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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 Fe
Indian Market, which is Santa Fe's largest annual public event and the
most prestigious Indian art market in the world. It attracts over 100,000
visitors each year, while showcasing established and emerging Native
American artists. What may not be clear to the general public is the depth
of involvement and unconditional support that SWAIA has for the Native
arts and Santa Fe communities.

Throughout its 88 year history, the Santa Fe Indian Market has been the
central event in establishing the relevance of Native arts in the United States
and the primary architect in shaping the cultural identity of Santa Fe. The
Market is the voice and platform for Native artists to promote their art practice
and the singularly most important cultural event in the United States that has
provided autonomy and stability to the Native arts community. And although
the Santa Fe Indian Market is rooted deeply in tradition, it is making bold
leaps of reinvention to support native artists in all stages of their career.

SWAIA is excited to begin another year of programs and events and invites
the public to attend its Annual Membership Meeting. SWAIA's Executive
Director Bruce Bernstein and Board Director Fran Mullin will outline this year's
programs and initiatives including details about the Santa Fe Indian Market
scheduled for August 22-23, 2009.

A complete 2009 SWAIA schedule of events is available on our updated
website www. swaia.org. The website features a new online application for
prospective artist applicants.

For more information on this and other SWAIA events please contact
Marketing and Public Relations Associate Gabe Gomez at ggomez@swaia.org
or (505) 983-5220 x 229

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The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, a non-profit organization,
is an advocate for Native American arts and cultures (particularly those
in the Southwest). SWAIA creates economic and cultural opportunities
for Native American artists by: producing and promoting the Santa Fe Indian
Market as the finest Indian art event in the world, cultivating excellence and
innovation across traditional and non-traditional art forms, and developing
programs and events that support, promote, and honor Native artists year-round.
SWAIA is located at 141 East Palace Avenue in Santa Fe, N.M.; telephone
number 505-983-5220; www.swaia.org.