Santa Fe International Folk Art Market facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Fe International Folk Art Market |
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Beauty Ngxongo at the 2011 IFAM
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| Status | active |
| Frequency | annual |
| Venue | Milner Plaza |
| Location(s) | Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 35°41′N 105°57′W / 35.68°N 105.95°W |
| Country | United States |
| Established | July 2004 |
| Founders | Thomas Aageson, Charmay Allred, Charlene Cerny, Judith Espinar |
| Previous event | July 2025 |
| Next event | July 2026 |
| Sponsors | UNESCO |
The International Folk Art Market is a special yearly event. It takes place in July on Milner Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This market is a place where artists from all over the world can show and sell their amazing folk art. It's one of three big summer markets in Santa Fe, alongside the Spanish Market and the Indian Market.
Contents
Market History
The International Folk Art Market started in 2004. It was created by a group of people who loved art and wanted to help artists. These founders included businesswoman Judith Espinar, Thomas Aageson, Charlene Cerny, and Charmay Allred. They worked with important groups like the Museum of International Folk Art.
When the market first opened, it had sixty folk artists. By 2008, the market had grown a lot. There were 125 artists from 41 different countries. In 2009, even more artists came, with 126 artists from 46 nations.
UNESCO's Support
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) helped the market early on. They gave money to support ten artists. UNESCO also started a program to train artists in 22 countries. This helped artists learn how to make and sell their work.
Since 2007, UNESCO has given awards for excellent products. In 2009, some market booths showed off these award-winning pieces. In 2008, most of the artists were from developing countries. These included places in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Helping Artists Grow
The market also helped train people in Africa to start their own art businesses. This was part of the W.K. Kellogg Intern Program. The program brought four art professionals from Africa to learn how to create folk art markets in their home countries.
In 2008, these professionals included Mahaliah Kowa from Johannesburg and Chila Smith Lino from Mozambique. Nomvula Moshoai-Cook from South Africa and Jane Parsons from Zimbabwe also took part. This program helped spread the idea of folk art markets around the world.
Clinton Global Initiative
In 2009, former President Bill Clinton asked three artists from the market to create special awards. These awards were given to people and groups who helped improve global welfare. The artists were Serge Jolimeau and Michee Remy from Haiti, and Toyin Folorunso from Nigeria. Their art was made from recycled metals.
Market in 2012
The market's ninth year was in July 2012. A total of 156 artists came from 54 different countries. This included new countries like Colombia, Hungary, and South Korea. Many artists were part of groups that helped thousands of other artisans.
About 19,536 people visited the market in 2012. Artists' sales went up by 7% from the year before. They sold about $2.4 million worth of art. On average, each artist's booth sold $18,253. Artists get to keep 90% of the money they earn from their sales.
