Contributed by Ryan J. Wheeler
After almost getting to Santa Fe Indian Market in 2022 (Covid had other ideas!), we finally made it!
This year marked the 104th anniversary of this legendary event that brings together Native American artists from across the western hemisphere with dealers, curators, collectors, and the interested public.
We went on Sunday, August 16, which meant we missed some artists who had already sold all their pieces. Happily, we got to visit with Maxine and Mia Toya, from the Pueblo of Jemez, though Maxine let us know all her pieces were gone before noon on Saturday.
Some highlights include Scott Middleton’s (Cherokee) stone sculptures based on Cherokee myths and tales, including a marvelous bear and a squirrel grinding acorns. Scott shared that he had only been sculpting for five or six years and that this was his first Sante Fe Indian Market.
We were also delighted to buy a painted ceramic turtle from Pueblo of Tesuque artist Terry Tapia. Terry is well-known for her turtles and Tesuque rain gods, and we were delighted to meet her and add one of her turtles to our personal collection.
Meeting Chase Kahwinhut Earles, Caddo pottery, was another highlight. Chase made a marvelous pair of traditional Caddo earspools for the Peabody several years ago, and I’ve been fortunate to acquire a few of his traditional vessels and animals. Chase is also known for his Star Wars inspired pieces, which are worth checking out on his website or at the many institutions that have collected his work. Chase shared a really impressive Caddo vessel with a sequential storytelling design that echoed ancient Greek pottery.
Bonus visits to Pecos National Historical Park, Valles Caldera, and Jemez Springs!
The Peabody 