Experience Native American Art and Culture and Shop for One-of-a-Kind Items at the Natural History Museum of Utah's Seventh Annual Indian Art Market

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 1, 2019 — For an immersive experience at the intersection of culture, art and nature, join the Natural History Museum of Utah for its 2019 Indian Art Market on Saturday and Sunday, October 12 – 13, in the Museum’s expansive Canyon area. 

This year’s juried show and sale will feature diverse works from 30 native artists, and as always, it’s free to the public. Nestled along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, at 301 Wakara Way, marketgoers can browse, shop and meet individual artists from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. 

Twenty-two artists will be returning to the Museum with new works to show and sell. Eight will be attending with their original creations for the very first time. First time entrants include Ambrose Atencio, a traditional Santo Domingo Pueblo potter who specializes in hand coiled and traditional hand-painted Santo Domingo designs; Native Alaskan artist Sam Dimmick, whose ivory, whalebone and stone carving was learned from a long line of family members; and Navajo rug maker Etta Peacock, who is considered one of the finest Navajo Yei weavers of today. 

“We particularly love welcoming back the first, second, and third place winners from last year’s show,” explains Museum Store Manager and creator of the Museum’s Indian Art Market Suzanne Ruhlman. “It’s quite exciting to anticipate what expressive new works artists will present each year. Their creations are always exquisitely crafted and delightfully unique.” 

In 2018, Navajo/Hopi artist Kevin Horace Quannie won Best of Show for his carving of a contemporary corn maiden kachina. Navajo silversmith Bruce Joe received second place for his inlaid sterling silver hummingbird, and Northern Arapaho artist Robert Martinez was awarded 3rd place for his airbrushed acrylic of “Little Chief.” 

As a mentor to emerging artists on Wyoming’s Wind River Reservation, Martinez believes the Utah Indian Art Market is a great way to see and collect authentic native artwork and hear the stories behind those creations from the artists themselves. 

Glenna Nielsen-Grimm, anthropology collections manager at the Museum and a judge for the juried show adds, “we try to give awards based on quality, originality and artistic appeal. It’s really rewarding to see the professional artwork that comes to the Museum during the Art Market, but it’s especially challenging to select the ones that stand out from the rest.” 

Guests browsing the market will also enjoy the soothing melodies of native flute by award-winning performer Nino Reyes. Indian Art Market visitors to the Natural History Museum of Utah are invited to explore the Museum’s 10 permanent galleries, including the First Peoples and Native Voices exhibits, with a regular Museum admission ticket. This information and Museum tickets can be found online at: https://nhmu.utah.edu/. 

2019 Indian Art Market Artists 

• Kevin Horace Quannie – Hopi – Painting/Kachinas – 2018 Best of Show 
• Bruce Joe – Navajo – Jewelry – 2018, 2nd place 
• Robert Martinez – Northern Arapaho – 2018, 3rd place 
• Aaron Garcia – Santo Domingo Pueblo – Jewelry 
• Ambrose Atencio – Santo Domingo Pueblo – Pottery 
• Andy Marion – Navajo – Jewelry 
• Bob Lansing- Navajo – Pottery 
• Calvin & Pillar Lovato – Santo Domingo Pueblo – Jewelry  
• Christine Latone – Zuni – Jewelry 
• Eldrick Seoutewa – Zuni – Jewelry 
• Etta Claw Peacock – Navajo – Textiles/Rugs 
• Frank Carillo – Laguna – Jewelry/Sculpture 
• Frank & Evelyn Chee – Navajo – Jewelry 
• Gilmore Scott – Navajo – Painting 
• Jimmie Harrison – Navajo – Jewelry 
• Lester Ortiz – Navajo – Jewelry 
• Manuel Weahkee – Zuni – Fetish carving/Inlaid Jewelry 
• Mariah Cuch – Northern Ute – Beadwork 
• Michael Billie – Navajo – Mixed Media 
• Mitch Battese – Chickasaw/Prairie Band Potawatomi – Painting/Drawing 
• Nelson Garcia – Santo Domingo Pueblo – Jewelry 
• Peggy Fontenot – Patawomeck/Potawatomi/Cherokee - Photography 
• Phyllis Coonis – Zuni – Jewelry 
• Priscilla Tacheney – Navajo – Photography 
• Randy Dukepoo – Hopi – Painting/Sculpture 
• Rosabelle Shepherd – Navajo – Jewelry 
• Sam Dimmick – Alaskan Eskimo – Sculpture 
• Shawn Deel – Navajo/Hopi – Kachinas (Katsinsa) 
• Susan Hudson – Navajo – Textiles 
• Todd Westika – Zuni – Fetishes