August is one of the busiest months of the year for the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA). Fall term begins, the IAIA Benefit & Auction raises scholarship funds for our students, and the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) hosts an incredible array of events for Native Art Week, bringing together museum and arts professionals, artists, collectors, alumni, students, supporters, family, and friends. Additionally, IAIA has continued to partner with organizations around Santa Fe, including Lensic 360 and SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market.

Read on, mark your calendars for the 25+ events, and join us for IAIA’s 61st year, as well as MoCNA’s 51st year, of celebrating Indigenous arts and cultures.

August 3–14

2023 IAIA Auction Art Preview
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
MoCNA Second Floor, Conference Room

From August 3–14, the 2023 IAIA Auction Art Preview will be displayed at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Art (MoCNA) on the second floor during regular museum hours with admission. This year’s IAIA Benefit & Auction includes over 50 pieces of contemporary jewelry, glassworks, paintings, pottery, and more donated by renowned and emerging Indigenous artists, galleries, and donors.

Tuesday, August 15

Lensic 360 Santa Fe Plaza Concert Series­—Robert Mirabal with Levi Platero
Santa Fe Plaza
6 pm

IAIA is the presenting sponsor for Lensic 360’s Santa Fe Plaza Concert Series event with Robert Mirabal (Taos Pueblo) and Levi Platero (Navajo). The Santa Fe Plaza Concert Series invites Santa Feans and visitors alike to gather and enjoy great live music together in the 400-year-old historic heart of Santa Fe for FREE!

Wednesday, August 16

2023 IAIA Benefit & Auction
La Fonda on the Plaza, 100 E San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
5:00–9:30 pm

IAIA’s Benefit & Auction provides critical scholarship support for IAIA’s Indigenous students. Your participation empowers IAIA students to complete their education and achieve their goals.

Thursday, August 17

Get Indigenous Film Festival Screening
Violet Crown, 1606 Alcaldesa St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
7:30–9 pm

Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) and the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) are proud to announce the inaugural Get Indigenous Film Festival (GIFF), a multimedia component of the Santa Fe Indian Market. The exciting event will screen film and acclaimed television shows from Indigenous creators on the forefront of the industry. Beginning with Lakota Nation vs. The United States, a must-see documentary, GIFF will also screen an episode of “Spirit Rangers” and the newest season openers of Reservation Dogs (S3E1) and Dark Winds (S2E1).  

This is an invitation-only event. For questions, contact Steele Campbell, SWAIA Executive Assistant, at scampbell@swaia.org.

In addition, GIFF will host a discussion panel on Saturday, August 19, from 11 am–1 pm, at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) by notable film and television content creators to discuss Indigenous content today, and for the future. Where is the content headed, and what are their personal insights for longevity in the industry.

Friday, August 18

National Native News Broadcast
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Allan Houser Art Park
11 am–12 noon

National Native News, with host Shawn Spruce (Laguna Pueblo), will broadcast their radio program from the Allan Houser Art Park.

IAIA Annual Alumni Luncheon
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Allan Houser Art Park
12 noon–2:30 pm

Please join us on August 18 for the Institute of American Indian Arts’ (IAIA) annual alumni luncheon. Alumni from every generation are invited to gather, reminisce, and be in community. Lunch will be served, and remarks will begin at 12:30 pm.
RSVP Now.

For questions or more information, please reach out to Danielle Murzynsky-Obiekwe (Chickasaw Nation), Associate Director of Advancement, at d.murzynsky-obiekwe@iaia.edu or (505) 428-5931.

The Art of Jean LaMarr—Exclusive Members Event
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Allan Houser Art Park and First Floor Galleries
4–5 pm

Please join us for an exclusive members-only reception on Friday, August 18, 4–5 pm to celebrate our newest exhibition, The Art of Jean LaMarr, at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA), 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM. RSVP required.

Not a MoCNA member? Become a member and join the fun! MoCNA continues to share world-class exhibitions and offer and expand a rich array of programming through the support of our members.

The Art of Jean LaMarr—Public Opening Reception
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Allan Houser Art Park and First Floor Galleries
5–7 pm

Please join us for the public opening reception on Friday, August 18, 5­–7 pm to celebrate our newest exhibition, The Art of Jean LaMarr, at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA), 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM.

Ever Green and Forever Beautiful: Inside My Mind—Opening Receptions
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
MoCNA Store
4–7 pm

The MoCNA Store is excited to welcome back artists Rebecca Lee Kunz (Cherokee Nation) and Jontay “Kahm” Kahmakoatayo (Plains Cree) ’23. Kunz’s exhibition Ever Green in the store’s Lloyd Kiva New Gallery features a whole new set of original works on canvas, while recent IAIA graduate Kahm’s pop-up exhibition Forever Beautiful: Inside My Mind includes miniature dresses from his Regalian Body collection with different color variations, wall hangings, “off-the-cuff dresses,” butterfly paintings, and earrings.

Saturday, August 19

KSFR Broadcast
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
MoCNA South Courtyard

12 noon–1 pm: Interviews related to MoCNA exhibitions and programs with Tazbah McCulla (Diné)

1–4 pm: Indigenous Foundation live broadcast with Tara Gatewood (Isleta Pueblo)
Santa Fe Public Radio, KSFR 101.1 FM, will broadcast from MoCNA’s South Courtyard.

Breakfast in the Park—Exclusive Members Event

IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Allan Houser Art Park
7–9 am

Our annual Breakfast in the Park is an exclusive members-only appreciation event for members of MoCNA, the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (MIAC), and the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). RSVP is required.

Not a MoCNA member? Become a member and join the fun! MoCNA continues to share world-class exhibitions and offer and expand a rich array of programming through the support of our members.

IAIA Student and Recent Graduate Art Market
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
MoCNA Portal
8 am–5 pm

Meet the hottest emerging artists in Santa Fe! This free event brings together current IAIA students and recent IAIA graduates to sell their artwork. Managed by the IAIA Museum Club, all booth fees go to the student club to help support extracurricular activities for the upcoming academic year. For more information about the Art Market, contact Tatiana Lomahaftewa-Singer at tlomahaftewa-singer@iaia.edu.

The Art of Jean LaMarr—Panel Conversation with artist Jean LaMarr and guest-curator Ann Wolfe 
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Allan Houser Art Park
9:15–10:15 am

Join us for a panel conversation featuring contemporary Native activist-artist Jean LaMarr and Nevada Art Museum Associate Director and Chief Curator, Ann Wolfe. Together, they will delve into LaMarr’s artistic practices, inspirations, and the powerful messages behind her work.

Get Indigenous Film Festival—Indigenous Film and Television Content Creation Panel Discussion
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Allan Houser Art Park
11 am–1 pm

Join us for a panel discussion at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) by notable film and television content creators to discuss Indigenous content today, and for the future. Where is the content headed, and what are their personal insights for longevity in the industry. Information forthcoming about tickets.

Ever Green
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
MoCNA Store, Lloyd Kiva New Gallery
8 am–5 pm

The MoCNA Store is excited to welcome back artist Rebecca Lee Kunz (Cherokee Nation) to our Lloyd Kiva New Gallery. Her exhibition Ever Green features a whole new set of original works on canvas.

Live Printmaking by Rebecca Lee Kunz
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
MoCNA North Courtyard
10 am–4 pm

Rebecca Lee Kunz (Cherokee Nation) will be set up for live printmaking in MoCNA’s North Courtyard.

Mineral & Meridian—Pop-Up Show
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
MoCNA Store
10 am–5 pm

IAIA Alum Nicole Lawe (Karuk) ’16, owner of Mineral & Meridian, will present a special pop-up show of her wire-wrapped and dentalium jewelry in the MoCNA Store over Saturday and Sunday.

Forever Beautiful: Inside My Mind—Pop-Up Show
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
MoCNA Store
8 am–5 pm

During market weekend, Jontay “Kahm” Kahmakoatayo (Plains Cree) ’23 will sell miniature dresses from his Regalian Body collection with different color variations, wall hangings, “off-the-cuff dresses,” butterfly paintings, and earrings at the MoCNA Store through a pop-up exhibition, Forever Beautiful: Inside My Mind.

Ehren Kee Natay Mural Discussion
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Allan Houser Art Park
1:30–2:30 pm

Ehren Kee Natay (Kewa Pueblo and Diné) will discuss his mural, completed in the Allan Houser Art Park. The subject matter Natay has chosen to paint is about the Three Sisters. This representation is a correlation to sustainability of life through corn, beans, and squash, which have always been vital nutritional sustenance to Indigenous peoples, especially here in the Southwest. These three planted together in a shared space protect and nourish each other as they grow. Natay’s visual interpretation is a stunning perspective that will be on view for all to see.

Natay is an accomplished multi-media artist, silversmith, percussionist, potter, actor, and muralist. Natay has been shown nationally and internationally. His current work further infuses his musical craft with visual aesthetics via live performance. He continues to affect the youth as an arts educator in New Mexico public schools alongside Native American communities across the nation.

Sunday, August 20

IAIA Student and Recent Graduate Art Market
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
MoCNA Portal
8 am–5 pm

Meet the hottest emerging artists in Santa Fe! This free event brings together current IAIA students and recent IAIA graduates to sell their artwork. Managed by the IAIA Museum Club, all booth fees go to the student club to help support extracurricular activities for the upcoming academic year. For more information about the Art Market, contact MoCNA Curator of Collections Tatiana Lomahaftewa-Singer (Choctaw and Hopi) at tlomahaftewa-singer@iaia.edu.

The Stories We Carry Exhibition—Panel Discussion
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Allan Houser Art Park
11 am–12 noon

Join guest curator Brian Fleetwood (Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma) and MoCNA Curator of Collections Tatiana Lomahaftewa-Singer (Choctaw and Hopi) as they discuss the recent history of Indigenous jewelry and use the exhibition as a jumping-off point for discussion on contemporary Indigenous jewelry.

Ever Green
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
MoCNA Store, Lloyd Kiva New Gallery
10 am–5 pm

The MoCNA Store is excited to welcome back artist Rebecca Lee Kunz (Cherokee Nation) to our Lloyd Kiva New Gallery. Her exhibition Ever Green features a whole new set of original works on canvas.

Mineral & Meridian—Pop-Up Show
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
MoCNA Store
10 am–5 pm

IAIA Alum Nicole Lawe (Karuk) ’16, owner of Mineral & Meridian, will present a special pop-up show of her wire-wrapped and dentalium jewelry in the MoCNA Store over Saturday and Sunday.

Forever Beautiful: Inside My Mind—Pop-Up Show
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
MoCNA Store
10 am–3 pm

During market weekend, Jontay “Kahm” Kahmakoatayo (Plains Cree) ’23 will sell miniature dresses from his Regalian Body collection with different color variations, wall hangings, “off-the-cuff dresses,” butterfly paintings, and earrings at the MoCNA Store through a pop-up exhibition, Forever Beautiful: Inside My Mind.

Thursday, August 24

President’s Convocation
Institute of American Indian Arts, 83 Avan Nu Po Road, Santa Fe NM 87508

10:30 am–10:50 am: Prayer Circle, Dance Circle
11 am–12 noon: President’s Fall Convocation, Performing Arts and Fitness Center Gym
12 noon–1 pm: Luncheon and Activities, Dance Circle

For more information, contact Nena Martinez Anaya at nanaya@iaia.edu.

Contact

• For more information about IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts events, please contact Wayne Gaussoin (Diné, Picuris Pueblo, and French descent), Museum Educator, at wgaussoin@iaia.edu or (505) 428-5907.
• For more information about IAIA Museum Store events, please contact Elissa W. Wheeler, Stores Manager, at elissa.wheeler@iaia.edu or store@iaia.edu or (505) 428-5911.
• For more information about auction and alumni events, please contact Danielle Murzynsky-Obiekwe (Chickasaw Nation), Associate Director of Advancement, at d.murzynsky-obiekwe@iaia.edu or (505) 428-5931.
• For general questions, comments, or feedback, please contact IAIA Director of Communications Jason S. Ordaz at jason.ordaz@iaia.edu or (505) 424-2348.

IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts

MoCNA is the country’s only museum for exhibiting, collecting, and interpreting the most progressive work of contemporary Native artists. MoCNA is dedicated solely to advancing the scholarship, discourse, and interpretation of contemporary Native art for regional, national, and international audiences—as such, it stewards over 10,000 Contemporary Indigenous artworks (created 1962 to present). MoCNA is at the forefront of contemporary Native art presentation and strives to be flexible, foresighted, and risk-taking in its exhibitions and programs. MoCNA is located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico.