Arizona's premier Indian Market celebrates 48 Years at the Heard Museum

PHOENIX -- The 48th annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, highlighting artwork, Native American music and dance performances, artist demonstrations, book signings, Native foods and more is set for Saturday and Sunday, March 4 and 5 from 9:30 a.m-5 p.m. Presented by SRP, the Fair & Market is the museum's largest fund-raising event.

The Fair & Market, which began in 1958 as a small community fair planned by Heard Museum volunteers, has grown to become one of the most popular Native American art events in the Southwest. It's still organized entirely by the museum's volunteer guild, with more than 700 volunteers helping throughout the two-day event.

Today, the Fair & Market draws more than 600 of the nation's finest Native American artists who show and sell authentic artwork and cultural items. The 18,000 expected visitors can peruse booths filled with jewelry, beadwork, pottery, katsina dolls, textiles, clothing, paintings, baskets from throughout North America.

The Heard strives to find the best artists to participate in the event, and each artist is selected to by invitation or through a rigorous application process based on the quality of their work. Artists participating in the Indian Fair & Market are encouraged to enter the juried competition. Each artist may submit one work in a maximum of two categories. Judges select winners from more than 250 entries in seven classifications and 25 divisions. The most prestigious award is Best of Show, which is selected from all of the artwork entered.

On the Friday evening prior to the Fair & Market, visitors can attend the Best of Show Reception and see artwork by the award-winning artists. This year, more than 50 artists have donated special items for a silent auction, and guests to the Best of Show Reception can bid on these works of art. The dinner reception is Friday, March 3 from 5:30-8 p.m., and reservations are limited and must be made in advance. Please call 602-251-0205 for tickets.

The array of entertainment offered at the Indian Fair & Market is also a favorite with festival goers. This year, the best Native American music and dance performers will be onsite entertaining the crowd.

Festival goers will not go hungry at the Indian Fair & Market -- a variety of Native American foods like Hopi piki, Apache acorn soup, posole and the ever-popular fry bread will be available. Visitors can watch as native dishes are prepared from scratch and then enjoy the unique flavors. A wide selection of American and Mexican fare will also be available.

This year's Fair & Market signature artists are Rosemary Lonewolf, Santa Clara Tewa, and Tony Jojola, Isleta. The artists recently partnered on a commissioned piece for the Heard's new signature exhibit --"Indigenous Evolution," a 30-foot-long, eight foot-high glass and ceramic art fence. This work marks the first collaboration between Fair & Market signature artists.

Tickets are available at the gate or in advance by calling 602-251-0205. Admission is $15/adults, free for children 4-12, $24 for a 2-day pass and $62 for a deluxe pass, which includes admission for both days and the Best of Show Reception.