2024 IAIA Holiday Art Market—A Celebration of Community, Creativity, and Culture
2024 IAIA Holiday Art Market
On December 14, 2024, over 100 artists—including Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) students, alums, staff, and Indigenous community members from across New Mexico and beyond, gathered together to show their work at the annual IAIA Holiday Art Market in the Performing Arts and Fitness Center Gym at IAIA.
Community was abuzz with news of the show. It was covered in Pasatiempo, “In The Market for Gifts?”, in the December 13, 2024, edition.
Artists representing heritage and membership from approximately 50 Indigenous groups participated, including Acoma Pueblo, Anishinaabe, Apsaalooke, Arapaho, Assiniboine, Aymara, Cheyenne, Chicana, Comanche, Diné, Fort Peck Tribes, Hopi, Hopi-Tewa, Inupiaq, Ioway, Isleta Pueblo, Jemez Pueblo, Jicarilla Apache, Kanaka Maoli, Kiowa, Laguna Pueblo, Lipan Apache, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Mescalero Apache, Mexican-American, Mohawk, Oglala Lakota, Oneida, Otoe-Missouria, Picuris Pueblo, Piikani, Ponca, Prairie Band Potawatomi, Pueblo of Zia, Pueblo of Zuni, Quechua, San Felipe Pueblo, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Santa Clara Pueblo, Santo Domingo Pueblo, Seminole Tribe, Shoshone, Southern Cheyenne, Spokane, Taos Pueblo, Tesuque Pueblo, Umonhon Tribe, Ute, Yavapai-Apache Nation, among others.
We talked with Tyisha Mitchell (Colorado River Indian Tribes and Diné) ’22, Dual Credit Director and Holiday Art Market Event Manager about what made the Holiday Art Market 2024 a resounding success.
How many IAIA artists attended?
Fifty-nine artists self-identified as either a current student, former student, or IAIA alum.
How was the 2024 holiday market different from last year’s?
Last year, I was a spectator only, so there are some details that I may have missed. Though in general, I feel that the major differences between this year and last year, were the fashion show (which was a tremendous success), less vendors (which was good because there was more space and all participants fit within the gym; no one was cramped in), more food (Café Bon Appétit was a new and delicious addition), and the entire event was managed by the Office of Institutional Communications.
What were some of the most common reactions on the show from artists?
The artists, overall, benefited from the consistent traffic. Those I spoke with at the end of the event were very thankful and pleased with the turnout, how much they sold, and were excited to apply for next year.
What were some of the most common reactions from the visitors?
The visitors appeared to be very happy to participate. Those who came have an interest in Indigenous arts and crafts, with some returning to buy from artists they met in previous IAIA holiday markets. Recently, a patron came in requesting more information about an artist. His friend bought him an art piece from notable alum Chad “Little Coyote” Yellowjohn (Shoshone Bannock, Spokane, and Ho-Chunk) ’19, and he wanted to not only identify the artist (which I helped with) but also wanted to learn more about the subject matter which was decolonial in nature. I personally thought this was great as it shows that some collectors are mindful and interested in the neo-Indigenous perspective and how it relates to contemporary culture.
The fashion show was incredibly well attended, wasn’t it?
In terms of the fashion show, everything went fabulously! We had an amazing turn out! The designers, models (who came in from as far as Kansas City, Illinois, and NYC) were so passionate and invigorated the market. Their high energy was infectious!
