The Santa Fe Indian Market is celebrating its 88th year in 2009

Who: The Southwest Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) What: Annual Membership Meeting Where: Vanessie's Restaurant, 434 W. San Francisco St., Santa Fe, NM When: Tuesday, January 27, 6pm to 7:30 pm How Much: Free SANTA FE, NM)-Santa Fe is a town that embraces its traditions firmly,but isn't afraid to lead the tides of change, especially in the visual arts.The Southwest Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) produces the Santa FeIndian Market, which is Santa Fe's largest annual public event and themost prestigious Indian art market in the world. It attracts over 100,000visitors each year, while showcasing established and emerging NativeAmerican artists. What may not be clear to the general public is the depthof involvement and unconditional support that SWAIA has for the Nativearts and Santa Fe communities.Throughout its 88 year history, the Santa Fe Indian Market has been thecentral event in establishing the relevance of Native arts in the United Statesand the primary architect in shaping the cultural identity of Santa Fe. TheMarket is the voice and platform for Native artists to promote their art practiceand the singularly most important cultural event in the United States that hasprovided autonomy and stability to the Native arts community. And althoughthe Santa Fe Indian Market is rooted deeply in tradition, it is making boldleaps of reinvention to support native artists in all stages of their career.SWAIA is excited to begin another year of programs and events and invitesthe public to attend its Annual Membership Meeting. SWAIA's ExecutiveDirector Bruce Bernstein and Board Director Fran Mullin will outline this year'sprograms and initiatives including details about the Santa Fe Indian Marketscheduled for August 22-23, 2009.A complete 2009 SWAIA schedule of events is available on our updatedwebsite www. swaia.org. The website features a new online application forprospective artist applicants.For more information on this and other SWAIA events please contactMarketing and Public Relations Associate Gabe Gomez at ggomez@swaia.orgor (505) 983-5220 x 229 # # # The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, a non-profit organization,is an advocate for Native American arts and cultures (particularly thosein the Southwest). SWAIA creates economic and cultural opportunitiesfor Native American artists by: producing and promoting the Santa Fe IndianMarket as the finest Indian art event in the world, cultivating excellence andinnovation across traditional and non-traditional art forms, and developingprograms and events that support, promote, and honor Native artists year-round.SWAIA is located at 141 East Palace Avenue in Santa Fe, N.M.; telephonenumber 505-983-5220; www.swaia.org.

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