EVENT | SANTA FE
Santa Fe Artists Market showcases New Mexico artists every Saturday through December
The market features over 70 juried artists, with about 40 artists selling each weekend
Published
Now through December, visitors can spend their Saturdays strolling through 40 artist booths at the Santa Fe Artists Market.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got a fabulous group of artists,鈥� Cande Toner, vice president and treasurer of the Santa Fe Artist Market, said.
Toner is the owner of Dancing Turtle Studios and sells her solo art at the market, along with pieces she collaborated with her husband on.
鈥淗e鈥檒l pick up a log, and he鈥檒l sit there, and he鈥檒l turn it for 45 minutes, and look at it at every different angle. And then you can see the light bulb go off,鈥� Toner said.
Once her husband picks a piece, she adds enameled mosaic. Toner also makes jewelry.
Linn Cotrell, president of the Santa Fe Artists Market, said the organization offers local artists a way to start and grow their business. The market has a list of over 70 juried artists, with about 40 artists selling each weekend.
鈥淚t is constantly rotating,鈥� Cotrell said.
The market used to focus only on northern New Mexico but now accepts artists from all over the state. She said the market has all sorts of artisans, including painters, ceramicists, photographers, woodworkers, jewelry makers, fiber artists and sculptors.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a locals game,鈥� Cotrell said.
Cotrell has been showing since 2002 and Toner since the 鈥�90s. Cotrell said the market even has artists in their 80s.
Cotrell said the market competes with other art markets during the summer, but attendance stays even.
鈥淣o matter what鈥檚 going on in town, people do manage to come down and see us,鈥� Cotrell said.
The Santa Fe Farmers鈥� Market and Santa Fe Artists Market run during the same time at The Santa Fe Railyard, which Toner said helps make the atmosphere at the market fun and festive. Eventgoers can get something to eat at the farmers market and then explore the art.
鈥淭his allows us to make a living doing our artwork,鈥� Toner said.
Additionally, as board members, Cotrell said that a main goal is to create an organized market where artists can be successful.
鈥淚鈥檝e been at markets where it鈥檚 been cutthroat, and this is not like that,鈥� Cotrell said. 鈥淲e are happy to see the artists succeed.鈥�
Elizabeth Secor is an arts fellow from the New Mexico Local News Fellowship program. You can reach her at esecor@abqjournal.com.
