Heard Museum's Annual Indian Fair and Market
Native American Art Displayed and for Sale in Phoenix
Feb 27, 2009
Visiting the Heard Museum is an educational experience in the best examples of Native American art in the country. A worthwhile adventure any time of year, the added bonus of the annual Indian Fair and Market makes the weekend of March 7 and 8 an opportune time to visit the museum. This year the largest Indian market in Arizona celebrates the beginning of another 50 years of shows. Over 700 artists proudly display their handcrafted pottery, jewelry, textiles, katsinas dolls, paintings and sculpture. The event brings native cultures together in one marketplace where spectators and buyers can compare and appreciate the vast talents of the Native American peoples.
Weekend Events
The event kicks off on March 6 with musical performances in the evening from 5:30 to 9:00. On Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. after a color guard and national anthem presentation, the market opens for business. A variety of musical performances and dancers appear both Saturday and Sunday until 4:30 p.m. The colorful costumes of the tribes are worn by talented dancers who represent the ongoing traditions of Hopi, Paiute, Comanche, Apache and other native peoples. Vibrant and expressive music and dance bring the Heard Museum to life and fill the plaza with the sounds of early American heritage.
The main event is the vast amount of Native American art for sale by the skilled craftsmen and artists of each tribe. Talking with the artist and learning about the signature pieces from each Arizona nation is enlightening and makes purchasing an authentic piece a memorable experience.
A new attraction this year, “Hopi: The Matriarchy” celebrates the Hopi women artists and the Hopi community. A trading post replica makes an interesting visit and an educational experience for children to learn about business on the reservations.
There will also be a cluster of food vendors who offer unusual and traditional Native American cuisine. Fry bread is always popular and posole stew, Hopi stew and piki bread gives the visitor an opportunity to experience new tastes. Mexican food and American snacks and beverages are sold at the snack stands.
Heard Museum Displays
The many exhibits and entertainment outside may deter visitors from the museum itself but if time allows, the Heard Museum displays are excellent representations of Native American culture and art. In one large exhibit, “We the People”, individual cubicles have been prepared by various tribes and represent each Arizona nation. The well designed displays include maps to locate the reservation areas, examples of art, textiles, pottery and jewelry that best represent the unique traits of each tribe.
The museum also houses an extensive collection of fine art, Hopi katsina dolls, Navajo rugs, Zuni pottery and turquoise jewelry. An exhibit in the Sandra Day O’Conner gallery holds an unusual collection of miniature silver pieces.
Location and Prices
The Heard Museum is located in the central Phoenix area at 2301 N. Central Ave. The admission price for the Indian Fair is $15.00 for adults; children under 16 years old are free.
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