Southwestern Souvenirs

The Heard Guild Fair has become one of the most significant events to showcase Southwestern Indian arts. Held on the first weekend in March for a little over fifty years now, this annual Indian market is a labor of love on the part of many volunteers. This year’s dates are March 6 and 7. Attendees in all categories of the arts — their works screened by a jury — occupy booths on the museum grounds. Participant numbers have risen steadily to  650-700 artists.

Outside at the Heard Guild Fair and Indian Market.

The show’s organizers invite more than just Southwestern Native artists, thereby providing a real overall look at the state of Native American artistry today. Southwestern artists predominate, however, and their works can be dazzling. The Guild Fair draws serious collectors and enthusiasts from all over to its downtown Phoenix location, and Valley Metro, the new light rail system now offers visitors easier access.

Inside one of the huge tents at the Heard Guild Fair and Indian Market.

Just like the Indian Market in Santa Fe, the first few hours are devoted to frantic collector viewing, but the atmosphere is lighter in tone than the larger event in New Mexico. Artists don’t feel compelled to show their most expensive creations here. Since the Fair is held on the museum grounds, it’s more compact in nature and such coziness is welcoming. Book signings, educational demonstrations, and high quality music and dance add to the festive mood.

New collectors and tourists with little or no experience in Indian markets will find this the perfect place to shop. Artists chat freely about their work, and the sense of quiet tension that marks booth occupants in Santa Fe is lacking here. For more description see my recent article in The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles (Feb. 2010; the print edition).

Over the years of going to Scottsdale, we’d hear mention of the Pueblo Grande Indian Market, held in early December. We’d never heard much except comments to say that it was “a nice show.” Our recent visit out brought us a chance to attend, so on a cool, gray Saturday morning we headed down to South Mountain Park. This particular market has often been held in downtown Phoenix at Steele Park, with occasional switches to the South Mountain park venue.

(more…)