A Short Break From Shopping

One of the issues in shopping at the market is that there is a central cashier. You can pick out items that you want from each of the booths and they will bag them and hold them while you go to the central cashier (very long lines) to pay. Then you have to go back to each of the booths where you shopped to show that you paid and pick up your items. I can understand how this is more efficient for the market vendors, but it adds to the difficulty level of shopping.

Creative Shade

I loved this woman's approach to the shade problem. She just made her own!

More Shade

These lucky folks were enjoying their Anasazi corn in the little shade that could be found.

Smallest Art Affectionato

Santa Fe Style!

View From Behind the Museum

While at the market you can sneak around behind the ice cream stand and catch this beautiful view. There is actually a trail that you can take to climb up the mountain that you see at the right side of the picture.

And International Music.....

There is a full schedule of international entertainment throughout the 3 days of the Market. Bobi Cespedes was singing Afro-Cuban folkloric music while I was there and she and her band had many folks up on their feet and dancing.

Shade Time

It was VERY hot and VERY crowded and these kids found a shadey spot.

And Did I Mention Bhutan?

Bhutan is actually the only country in the world where there is a government measure of the country's happiness. I kid you not. Just as the bumper sticker pictured says, it is called the Gross National Happiness. I'm hoping it catches on with other countries. Wasn't it Deming who said that you can't change it unles you measure it?

Greetings From Bhutan

If you've read my blog over the years, you know that I visited Bhutan. I actually wore my Bhutan T shirt to the market and was thrilled to see several booths from Bhutan. I actually got to try out one of my 3 Bhutanese words that I remember - "Kuzuzangpola." which means "Hi". Everyone at the booth was impressed with my Bhutan T shirt and my command of the language......

Lovely Representative of Georgia (Russia, not US)

Temptation

Market Decorations

Everything inside and outside (tents, trees, stands, etc,) were beautifully and exotically decorated. Part of the job of the folks who travel over the world looking for artists is to also bring back international decorations. Very festive!

Museum + Market

Museum Garden at the Market

A Bit of Shade

Museum Hill - Home to the Market

Santa Fe's Museum Hill is just that - it's a hill where 4 of the biggest and best museums in Santa Fe reside. The International Folk Art Market is held on the hill and while you are walking around through the incredible crowds, you can see pieces of museum peaking over the tents and people.

Artists at Work

Part of the vision of the international folk art organization is to celebrate and value evolving folk art and culture, that in many countries may be disappearing.

Art Market as Sanctuary

Many of the artists come from war torn countries and have to deal with all the extra problems that that implies. One participant in this year's market said:
"These are the four days of the year when I am completely safe."

Business Exchange

While in Santa Fe for the market the artists have an opportunity for coaching in basic business practices and web based businesses. From the market magazine -
"When artists come here, they may not see themselves as business people, but they are. Our mission is to train them to see themselves as creative entrepreneurs. We teach our artists how to make themselves sustainable by raising their own money and creatively marketing their products." Charlene Cerny, Executive Director of the International Folk Art Market.

Cultural and Business Exchange

During the week of the market there is an enormous exchange of information that goes on between local artists, teachers, school kids, and the international artists. School kids can have their market "Passport" stamped by talking to the representatives from the many countries. One student last year missed by only one country - Morrocco.

Selecting the Best for the SF Int Folk Art Market

The final artists who are here at the Market have gone through an extensive selection process.The market brochure describes it as a "Matrix", probably because it is so complicated. My short hand interpretation is that it is not just the quality of the art, but also its' representation of their unique national culture as well as sales potential that are factored in. There are folks from the USA who seem to be emissaries for the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, going around to the different countries as art scouts to encourage local selected artists to apply for the Market. Where do I sign up for this job?
I did meet one woman who is a Professor and Chair of Latin American Studies at Hartwick College in New York who plays an active role in sponsoring and supporting Latin American artists at the Market.

Making A Difference - Internationally

Amazingly, the international artists themselves take home 90% of the sales. Last year the market exceeded $2 million with the average sales per booth at $16,000. This is HUGE because 97% of the artists come from countries where the per capita income is $750 or less.
Half of the world's population (nearly 3 billion people) live on less than $2 per day!

SF Int Folk Art Market Economics

Friday night cost $250 a couple and gave people an advance look at all of the art to scope out their buys for the weekend. It was a big celebration to kick off the market (I've read), but no one could buy anything. This morning (Sat) you could get in at 7 am for $50 and beat the later crowds. If you are like me, you came in after 9 with everyone else and paid $15 for your ticket. If you are really late and don't shop until tomorrow (Sun), you can get in for $5. The good news is that all the ticket costs are charity and the money pays for the yearly festival.

This Year's Santa Fe Int Folk Art Market

This is the 6th year that the Folk Art Market has been held. There are 133 artists from 46 countries and this year's market is expected to bring in 20,000 people over the 3 days of this weekend. Projections are that they will spend $2 million which I think comes to an average of $100 per person. It was very hard not to buy my share plus the shares of several other people.