Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

The Heard Museum Guild will welcome more than 600 Native artists chosen through a juried selection process for the 61st-Annual Indian Fair & Market, Mar. 2-3, 2019. A nationally recognized event, and the largest art market in Arizona, the fair is a gathering place for art lovers and the community to celebrate and learn about Native art and culture, enjoy food, performances, activities for the kids and more.

The artists, both emerging and critically acclaimed, represent over 100 American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and Canadian First Nations. They will show and sell pieces including baskets, beadwork, quillwork, jewelry, lapidary, paintings, drawings, photography, graphics, personal attire, pottery, pueblo carvings, sculpture, weaving and textiles as well as other artistic media.

Festivities begin each morning with an opening ceremony that includes the Presentation of Colors by First Nations Warrior Society Color Guard led by Michael Smith (Diné), the Native American Flag Song performed by Thunder Springs Drum Group (Hopi/Pima) and a Native blessing.

Live performances throughout the weekend will include the Cha'Bii'Tu Apache Crown Dance Group, Native flutist and world-champion hoop dancer, Tony Duncan (Apache/Arikara and Hidatsa); the Thunder Boy Dance Troop (Hopi Butterfly Dancers) and The Women Dance Beautifully featuring Doreen Duncan and granddaughter Summer Lopez leading an ensemble of women dancers demonstrating the fancy shawl, jingle dress, northern traditional and southern traditional.

Grammy-winning Canyon Records is sponsoring the Courtyard Stage featuring a renowned list of performers including Aaron White (Navajo-Ute), traditional Hopi singer Clark Tenakhongva, Xavier Quijas Yxayotl (Huichol), traditional singer Jay Begaye (Navajo), [LS1]and Jonah Littlesunday (Navajo). Sons and Fathers (Roman Orona (Apache-Pueblo-Yaqui), his father Joel (Chiracahua/Jicarilla/Lipan Apache), and son Tahj (Apache-Pueblo-Yaqui-Persian-Kurdish) will offer music, dance, stories and poetry. The Fair will end Sunday afternoon with a rousing closing ceremony on the Heard Museum’s grassy amphitheater.

Families will enjoy Young Warriors Storytelling and crafts with Violet Duncan (Plains Cree/Taíno), a children’s book author, illustrator and former Miss Indian World who combines traditional dance styles and storytelling.

The Heard Museum Guild also will host the annual Best of Show reception on Friday, March 1, to announce prizes totaling $65,550 and honor winning artists in the juried art competition. The evening includes a fashion show featuring fair artists, including Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo), Maya Stewart (Chickasaw, Creek, Choctaw), Summer Peters (Saginaw Ojibwe), Tahnibaa Naataanii (Navajo) and many more. Guests will enjoy small plates, desserts and beverages under twinkling lights in the historic Heard Museum courtyard.

The Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market is Sat., Mar. 2, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sun., Mar.  3, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Museum members get early admission on Saturday starting at 8:30 am. Tickets are priced at $20 for general admission, $15 for members (limit 2) and children 16 and under are free. All proceeds support the Heard Museum’s mission to advance American Indian art, emphasizing its intersection with broader artistic and cultural themes. For more information and to purchase event tickets, visit heard.org/fair or call 602-252-8840.

Arizona Taste Catering, Canyon Records, Sanderson Ford and Native American Magazine are supporters of the 61st Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market.