Held in Santa Fe’s Railyard Park, the International Folk Art Market (IFAM) features booths from hundreds of artists selling handmade, fair-trade goods including pottery, jewelry, wooden toys, and (of course) textiles of all kinds. Where else can you buy Japanese shibori silk scarves, a naturally dyed handwoven wool rug from Mexico, and kente cloth from Ghana—and then talk to the makers of each one? It’s a textile lover’s paradise!
Ngang Ignatius Fru, Mankon weaver from Cameroon at the Santa Fe Folk Art Market. Photo by Bob Smith
The official mission of the market is “to create economic opportunities for and with folk artists worldwide who celebrate and preserve folk art traditions.” Ninety percent of the sale price of each item goes back to the maker, while the other ten percent is used to support the next year’s market and pay for travel stipends for the next batch of new artists. (For more information on the market and how the benefits work, check out the article by Marilyn Romatka in the May/June 2014 issue of Handwoven magazine.)
Beautiful textiles from Cambodia at the International Folk Art Market. Photo by Jane Bernard
2024 will mark the 20th annual event. Events are scheduled for the days leading up to the market including book signings, lectures, and the annual artist procession in Santa Fe’s downtown plaza. More information on all the special events and how to buy tickets can be found on the International Folk Art Market website.
The work of over 160 artists from 50 countries will be featured. As in previous years, most of the artists themselves will also be in attendance and available to talk about their work. Many of the artists speak English, and there are often translators available for those who do not, so you can learn all about the artwork and the traditions behind it from the makers themselves.
Beyond textiles, the IFAM also features musical performances, family activities, and an international food bazaar. If the weather gets too hot, there are several air-conditioned museums on Museum Hill within the boundaries of the market including the must-see Museum of International Folk Art.
Quilt by Ramu Devraj Harijan from Kutch, India. Photo courtesy of the artist and the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market
Find complete details on the International Folk Art Market, including a full list of artists and entertainers, information on shuttles to the market, and where to stay in Santa Fe, at the IFAM website.
Happy weaving!
Christina Garton is the editor of Easy Weaving with Little Looms.
Originally published June 25, 2019; updated June 3, 2024.