Market Value
A wave of arts markets hit Santa Fe just in time for the holidays
Santa Fe is an art town, duh, but you already knew that. And while the holiday season can seem a bit tense, the city’s creators and artists aren’t slowing down—there are at least four arts markets popping off this weekend.
The relative art market newcomers at the New Mexico School for the Arts kick off their second annual student art market, Illuminate on Thursday. According to coordinator and the school’s Visual Arts Chair/Instructor Karen Hean, “folks looking to shop local this holiday season and those hoping to inspire and support young New Mexico creatives will truly enjoy this art fair—half of all sales directly benefit the artist and the other half supports the Visual Art Department supply fund at our non-profit, tuition free, state-wide arts high school.” The art will be generally more affordable than at similar events, too, with most pieces running between $10-$40, according to Hean.
Meanwhile, the Santa Fe Artists Market hardly needs an introduction, but in case you hadn’t heard, it goes down every Saturday in the Railyard and has been a local staple for over a decade. This is the go-to place for anyone looking to peruse local visual arts, crafts and other wares ranging from leatherwork to sculpture. The Santa Fe Artists Market has a little something for everyone, all of which is created by local juried artists.
Finally, the Santa Fe Community College and the Institute of American Indian Arts continue the collaboration with their annual joint holiday art markets. With more than 150 of New Mexico’s finest artists showing and selling their work, you’re bound to find something good. (Callie Elkins)
New Mexico School for the Arts Student Art Market: Illuminate: 5-6 pm Thursday, Dec. 11-Saturday, Dec. 13 Free. New Mexico School for the Arts, 500 Montezuma Ave, nmschoolforthearts.org/event/va-set-up-illuminate-student-art-market-in-gallery/
Santa Fe Artists Market: 9 am-2 pm Saturday, Dec. 13. Free. Santa Fe Artists Market, 505 Market St., santafeartistsmarket.com
Institute of American Indian Arts: Holiday Art Market: 9 am-4 pm Saturday, Dec. 13. Free. Institute of American Indian Art, 83 Avan Nu Po Road, iaia.edu/event/2025holidayartmarket
SFCC 2025 Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair: 9 am-4 pm Saturday, Dec. 13. Free. Santa Fe Community College, 6401 Richards Ave., sfcc.edu/sfcc-holiday-arts-and-crafts-fair
It’s Pat
Courtesy Artes de Cuba
Did you happen to catch A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant? In the documentary about the great political cartoonist, filmmaker (and Sky Cinemas owner) Bill Banowsky presents a compelling history of the mind-bogglingly influential Oliphant, from his impacts on illustration and political commentary as we know them to the background that led him to become one of the world’s most notable artists. If not, you should find and watch it. If so, how awesome was that movie? Now, Midtown gallery Artes de Cuba is providing even more with the new show A Tribute to Patrick Oliphant: Oliphant at 90. There you’ll have the chance to see 70 years of illustrations and cartoons—plus bronze sculptures—while ringing in Oliphant’s 90th. Oh, did we not mention he’s a Santa Fean? Well, he is. And he’s amazing. (Alex De Vore)
A Tribute to Patrick Oliphant: Oliphant at 90 (Opening): 4-7 pm Friday, Dec. 12. Free. Artes de Cuba 1700 A Lena St., (505) 303-3138
OK, One More Market
Courtesy String of Lights
Obviously we’ve highlighted a number of holiday markets on this-here page, but we figured we’d throw in one more for everyone still searching for gifts. We’re talkin’ about String of Lights, the annual local vendor market that celebrates 10 years in 2025. There, you’ll find dozens of options from vendors like Cerberus Candle Company, Head Space Earrings, Tia Coco Chocolates, Alberto Zalma Fine Art, Ramblin’ Rose Hat Co., Opal Rugs, Clementine & Co. Jewelry, L’Aventura Perfumes and sooooo many more. Look, we’ve been to String of Lights a number of times, and we always find something unexpected yet brilliant for our giftees. Not only that, but we feel good about the part where we’re supporting locals rather than some horrible, faceless company. (ADV)
String of Lights 10th Annual Holiday Market: 3-9 pm Friday, Dec. 12. Free (but pay for stuff), Farmers Market Pavilion, 1607 Paseo de Peralta, highdesertmarkets.com
The Spirits of the Holidays
Provided
As much as we’ve grown accustomed to the holiday tradition of stealing sips of whiskey from the cupboard while the family does whatever-the-hell in the next room, we figure this might be the year to up our spirits game. Santa Fe Spirits feels this, it seems, and presents the special Holiday Favorites cocktail class on Dec. 13. For the paltry charge of $40, participants can get schooled in season-appropriate drinks from around the world from an expert—and they’ll also get 20% off on bottles of Santa Fe Whiskey, gin, Apple Brandy or the Expedition Vodka. You’ll also get take-home recipe cards in case you forget the steps later, and that discount applies to glassware that would surely make a nice gift for the booze aficionado in your life. Please note you must be 21 or over (duh), and that reservations in advance are required. (ADV)
Santa Fe Spirits Holiday Favorites Cocktail Class: 1-3 pm Saturday, Dec. 13. $40. Santa Fe Spirits, 7505 Mallard Way, (505) 467-8892
