Santa Fe: City of Art Markets Celebrates 400th Anniversary. 2010 Summer Markets Feature Finest in Regional, National and International Art

2010 marks Santa Fe’s 400th Anniversary, making it the second oldest city and the oldest capital in the U.S. The Native Americans first called this spot by a river home thousands of years before the Spanish discovered the area. America’s expansion West brought more influences as East-coast artists came to town in search of new inspiration. Today the city is an international art mecca, and major art markets this summer feature diverse offerings from folk art to contemporary, Native American to Spanish Colonial.

New shows have come to Santa Fe recently, contrasting with some of the older markets, for example the second annual Western edition of long-standing Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fairs in New York and Chicago. SOFA WEST: Santa Fe’s gallery-presented expo of contemporary decorative arts and design runs the same weekend as the seventh International Folk Art Market, the largest folk art market in the world. SOFA WEST begins July 8 and the Folk Art Market starts on July 9. ART Santa Fe, celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, opens the following weekend on July 15-18, making for one remarkable time to be in Santa Fe.

Here are the major 2010 summer art markets taking place in Santa Fe, the City of Art Markets:

July 8-11, 2010: SOFA WEST: Santa Fe – Prominent international galleries and dealers present one-of-a-kind, three-dimensional artworks bridging the worlds of contemporary decorative, fine art and design. Long heralded as the nation’s premier art fairs in New York and Chicago for ‘high craft’, this is the second year for SOFA WEST: Santa Fe, after a very successful start in 2009. Fair highlights include a lecture series, in-booth artists talks, pre-fair symposium on collecting contemporary Native Southwest pottery, special events like an evening at the Santa Fe Opera, a Saturday night “free-for-all” party, plus an ultra-exclusive VIP Program. At the Santa Fe Convention Center. http://www.sofaexpo.com

July 9-11, 2010: Santa Fe International Folk Art Market – The largest international folk art market in the world, this annual two-day event connects international cultures as folk artists from across the globe come together for a 2 day show and sale of remarkable art plus international music, food, and community. This market makes a true difference as sales from the show positively affect thousands of lives in dozens of countries. It is also one of the key reasons Santa Fe was designated a UNESCO Creative City in Folk Art. On Museum Hill. http://www.folkartmarket.org

July 15-18, 2010: 10th Annual Art Santa Fe – International galleries mix with U.S. galleries to create a powerful collection of art from around the world featuring the work of hundreds of artists. The salon-booth format, artist-styled VIP lounge, grand concourse, prestigious ART Santa Fe presents lecture series, and numerous cultural and educational events make the annual fair a highlight of the summer arts calendar. For 2010 the fair moves back to the Santa Fe Convention Center and will feature more galleries and cutting edge installations. http://www.artsantafe.com

July 24-25, 2010: Traditional Spanish Market – This popular annual event includes handmade traditional, Spanish Colonial arts made by over 200 local and regional artists. It is the most significant market of its kind in the country and a cultural immersion with continuous live music and dance, art demonstrations, and regional foods. A contemporary Hispanic Market is held during the same weekend. On the Santa Fe Plaza. http://www.spanishmarket.org

August 21-22, 2010: Santa Fe Indian Market 2010 – Over 1,000 of the most gifted Native American artists from across North America showcase their work in this year’s 89th annual market. Time-honored forms, innovative contemporary art, fashion, music, dance, and food are all part of the largest Native American art show and sale in the world. On the Santa Fe Plaza and side streets.

Find out more at Calendar of Antiques