About Spanish Market

In 1965 the Spanish Colonial Arts Society revived Spanish Market, which it originally had sponsored from 1926 until the mid-1930's. Held in conjunction with the annual Indian Market on the Santa Fe Plaza, it renewed the society's commitment to support the artistic growth of Hispanic artists native to New Mexico and southern Colorado and working in traditional art forms. Spanish Market remained part of Indian Market until 1972, when the event took its own place on the plaza during the last full weekend in July. A smaller Winter Market, started by the society in 1989, is held in downtown Santa Fe each December. Today, after two decades of market growth and change, the once-intimate Spanish Market has become the largest exhibition of traditional Hispanic Arts in the United States.

The society honors artistic excellence at the July Spanish Market by purchasing outstanding works of art for its collection and by awarding prizes. Its grand prize, first prize and other special awards recognize distinctive skill and innovation in various media. These awards, funded by the society and private contributions, are determined each year by a private panel of judges.

Carmella Padilla – excerpted from Spanish New Mexico

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