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SWAIA Announces New Board Chair & Executive Committee Appoinments

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SWAIA Announces New Board Chair & Executive Committee Appointments

Dawn Houle is elected SWAIA Board of Director’s Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE— October 24, 2023

Santa Fe, New Mexico: The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) announces the appointment of its newly elected executive committee. Board member Dawn Houle (Chippewa Cree Tribe of Montana) has been elected Board Chair. Houle succeeds Stephine Poston (Pueblo of Sandia), who completed her term of office and brought years of experience optimizing business opportunities for Native American Tribal governments and individuals.

“The new board members play a big role in supporting and advocating for Native Artists and I’m excited to join this world class leadership in shaping how we continue to elevate Native Artists to the world stage. We have a century of legacy work that we can build upon and I’m grateful to Ms. Poston for the tremendous efforts she provided to the organization. In a world of pressing issues and challenges, the expression of art helps us learn and celebrate. I welcome this new role to strengthen member commitments while bringing in new resources to support SWAIA and the artists,” said Dawn Houle.

New appointments to the executive committee include Michael Trujillo, Vice-Chair, and JoAnn Chase (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara), elected Secretary.

Tom Teegarden will remain in the position of Treasurer. Natasha K. Hale, the Director of Native American Partnerships for the Catena Foundation is also a newly elected board member.

SWAIA’s Executive Director, Jamie Schulze, on behalf of the entire staff said, “We would like to thank outgoing executive committee and board members for their commitment to SWAIA and to our artists. The dates for Winter Market are Saturday, November 25, and Sunday, November 26, at the Santa Fe Convention Center. We invite everyone to join us. Tickets are available at swaia.org.”

SWAIA’s 2023 Board Members:

  • JoAnn Chase (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Indian Nation) | Secretary — Director of the American Indian Environmental Office, Office of International and Tribal Affairs.
  • Randy Chitto (Mississippi Choctaw)— Artist
  • Elias Gallegos— Actor and Producer
  • Natasha K. Hale (Navajo) —Director of Native American Partnerships, Catena Foundation
  • Andrea Hanley (Navajo)—Curator
  • Dawn Houle (Chippewa Cree Tribe of Montana) | Board Chair —President and founder, SunSinger Consulting LLC.
  • Bill Lomax (Gitxsan Nation)— President & CEO at First Nations Bank of Canada
  • Russell Sanchez (San Ildefonso Pueblo)— Artist
  • Tom Teegarden | Treasurer— Vice President of High Water Mark, LLC.
  • Michael Trujillo | Vice Chair —Santa Fe community leader and public servant
  • Chris Youngblood (Santa Clara Pueblo)— Artist

To become a member of SWAIA visit: https://swaia.org/memberships/

Media Inquiries:
Audrey Rubinstein 505-490-5029| audrey@themettaagency.com

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About The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA):
The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is a non-profit organization supporting Native American arts and culture. It creates economic and cultural opportunities for Native American artists by producing and promoting the Santa Fe Indian Market, the biggest and most prestigious Indian art event in the world since 1922; 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.org

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Winter Indian Market Returns to La Fonda Hotel in Downtown Santa Fe

Press Release, The Latest / By

SWAIA Logo

 

Winter Indian Market Returns to La Fonda Hotel

in Downtown Santa Fe

Holiday shopping direct from Indigenous Artists

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—October 25, 2021; Santa Fe, N.M.— The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts is pleased to announce the dates of this year’s Winter Indian Market. The weekend shopping event will commence on Saturday, November 20, from 9 am to 5 pm and continue Sunday, November 21, from 10 am to 3 pm.  Beginning November 1, tickets will be available for sale at swaia.org.

“After last year’s Virtual Winter Market, SWAIA is thrilled to be returning to an in-person market at the historic La Fonda Hotel,” said Kim Peone, SWAIA’s Executive Director. Roughly 200 of SWAIA’s juried Indigenous artists from the 2021 Santa Fe Indian Market will be featured.

This year’s Winter Indian Market will also include a silent auction to raise funds to support SWAIA’s Indigenous art community. Online bidding will begin on Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm and on Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm.

Finally, please consider donating a new, unwrapped present to SWAIA’s holiday gift drive. All gifts will be donated to the Santa Fe Indigenous Center for children, infants to 16 years of age. For additional information and to donate, visit Santa Fe Indigenous Center’s non-profit information table at Winter Market on both Saturday and Sunday.

Photo: Artist, Wayland Namingha © Photo Gabriella Marks Photography for SWAIA

 

Media Inquiries:

Audrey N Rubinstein |505-490-5029 or audrey@themettaagency.com

DOWNLOAD Hi-Resolution Images

 

About SWAIA:

The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is a non-profit organization supporting Native American arts and culture. It creates economic and cultural opportunities for Native American artists by producing and promoting the Santa Fe Indian Market, the biggest and most prestigious Indian art event in the world since 1922; 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.org 

 

 

SWAIA Announces New Board Appointments

Press Release, The Latest / By

SWAIA Announces New Board Appointments In Advance of Centennial Year

L. Stephine Poston elected Chair – SWAIA Board of Directors

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Southwestern Association for Indian Arts 

Oct 14, 2021, 06:45 ET

SANTA FE, N.M., Oct. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of its newly elected executive committee and board members.  L. Stephine Poston (Sandia Pueblo), who has served on the board for the past 4 years, as well as a previous term from 2010 – 2015 has been elected Board Chair. Poston succeeds Tom Teegarden and brings years of experience as a communications leader within the Native American community.

“I am honored to work collaboratively to usher in the Centennial of the prestigious Indian Market. We are a diverse board with a common commitment to SWAIA’s mission: bringing Native arts to the world by inspiring artistic excellence, fostering education and creating meaningful partnerships. I want to thank Tom Teegarden for navigating the pandemic waters and creating a pathway for Centennial,” said Poston.

Bill Lomax (Gitxsan), Vice President, Goldman Sachs’ Investment Management Division, will serve as the board’s Vice-Chair. Scott Malouf was elected treasurer and Angelique Albert (Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes) will act as secretary.

SWAIA also inducted new board members Russell Sanchez (San Ildefonso Pueblo), Elias Gallegos, Patricia Marroquin Norby (Purépecha), JoAnn Chase (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara), Walter Lamar (Blackfeet Nation/ Wichita Tribe), Angelique Albert (Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes) and Bill Lomax (Gitxsan).

“We are delighted with the new board appointments, which include leaders in tribal business and Indigenous art and speak to the health of our organization,” said Executive Director Kim Peone (Colville Confederated Tribes / Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians).

SWAIA’s 2021 Board Members:

Andrea Hanley (Navajo)— Chief curator at the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Angelique Albert (Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes)— Chief Executive Officer American Indian Graduate Center

Bill Lomax (Gitxsan) —Vice President, Goldman Sachs

Chris Youngblood (Santa Clara Pueblo)— Potter

Elias Gallegos— Film actor/producer. Film & Media Director for renowned author and filmmaker George RR Martin

Patricia Marroquin Norby (Purépecha)— Associate Curator of Native American Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Scott Malouf—Owner of Drest and Malouf on the Plaza

Russell Sanchez (San Ildefonso Pueblo)— Potter

L. Stephine Poston (Sandia Pueblo)— CEO Poston & Associates

Tazbah McCullah (Diné/Navajo)—General Manager KSFR FM

Tom Teegarden—Vice President at High Water Mark, LLC

Randy Chitto (Mississippi Choctaw)— Sculpture Artist

JoAnn Chase (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Indian Nation)— Director of the American Indian Environmental Office, Office of International and Tribal Affairs

Walter Lamar (Blackfeet Nation/ Wichita Tribe)— Lamar Associates, Tribal Nations Consultant

Media Inquiries:

Audrey Rubinstein 505-490-5029| audrey@themettaagency.com

About The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA):
The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is a non-profit organization supporting Native American arts and culture. It creates economic and cultural opportunities for Native American artists by producing and promoting the Santa Fe Indian Market, the biggest and most prestigious Indian art event in the world since 1922; 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.org 

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SOURCE Southwestern Association for Indian Arts

Kim Peone | Executive Director of SWAIA

Wake Up Call’s MK Mendoza speaks with Executive Director, Kim Peone

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Indigenous Resilience Transforms Into Success and Poetic Justice at Virtual Santa Fe Indian Market

By MK MENDOZA • OCT 22, 2020
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kim Peone | Colville Confederated Tribes / Eastern Band of Cherokee IndiansWake Up Call’s MK Mendoza speaks with Executive Director of SWAIA, Kim Peone about the success experienced at this year’s virtual Santa Fe Indian Market, now placing it in the lead as a model for helping artists survive the pandemic. Once again the indigenous community shines with resilience: A moment of poetic justice as we pay homage to a population American history has not only attempted to conquer but all too often criminally neglected.

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‘Walk with Pride’, Santa Fe Indian Market Haute Fashion Show documentary (short film) Wins Regional Emmy

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 Walk with Pride, Santa Fe Indian Market Haute Fashion Show documentary (short film)

 Wins Regional Emmy

 On Saturday, September 19th, 2020 “Walk with Pride,” a short documentary about the popular Indigenous Fashion Show at the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA), was awarded a Rocky Mountain Regional Emmy in the category of Special Event Coverage. The six-minute film was created by videographer Kaela Waldstein of Mountain Mover Media, who worked with SWAIA’s Fashion Show producer Amber-Dawn Bear Robe to highlight the stories behind the featured designers.

Still from the film Walk with Pride ©Mountain Mover Media

According to Bear Robe, “The show highlights Indigenous fashion designers who look to their cultural past to create clothing, jewelry, and accessories that embody the essence of ancestral memory while creative innovative designs representing the now.” In the film, Bear Robe provides an overview of the misconceptions surrounding Indigenous Art and the problematic nature of terms like “traditional” and “authentic” as well as how the show allows a platform for Indigenous designers to express themselves without the limitations that historically have defined them.

Included Indigenous designers are Jamie Okuma, Sho Sho Esquiro, Cody Sanderson, Maya Stewart, Yolanda Skelton, Shane Watson, Decontie & Brown, Pamela Baker, and Adrian Standing Elk Pinnecoose. Along with interviews with some of these designers, models and attendees also lend their voices, and there is a glimpse of World Champion Hoop Dancer Nakotah LaRance’s opening performance. Stunning and vibrant imagery of models walking down the runway wearing each of the designers’ work is shown throughout the video.

Before “Walk with Pride” was submitted for consideration to the Regional Emmys, the film made the rounds in the film festival circuit with 14 screenings across the U.S.  Walk with Pride won awards for Best Documentary at Fashion Film Festival Chicago and New Mexico Filmmakers Showcase and was nominated for awards at the Seattle International Film Festival and Borderscene Film Festival.

 In 2020, because a large in-person event was not possible, SWAIA and Bear Robe worked with Waldstein to create a virtual fashion event – a series of intimate bio-pics about seven Indigenous Designers, plus a pre-recorded intimate show of local designer Orlando Dugi’s 2020 capsule collection. The video streamed at this year’s Virtual Indian Market to great fanfare.

Bear Robe and Waldstein are currently applying for grants to produce additional films around the theme of how Indigenous designers of today are incorporating contemporary elements into their designs as they honor their cultural heritage(s).

Press release and information courtesy of Amber-Dawn Bear Robe and Kaela Waldstein

https://mountainmovermedia.com/about

 

Media Inquiries:

METTA

Audrey N Rubinstien

audrey@themettaagency.com

505-490-5029

 

 

Q & A with 2020 Merchandise Artist Adrian Standing Elk Pinnecoose

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Adrian Standing Elk Pinnecoose is a Diné digital artist who specializes in 2-D creations and 3-D printed jewelry, and was featured in the 2018 Fashion Show with a line of 3-D printed looks.

With a Virtual Indian Market, his futuristic designs with natural elements was a natural choice for this year’s merchandise.

We asked Adrian a few questions to find out more about his inspiration and his process. Here is what he said:

How long have  you been doing art and how did you start?  

I’ve been doing art as long as I can remember. My mom put me in a lot of different art programs as a child. I played the piano, beaded, painted, you name it, my mom introduced me to a variety of different mediums. Growing up in Santa Fe too, was rich in culture and always lively.

How long have you been an Indian Market artist?

I used to participate in the Youth Market making beadwork and watercolor paintings. After that I would share with my mom off and on. Then I decided to take a break and felt the need to focus my process on something new. I decided to attend UNM and study architecture. 

Do you come from a family of artists? 

Yes, my entire family did an array of different art. It helped inspire my thought process creating my art and where I wanted to go with it. Also my mom introduced me to her friends which were artists as well and I got to see many different perspectives growing up within the art community. 

What is your process for creation, and where do you draw your inspiration?

When I start on a new project I make sure I facilitate a strong vernacular language that can be read on many different views. Throughout the years of creating artwork the main qualitative aspect has been a rug design that my great-grandmother weaved. It has been the foundation to my process and how I translate that concept into my 2D graphics, fashion and now jewelry. My inspiration comes from life and my identity of whom I am as a person. It’s a constant evolution applying digital applications to tell my story.

What was your reaction to being asked to be the merchandise artist?

To be honest it caught me off guard. My process is anything but traditional and at times can be a controversial topic how art is portrayed within the Indigenous art community. It means a great deal to me being asked and I hope it opens the doors for younger artists creating work through unique processes. 

What is the meaning behind your piece, Tranquil Vitality?

Tranquil Vitality is apart of my newest series titled “Pandemonium of Beauty,” that brings harmony and chaos as one. I wanted to use vibrant colors to illustrate a sense of euphoria. During these times I needed to create a place of happiness to help focus my sense-ability and I wanted to share that with everybody. A place to escape and engage the mind during these unsettling times. 

What was your reaction to Indian Market going Virtual?

I thought it was a great way to help artists establish their digital presents. A way to build on an ever growing digital platform that we all live in today. It’s a great way to stay connected with your audience and to connect with others globally.

Adrian’s Website

Buy 2020 Merchandise Now!

Vircadia

SWAIA Develops “NDN World:” A Virtual 3D World Showcasing Native Art

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If you haven’t heard of NDN World yet, don’t worry, you will soon. In March, the Southwestern Association of Indian Arts, the non-profit that produces the 99-year-old Santa Fe Indian Market, embarked on a project with consulting partners, the Clark Hulings Fund and Free Agent Source to create a virtual gathering space. The virtual space, named NDN World, is the location of this year’s Santa Fe Indian Market Best-of-Show Awards.

“Those of us working on the SWAIA project love it so much we hope to do more projects like this. Implementing virtual collaboration and expo space on the Vircadia platform for organizations and corporate clients is a growing practice area,” said Steve Pruneau, co-owner of Free Agent Source, responsible for consulting operations.



NDN WORLD—3D, modeled after the Santa Fe Convention Center with design elements such as a kiva fireplace from the La Fonda Hotel and textiles modeled from images of Shiprock Santa Fe’s collection, now exists on the open source Vircadia Platform. Vircadia is an online metaverse: participants can connect and create with others in an immersive and interactive virtual world. 

Avatars visiting NDN World in the Vircadia Multiverse

NDN World demonstrates the non-profit’s commitment to the future, embracing new ways of showcasing Native art and entrepreneurship in an increasingly digital world. “I think it is amazing that a Native American art festival is stepping into the virtual world. All of the collaborators on this year’s Virtual Indian Market are setting the bar, embracing the future,” said Elizabeth Hulings, founder of the Clark Hulings Fund for Visual Artists. 

SWAIA’s Executive Director Kim Peone (Colleville Confederated Tribes/ Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) has a history of organizational leadership and enacting change. She is the first woman to lead SWAIA in the organization’s almost 100-year history. Her goals for SWAIA are both immediate and long term. 

“I immediately recognized the potential in creating a virtual space to showcase the best in Native art, to educate visitors about the North American Indigenous Nations and to gather with people from around the world,” said Executive Director Kim Peone. 

Join This Year’s Virtual Experiences:

On Saturday, August 15, SWAIA Members with Select/Premium and VIP Access will have the opportunity to attend the first-ever, live “In World” virtual awards program sponsored by JoAnn and Bob Balzer. Awards will be announced in 11 categories, including a newly designated Virtual Grand Award.

  • Jewelry
  • Pottery
  • 2-D
  • Pueblo Wooden Sculptures
  • Sculpture
  • Textiles
  • Diverse Arts
  • Beadwork/Quillwork
  • Basketry
  • Youth
  • Virtual Grand Award 

Special Awards will be presented in the following categories:

  • “Elaborate Face Masks”
  • “Solidarity in our Current Times”
  • “Executive Director’s Award: Honoring Your Mother and Father”

The Virtual Awards Program will begin In World at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, or visitors with Select/Premium and VIP access can watch the live-streamed event at SWAIA.org 

August 22: SWAIA Gala and Benefit Auction

The Gala begins at 3:00 p.m. MST followed by the Benefit Auction at 4:00 p.m.

For additional information on how to install Vircadia software on a Mac or PC and an ‘In World’ user experience guide, visit swaia.org. SWAIA will offer technical support to members throughout the month of August, Monday to Friday, 12:00 pm (Mac Users) and 2:00 pm (PC Users). 

PRESS INQUIRIES

Press interested in previewing NDN World, please contact Audrey Rubinstein to join an In-World Press Preview.

            audrey@themettaagency.com

            505.466.6992 or 505.490.5029 

 

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About Virtual Indian Market:
The Indian Market 2020 (The Virtual Edition) is Delivered By Close Collaboration Between the SWAIA, the Clark Hulings Fund, ArtSpan, Vircadia and Madpipe.

Southwest Association For Indian Arts

OUR MISSION

Bringing Native arts to the world by inspiring artistic excellence, fostering education, and creating meaningful partnerships.

SOUTHWESTERN ASSOCIATION for INDIAN ARTS

© 2023 Southwestern Association for Indian Arts

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