Santa Fe's 47th Whitehawk Show showcases authentic Native American art from the past
The 47th Annual Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show Returns to Santa Fe
The 47th annual Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show, a long-standing prestigious event, is set to return to Santa Fe from August 8–11. This significant event showcases a wide range of historic and contemporary Indigenous art and ethnographic pieces, attracting collectors from around the country.
Held annually for nearly five decades, the Whitehawk Show gathers more than 130 experts and exhibitors from across the United States, Canada, and worldwide. The event presents thousands of select artifacts, including textiles, pottery, jewelry, beadwork, paintings, and woodcarving from Native American and other indigenous cultures.
Kim Martindale, who cofounded the show when he was 16, is excited about this year's event. Martindale, who has a long-standing interest in Indigenous art, particularly American Indian textiles, believes historic Indigenous art has only recently started to receive recognition in Western art history.
One of the highlights of the show is the Hopi katsina exhibit, presented by Barry Walsh, a renowned katsina scholar. Another notable exhibitor is Thomas Cleary, a private dealer based in Santa Fe, who specializes in exceptional material from the horse cultures of the Great Plains. Cleary is particularly excited about a few unique pieces, particularly in the world of parfleche and beadwork. Parfleche, rawhide containers painted with dramatic colors and designs, were used as carrying cases.
John Krena, owner of Four Winds Gallery in Pittsburgh, has been exhibiting at Whitehawk since the early 1980s. Krena will exhibit a large selection of pottery by Pueblo artist Maria Martinez, Navajo weavings, and early Pueblo paintings. He will also bring a collection of rare 19th and early 20th century necklaces, including one from the collection of Navajo leader Chee Dodge (1860-1947).
The Whitehawk Show serves as a major platform for the preservation, appreciation, and scholarly exhibition of Indigenous art and cultural heritage. It highlights the importance of these historic objects and the living traditions behind them, fostering education and awareness around Indigenous cultures and their artistic contributions.
Indigenous cultures from around the world, including Australia, Africa, and the Himalayas, will be represented at the show. This year's event will also feature educational exhibits, including one on Chimayó weavings and another on Hopi katsina figures.
For many, the Whitehawk Show is like having the Super Bowl come to town, featuring the best of the best in historic Indigenous art. It remains an essential gathering for experts and collectors to view and acquire significant Indigenous and ethnographic art, sustaining its role as a vital cultural event in Santa Fe’s rich artistic landscape.
The Whitehawk Show will host a preview event benefiting SWAIA (Southwestern Association for Indian Arts) before the main event. Don't miss this unique moment to immerse yourself in the world of Indigenous art and culture.
News of the 47th annual Whitehawk Show returning to Santa Fe from August 8–11 not only excites collectors of Indigenous art but also enthusiasts of arts, lifestyle, education, and home-and-garden, as the showcase incorporates a wide variety of cultural artifacts, including textiles, pottery, jewelry, and paintings, representing Indigenous cultures from various regions such as Australia, Africa, and the Himalayas. This event serves as a significant platform for the preservation and appreciation of Indigenous art and cultural heritage, fostering education and awareness about these living traditions.
