The Santa Fe Indian Market is celebrating its 88th year in 2009

Who: The Southwest Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) What: Annual Membership Meeting Where: Vanessie's Restaurant, 434 W. San Francisco St., Santa Fe, NM When: Tuesday, January 27, 6pm to 7:30 pm How Much: Free SANTA FE, NM)-Santa Fe is a town that embraces its traditions firmly, but isn't afraid to lead the tides of change, especially in the visual arts. The Southwest Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) produces the Santa Fe Indian Market, which is Santa Fe's largest annual public event and the most prestigious Indian art market in the world. It attracts over 100,000 visitors each year, while showcasing established and emerging Native American artists. What may not be clear to the general public is the depth of involvement and unconditional support that SWAIA has for the Native arts and Santa Fe communities. Throughout its 88 year history, the Santa Fe Indian Market has been the central event in establishing the relevance of Native arts in the United States and the primary architect in shaping the cultural identity of Santa Fe. The Market is the voice and platform for Native artists to promote their art practice and the singularly most important cultural event in the United States that has provided autonomy and stability to the Native arts community. And although the Santa Fe Indian Market is rooted deeply in tradition, it is making bold leaps of reinvention to support native artists in all stages of their career. SWAIA is excited to begin another year of programs and events and invites the public to attend its Annual Membership Meeting. SWAIA's Executive Director Bruce Bernstein and Board Director Fran Mullin will outline this year's programs and initiatives including details about the Santa Fe Indian Market scheduled for August 22-23, 2009. A complete 2009 SWAIA schedule of events is available on our updated website www. swaia.org. The website features a new online application for prospective artist applicants. For more information on this and other SWAIA events please contact Marketing and Public Relations Associate Gabe Gomez at ggomez@swaia.org or (505) 983-5220 x 229 # # # The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, a non-profit organization, is an advocate for Native American arts and cultures (particularly those in the Southwest). SWAIA creates economic and cultural opportunities for Native American artists by: producing and promoting the Santa Fe Indian Market as the finest Indian art event in the world, 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 is located at 141 East Palace Avenue in Santa Fe, N.M.; telephone number 505-983-5220; www.swaia.org.