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Fashion center La Encantada is hosting its first Indian Art Market and Southwest Showcase this upcoming weekend, exhibiting traditional and contemporary artwork reveling in handmade authenticity and ancestral passion. Among patio lunches and afternoon shopping, nearly 50 artists will be offering pottery, crafts, paintings, jewelry, and kachinas to name a few, that will displayed not only for sale, but for the celebration and appreciation of the Spanish Colonial, Southwest, Western, and Native American cultures.


Arizonans interested in Southwestern style and fashion will have a first-hand opportunity to examine and even purchase handmade artwork, whether a turquoise bracelet catches the eye or a detailed vase for home. For these artists, many of who are traveling to Arizona create, for instance, oil paintings or Navajo rug weaving as their living. Therefore attending events like the New Mexico, Santa Fe Indian Market, the Autry Museum in Los Angeles, California, and the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, make these renowned artists entrepreneurs and leaders of the trade.

Historically, reservations in the plains such as South Dakota and Nebraska were in need of business and occupations. Thus Native Americans were encouraged to develop their artistic talents and familial traditions into a profitable craft. These hobbies and fine artistic endeavors became not only honorable to their roots and heritage, but became a strong source of income. For customers, this market and showcase is an opportunity to both see and hear the meaningful stories behind the artwork and learn from those who have lived through and experienced Native American history.

Artist Dolores Purdy Corcoran, member of the Caddo nation of Oklahoma, understands how sentimental value becomes the heart and soul of artwork. At La Encantada, Purdy Corcoran will feature her latest endeavor, ledger art, which depicts events from the pre-reservation period. Old ledger paper will be, for instance, a tax audit, a clerk’s register of warrants or an old deed – any snapshot into the native world. Then drawn on this hand-entry accounting paper from about 100-150 years ago are color penciled sketches and antique drawings. One of her pieces features images of warriors on horseback hunting buffalo or heading to war. Purdy Corcoran describes this work as a two-fold story. Her artistic talents also extend into Gourd mask creations. These masks contemporarily represent the Caddo descendants of the Mound Builder culture, decorated with pheasant and wild turkey feathers.

For more information, visit www.dolorespurdycorcoran.com.

Purdy Corcoran is only one story of many guests visiting this weekend whose inspiration and artwork fascinates onlookers. This weekend get the family outdoors; and grab chips and salsa at Blanco Taco or stop in for RA Sushi Las Vegas rolls. Then after a satisfying lunch, beneath the warm winter Arizonan weather, stroll to the second-level of La Encantada to experience a showcase of true Southwestern and Native American talent.

The Indian Art Market and Southwest Showcase takes place on Saturday, February 20, 2010, between 10am and 8pm. It continues on Sunday, February 21, 2010, between 11am and 6pm. For more information, visit www.laencantadashoppingcenter.com.