2024 BEST OF SHOW

Artistic Excellence

2024 best of show

Santa Fe Indian Market is pleased to announce this year’s Best of Show, Best of Classification, and Special Award winners in a variety of classifications. Since 1922, Santa Fe Indian Market, the world’s largest and most prestigious Native North American art market, has awarded Best of Show winners to exceptional Native North American artists in a variety of juried categories.

Over 50 judges, experts in various media, spent most of the day Thursday, August 15, reviewing and critiquing this year’s entries and determining the winners. The announcement of the Best of Show, Best of Class, and Special Award winners was made public at the Best of Show Ceremony on Friday afternoon. 

Best of Show CEREMONY is Sponsored by

Best of Show Luncheon is Sponsored by

2024 Santa fe Indian Market
Title Sponsor

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AWARD-WINNING ARTISTS

2024 BEST OF SHOW WINNERS

CLASS I: Jewelry

Sarah Aragon (Navajo Nation) 
Back in the Saddle

Horse Headstall with silver female ring bit (33″ x 9″ x 6″) – Handcrafted sterling silver from Tufa cast ingots, shaped by chiseling, chasing, and filing secured on a leather headstall. Stone inlay work of Mediterranean coral, Castle Dome turquoise, Morenci turquoise, Kingman turquoise, Persian turquoise, and Carico Lake turquoise. 

CLASS II: POTTERY

Garrett Maho (Hopi)
Gentle Rain

Hand-built pot (11″ diameter) – Traditional clay, paints, and paint brushes. Stones used to polish. Outdoor traditional wood and dung firing. All natural pigments.

CLASS III: Painting, Drawing, Graphics & Photography

Johnson Yazzie (Navajo Nation) 
AM 660 Afternoon 

Painting (53″ x 48″) – Acrylic and oil canvas.

CLASS IV: WOODEN PUEBLO FIGURATIVE CARVING & SCULPTURE

Arthur Holmes Jr. (Hopi) 
Chasing Star – Na-ngashu Katsina

Chasing Star is a handsome figure who usually appears during mix-dance (16 ½” x 5 ½”) – Carved from roots of a cottonwood tree, oil paint.

CLASS V: SCULPTURE

Ryan Benally (Navajo Nation)
Feathered Prayers

Sculpture inspired by the Navajo feather ceremony (63.5″ x 24″ x 24″) – Italian marble, black granite, stainless steel base, CNC cut design on the base, carved with hammer and chisel, electric power tools, and hand-polished to 8000 grit.

CLASS VI: TEXTILES

Isabel Gonzales (Jemez Pueblo / Walatowa)
Untitled

Hand-embroidered ladies’ manta with a traditional pattern (60″ w x 48″ l) – Cotton monks’ cloth, hand-spun yarn on drop spindle, commercial yarn.

CLASS VII: DIVERSE ARTS // BEST OF SHOW

Dan Vallo (Acoma Pueblo) 
Pueblo Revolt Ensemble

Rendition of a set of weapons used by many Pueblo warriors during the time of the Pueblo Revolt (66″ x 14″ x 5″) – Obsidian flint knapped dagger, handle made of yucca cord encased in clear resin, Juniper bow backed with over 150 wild turkey feathers, handmade twisted bow string, rawhide quiver, red cedar wood arrows.

CLASS VIII: BEADWORK & QUILLWORK

Monica J. Raphael (Grand Traverse Ottowa / Chippewa)
Indede Odayi – My Dad’s Horse 

Bead and quillwork on birchbark displayed on a horse mannequin with a handmade doll (18 ½” x 19″) –Woodland porcupine quillwork on birch bark. Otter hide, smoked deer hide, replica dimes, and a found horse as a mannequin wearing a miniature saddle. Doll constructed with brains tan smoked deer hide. All natural materials, harvested and prepared by artist.

CLASS IX: YOUTH

Aydrian Day (Ho-Chunk, Anishinaabe and Lakota)
HoCak Manape — (translates to Ho-Chunk warrior)

Otter turban and Otter medicine bag (8″ x 12″ x 6″ and 11″ x 8″) – Otter pelts, smoked hide, commercial hide, and cotton. Seed and true cut bead adornments.

CLASS X: BASKETRY

Caleb Hoffman, (Cherokee/ Penobscot)
Embers

Hand-pounded ash point basket with sweetgrass (8″ diameter) – Double-woven, plated-point basket, inspired by teacher, Jeremy Frey.

COMPLETE AWARDS LIST

ALL 2024 BEST OF SHOW WINNERS

SPECIAL AWARDS

Traditional Pottery Award

Make Me Smile Award

Excellence in Traditional Hopi Carvings Award

Excellence in Contemporary Hopi Carvings Award

Excellence in Lapidary Raw Materials Award

IAIA Distinguished Alumni Award

Mark Tahbo Memorial Award

Sara Fina Tafoya Memorial Award

Margaret Tafoya Memorial Award

Mela Youngblood Memorial Award

Tony Da Memorial Award "New Visions in Pueblo Pottery"

Anita Da Memorial Student Award

Oqwa-Pi Traditional Pueblo Painting Award

Bernard Ewell Innovation Award

Dominique Toya Memorial Award

Classification I: Jewelry

I: Division A:

Traditional Jewelry using culturally acceptable materials (including silver, beads, quills, brass, copper, stones shells, etc.), traditional techniques & designs.

IA: Category 101 – Necklaces

IA: Category 102 – Bracelets & Watchbands

IA: Category 103 – RINGS

IA: Category 104 – PINS & PENDANTS

IA: Category 105 – EARRINGS

IA: Category 106 – CONCHO BELTS

IA: Category 107 – buckles (including ranger sets)

IA: Category 108 – ketohs & bolos

IA: Category 109 – coordinated sets

IA: Category 110 – Boundary

I: Division B:

Traditional Stones & Shells (Precontact-style jewelry-heishi, inlay, etc.)

IB: Category 201 – Necklaces

IB: Category 202 – Bracelets & Watchbands

IB: Category 203 – RINGS

IB: Category 204 – PINS & PENDANTS

IB: Category 205 – EARRINGS

IB: Category 206 – Bolos & Buckles (INCLUDING RANGER SETS)

IB: Category 207 – Coordinated sets

IB: Category 208 – BOUNDARY

I: Division C:

Traditional Contemporary Jewelry, any materials

IC: Category 301 – Necklaces

IC: Category 302 – Bracelets & Watchbands

IC: Category 303 – RINGS

IC: Category 304 – PINS & PENDANTS

IC: Category 305 – EARRINGS

IC: Category 306 – CONCHO BELTS

IC: Category 307 – Buckles (including ranger sets)

IC: Category 308 – Ketohs & Bolos

IC: Category 309 – Coordinating Sets

IC: Category 310 – Boundary

I: Division D:

Contemporary Stones & Shell Jewelry (Heishi, Inlay, etc.)

ID: Category 401 – Necklaces

ID: Category 402 – Bracelets & Watchbands

ID: Category 403 – RINGS

ID: Category 404 – PINS & PENDANTS

ID: Category 405 – EARRINGS

ID: Category 406 – BOLOS & BUCKLES (INCLUDING RANGER SETS)

ID: Category 407 – COORDINATED SETS

ID: Category 408 – BOUNDARY

Classification II: POTTERY

II: Division A:

Traditional Unpainted Pottery

IIA: Category 501 – PITCH FINISH, ANY FORM

IIA: Category 502 – miscaceous ware in the style of taos, nambe, picuris, any form

IIA: Category 503 – Plain Burnished/Polished (can have impressions, e.g. bear claw), any form

IIA: Category 504 – Melon Bowls & Melon Jars, formed or carved

IIA: Category 505 – Other plainware

IIA: Category 506 – BOUNDARY

II: Division B:

Traditional Painted Pottery

IIB: Category 601 – Painted polychrome pottery in the style of Hopi, any form

IIB: Category 602 – Painted polychrome pottery in the style of Zuni, Acoma, Laguna, any form

IIB: Category 603 – Painted polychrome pottery in the style of Cochiti, Santo Domingo, Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Tesuque, Nambe, San Juan, Pojoaque, any form

IIB: Category 604 – Painted polychrome pottery in the style of Jemez, Zia, Santa Ana, Sandia, San Felipe, Isleta, any form

IIB: Category 605 – Figures/Manas

IIB: Category 606 – Traditional storytellers, including sets

IIB: Category 607 – BOUNDARY

II: Division C:

Traditional Burnished Black or Red Ware; Incised, Painted or Carved

IIC: Category 701 – Carved or incised, Black or red, under 8 inches

IIC: Category 702 – Carved or incised, black or red, over 8 inches

IIC: Category 703 – Woodland, Incised or carved

IIC: Category 704 – Incised or carved, any form

IIC: Category 705 – Painted designs on a black or red burnished or polished surface, any form in the style of San Ildefonso

IIC: Category 706 – Boundary

II: Division D:

Contemporary Pottery, any form or design, using Native materials with or without added decorative elements; traditional firing techniques

IID: Category 801 – Sgraffitto, any form

IID: Category 802 – Carved, any form

IID: Category 803 – Unpainted, any form

IID: Category 804 – Painted any form

IID: Category 805 – Figures, including sets

IID: Category 806 – With added elements (like beads, feathers, stones etc), any form: None listed

IID: Category 807 – boundary

II: Division E:

Contemporary Pottery, any form or design, using Native materials with or without added decorative elements; traditional firing techniques

IIE: Category 901 – Slabwork

IIE: Category 902 – Wheel-thrown

IIE: Category 903 – Figures, including sets

IIE: Category 904 - With added elements (like beads, feathers, stones etc), any form

IIE: Category 905 – Miscellaneous

IIE: Category 906 – Sgraffito & Carved; any form

IIE: Category 907 – Painted, any form

IIE: Category 908 – boundary

II: Division F:

Miniature pots; individual pieces under 3 in any dimension

IIF: Category 1001 – Traditional

IIF: Category 1002 – Contemporary

IIF: Category 1003 – Figures, including sets

IIF: Category 1004 - Sets where overall size exceeds 3 inches in any dimension

IIF: Category 1005 - BOUNDARY

Classification III: 2D

III: Division A:

Representational Painting and graphics (realistic or stylized) – including miniatures

IIIA: Category 1101 – Oil; including oil sticks, & oil pastels

IIIA: Category 1102 – Acrylic

IIIA: Category 1103 – Gouache & watercolor, Studio Style

IIIA: Category 1104 – Pencil, pen/ink, scratchboard, chalk, charcoals

IIIA: Category 1105 – Mixed Media 2D art

IIIA: Category 1106 – Ledger Art, any medium

IIIA: Category 1107 – Boundary

III: Division B:

Abstract Painting/graphics– including miniatures

IIIB: Category 1201 – Oil; including oil sticks & oil pastels

IIIB: Category 1202 – Acrylic

IIIB: Category 1203 – Gouache & watercolor

IIIB: Category 1204 - Pencil, pen/ink, scratchboard, chalk, charcoals

IIIB: Category 1205 - Mixed Media 2D Art

IIIB: Category 1206 - Boundary

III: Division C:

Sandpaintings

IIIC: Category 1301 – Traditional in style & designs

IIIC: Category 1302 – Contemporary in style & designs

IIIC: Category 1303 – Boundary

III: Division D:

Print-making

IIID: Category 1401 – Lithographs, Woodcuts & Etchings (includes other Intaglio techniques)

IIID: Category 1402 – Monoprints & Monotypes

IIID: Category 1403 – Serigraph/Silkscreen

IIID: Category 1404 – Miscellaneous (includes embossed paper, collagraph, mixed media, etc)

IIID: Category 1405 – Boundary

III: Division E:

Photography

IIIE: Category 1501 – Black & White or Continuous Tone: (Light exposed metallic prints)

IIIE: Category 1502 – Color: (Light exposed metallic prints)

IIIE: Category 1503 – Alternative Process: (Hand crafted, manually applied or transferred emulsions or dyes, exposed by light

IIIE: Category 1504 – Miscellaneous (includes embossed paper, collagraph, mixed media, etc)

IIIE: Category 1505 – Boundary

III: Division F:

Computer Generated Graphics

IIIF: Category 1601 – Digitally altered primary sources & printed, (eg altered digitized photographs)

IIIF: Category 1602 – 100% digitally created work printed in 2D (paper, canvas, etc)

IIIF: Category 1603 – Boundary

Classification IV: Wooden pueblo figurative carvings & Sculpture

IV: Division A:

Traditional Carved Dolls, Including Old Style & Revival

IVA: Category 1701 – Hopi Carved Dolls, Traditional Style

IVA: Category 1702 – Zuni Carved Dolls, Traditional Style

IVA: Category 1703 – Boundary (Gray area art, Classification transfer possible)

IV: Division B:

Contemporary Carved Dolls & Sculpture

IVB: Category 1801 – Pueblo Carved Dolls

IVB: Category 1802 – Pueblo Carved Dolls, Including Base

IVB: Category 1803 – Pueblo Carved Sculptures

IVB: Category 1804 – Other Pueblo Carved Dolls

IVB: Category 1805 – Miniature (6 inches and under)

IVB: Category 1806 – Boundary

Classification V: Sculpture

V: Division A:

Representational Sculpture (realistic/stylized)

VA: Category 1901 – Stone

VA: Category 1902 – Cast Metal

VA: Category 1903 – Fabricated Metal

VA: Category 1904 – Precious Metal (includes non-wearable jewelry)

VA: Category 1905 – Wood – (except Katchina & Katchina sculptures they go in Class IV)

VA: Category 1906 – Glass

VA: Category 1907 – Clay

VA: Category 1908 – Mixed Media

VA: Category 1909 – Boundary

V: Division B:

Abstract Sculpture (Non-objective)

VB: Category 2001 – Stone

VB: Category 2002 – Cast Metal

VB: Category 2003 – Fabricated Metal

VB: Category 2004 – Precious Metal (includes non-wearable jewelry)

VB: Category 2005 – Wood

VB: Category 2006 – Glass

VB: Category 2007 – Clay

VB: Category 2008 - Mixed media

VB: Category 2009 - Boundary

V: Division C:

Fetishes/Miniature Sculpture

VC: Category 2101 – Stone

VC: Category 2102 – Non-Pueblo Fetishes

VC: Category 2103 – Miniature sculptures

VC: Category 2104 – Boundary

Classification VI: Textile

VI: Division A:

Traditional Woven Textiles

VIA: Category 2201 – Diné; blankets, rugs, dresses over 5 ft

VIA: Category 2202 – Diné; blankets, rugs, dresses under 5 ft

VIA: Category 2203 – Diné Miniature: blankets, rugs, dresses under 1 foot,

VIA: Category 2204 - Pueblo blankets, rugs, belts, etc.

VIA: Category 2205 - Other, i.e., Chilkat blankets, capes, etc.,

VIA: Category 2206 - Boundary

VI: Division B:

Contemporary Woven Textiles

VIB: Category 2301 – Rugs, blankets, & other large furnishings

VIB: Category 2302 – Pillows, placemats, & other small furnishings

VIB: Category 2303 – Woven garments, i.e., skirts, coats, tops, etc.

VIB: Category 2304 – Boundary

VI: Division C:

Traditional Embroidered Garments/Dress

VIC: Category 2401 – Pueblo mantas, kilts, sashes, etc.

VIC: Category 2402 – Other traditional style garments/dress

VIC: Category 2403 – Boundary

VI: Division D:

Contemporary Dress

VID: Category 2501 – Garments

VID: Category 2502 – Accessories

VID: Category 2503 - Boundary

VI: Division E:

Other techniques, Contemporary & Traditional

VIE: Category 2601 - Sprang, knitting, finger weaving, braiding, crochet

VIE: Category 2602 - Boundary

Classification VII: Diverse Art Forms

VII: Division A:

Functional objects

VIIA: Category 2701 – Pipes

VIIA: Category 2702 – Drums, with or without stands

VIIA: Category 2703 – Flutes & whistles, with or without stands & carrying bags

VIIA: Category 2704 – Rattles & Fans

VIIA: Category 2705 – Bows/arrows, quivers

VIIA: Category 2706 – Bags & pouches

VIIA: Category 2707 – Powwow dance gear, individual objects or sets (Bustles, roaches, arm/leg bands, combs, etc.)

VIIA: Category 2708 – Non-beaded attire (not woven)

VIIA: Category 2709 – Miscellaneous contemporary objects (Fashion Accessories, knives, etc.)

VIIA: Category 2710 – Miscellaneous traditional objects

VIIA: Category 2711 – Boundary

VII: Division B:

Non-utilitarian objects, ethnographic art

VIIB: Category 2801 – Wall-hangings, cultural objects with added elements to display on a vertical surface

VIIB: Category 2802 – Framed or mounted, cultural objects that have been framed or mounted for display)

VIIB: Category 2803 – Mixed media Dolls & Soft Sculpture WITHOUT a predominance of beadwork & quillwork

VIIB: Category 2804 – Boundary

Classification VIII: Beadwork & Quillwork

VIII: Division A:

Articles of Attire

VIIIA: Category 2901 – Beaded clothing, non-woven (all, except moccasins)

VIIIA: Category 2902 – Moccasins

VIIIA: Category 2903 – Accessories (including coordinated sets)

VIIIA: Category 2904 – Jewelry, Bracelets, Earrings, Headbands, ETC.

VIIIA: Category 2905- Boundary

VIII: Division B:

Dolls & Soft Sculptures (Dolls & soft sculpture without a predominance of beadwork and/or quillwork go in VII-2703)

VIIIB: Category 3001 – Plains Style Dolls/Soft Sculptures with a predominance of beadwork and/or quillwork

VIIB: Category 3002 – Framed or mounted, cultural objects that have been framed or mounted for display)

VIIB: Category 3003 – boundary

VIII: Division C:

Other Items, Non-attire

VIIIC: Category 3101 – Contemporary Beadwork and/or Quillwork. Any Form

VIIIC: Category 3102 – Cradleboards

VIIIC: Category 3105 - Boundary

Classification IX – Youth (17 years & under)

IX: Division A:

Ages 9 & Under

IXA: Category 3401 - Jewelry (Metal)

IXA: Category 3402 - Jewelry (Stones)

IXA: Category 3403 - Pottery: Miniatures

IXA: Category 3404 - Pottery: Animal Figures

IXA: Category 3405 - Pottery: All Other Figures

IXA: Category 3406 - Pottery Burnished Black or Red: Painted, Carved, Sgraffito, or Undecorated

IXA: Category 3407 - Pottery Non-burnished (matte): Painted or Undecorated

IXA: Category 3408 - 2D

IXA: Category 3409 - Wooden Pueblo Figurative Carvings

IXA: Category 3410 - Sculpture

IXA: Category 3411 - Textiles

IXA: Category 3412 - Diverse Art Forms

IXA: Category 3413 - Bead Work & Quill Work

IXA: Category 3414 - Basketry

IXA: Category 3415 - Boundary

XI: Division B:

Ages 10-13

XIB: Category 3501 - Jewelry (Metal)

XB: Category 3502 - Jewelry (Stones)

IXB: Category 3503 - Pottery: Miniatures

IXB: Category 3504 - Pottery: Animal Figures

IXB: Category 3505 - Pottery: All Other Figures

IXB: Category 3506 - Pottery Burnished Black or Red: Painted, Carved, Sgraffito, or Undecorated

IXB: Category 3507 - Pottery Non-burnished (matte): Painted or Undecorated

IXB: Category 3508 - 2D

IXB: Category 3509 - Wooden Pueblo Figurative Carvings

IXB: Category 3510 - Sculpture

IXB: Category 3511 - Textiles

IXB: Category 3512 - Diverse Art Forms

IXB: Category 3513 - Bead Work & Quill Work

IXB: Category 3514 - Basketry

IXB: Category 3515 - Boundary

IX: Division C:

Ages 14–17

IXC: Category 3601 - Jewelry (Metal)

IXC: Category 3602 - Jewelry (Stones)

IXC: Category 3603 - Pottery: Miniatures

IXC: Category 3604 - Pottery: Animal Figures

IXC: Category 3605 - Pottery: All Other Figures

IXC: Category 3606 - Pottery Burnished Black or Red: Painted, Carved, Sgraffito, or Undecorated

IXC: Category 3607 - Pottery Non-burnished (matte): Painted or Undecorated

IXC: Category 3608 - 2D

IXC: Category 3609 - Wooden Pueblo Figurative Carvings

IXC: Category 3610 - Sculpture

IXC: Category 3611 - Textiles

IXC: Category 3612 - Diverse Art Forms

IXC: Category 3613 - Bead Work & Quill Work

IXC: Category 3614 - Basketry

IXC: Category 3615 - Boundary

Classification X – Basketry

X: Division A: Southwest Baskets

XA: Category 3201 – Plaited, Wicker

XA: Category 3202 – Twined

XA: Category 3203 – Coiled

XA: Category 3204 – Miniature

XA: Category 3205 – Contemporary

XA: Category 3206 – Boundary

X: Division B:

Outside the Southwest Baskets

XB: Category 3301 – Plaited, Wicker

XB: Category 3302 – Twined

XB: Category 3303 – Coiled

XB: Category 3304 – Miniature

XB: Category 3305 – Contemporary

XB: Category 3306 – Boundary

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