoenix, AZNot Yet Reviewed The Pueblo Grande Museum Indian Market was established in 1977 to provide Native American artists a way to sell their art and benefit the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park at the same time. Over 300 Native American artisans representing many tribes offer paintings, sculptures, jewelry, baskets, pottery, carvings and more. Usually held in December.<br /><br />Southwest Indian Art Fair Tucson, AZAn excellent show! Meet 200 of the most renowned Native artists. Shop for top quality artwork including pottery, Hopi kachina dolls, paintings, jewelry, baskets, rugs, blankets, and much more. Artist demonstrations, Native foods, music, and dance performances. Usually held in February. Location: Arizona State Museum on the University of Arizona Campus.<br /><br />Tuhisma Hopi Arts Crafts MarketsNot Yet Reviewed This annual arts show was established in order to provide to Hopi artisans a local venue for their arts and crafts. The show is held at the Hopi Veterans Memorial Center in Kykotsmovi every Columbus Day weekend in October. Participating are top Hopi artists whose reputations have helped the Tuhisma show to grow so tremendously. Renowned Hopi artists participate annually.