The 104th Indian Market, held at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, celebrated the finest Native American artists and their exceptional work. Among the honored artists was Sergio Lugo of Santa Clara Pueblo, who took home the coveted Best of Show award for his stunning piece, Floating Melon Bowl.
This year’s event showcased a diverse range of artistic mediums, including jewelry, pottery, textiles, painting, sculpture, and more. The market also featured live performances, cultural demonstrations, and engaging panel discussions, making it a vibrant celebration of Indigenous creativity and culture.
Sergio Lugo’s Journey to Victory
Sergio Lugo’s artistic journey began at the tender age of 7, when he held his first pottery show. His first client was his father, who patiently waited all day to purchase his pieces, which, as Lugo humorously noted, looked like a 7-year-old made them.
Lugo’s win was particularly special given the history of Floating Melon Bowl which he almost did not finish. The final version was the bowl’s fourth iteration. Lugo knew what he wanted to create but struggled with the execution. He started by making a miniature version and faced challenges when creating the larger version, with all the legs cracking as he carved it.
Despite the setbacks, Lugo persevered, working on the piece largely nonstop from midnight to noon, April through August. His dedication paid off, and he was thrilled that people recognized the hard work he put into the piece. Lugo expressed his gratitude for representing his Pueblo and his ancestors, including his mother, sister-in-law, and late great-grandmother, Margaret Tafoya, who have also won the Best of Show award in years past.
The Revival of Lugo’s Artistic Career
Lugo credits his mother with helping to revitalize his art career in 2026, six years after he decided to quit pottery permanently. Every year following that declaration, his mother encouraged him to start creating again, offering to give him clay. Eventually, Lugo returned to his craft, making 10 pieces and relearning everything he had struggled with prior.
He arrived at the Indian Market with $500 in his pocket, 10 pots, and no idea how to pay rent the next day. However, people appreciated his work, and he fought back tears as he walked to the stage to accept his award. Lugo expressed his gratitude for everyone who supported him, emphasizing that while hard work is essential, a little help goes a long way.
Other Notable Winners
More than 150 judges and volunteers reviewed and critiqued this year’s entries, honoring artists from New Mexico tribes and pueblos. Beyond the Best of Show, the Southwest Association for Indian Arts gave out 10 other awards across different classifications. Special awards, including the Institute of American Indian Arts Alumni Award, were also distributed.
Marla Allison of Laguna Pueblo won the painting, drawing, graphics, and photography classification for her painting titled Life a self-portrait representing her resilience and that of all people. Made with acrylic paint and gold and silver leaf, the large piece features eye-catching pops of bright red and splashes of a starry night sky.
Allison described the piece as a representation of the highs and lows of life. She felt lucky to be part of the world’s largest Indian Market alongside her fellow artists. The painting includes symbolic Easter eggs that harken back to her personal journey and what she hopes to embody, such as a bow guard, which is traditionally worn by men in her culture but which she feels she has earned.
Other notable winners include Jack Tom of the Diné tribe for his Dragonfly jewelry piece, Arthur Holmes, Jr. of the Hopi tribe for his Eototo sculpture, and Aydrian Day of the Ho-Chunk/Anishinaabe/Lakota tribes for his Wambli Gleska Win penny dress in the youth category.
Celebrating Indigenous Creativity and Culture
The Indian Market is not just about selling wares; it also allows Indigenous artists, cultural leaders, storytellers, and Tribal Nations to celebrate their creativity, strengthen community, and discuss current issues shaping Indigenous communities.
This year’s event featured important conversations about the role Indigenous artists play in protecting sacred places. Art, music, film, storytelling, and advocacy allow artists to preserve culture, raise awareness, and inspire the protection of places central to Native identity. The market offered plenty of conversation along with music, storytelling, and art.
One of the most important conversations centered on the protection of sacred places, with panelists discussing how art, film, music, humor, and storytelling have become powerful tools for protecting Indigenous sacred places. The discussion explored lessons from Standing Rock while focusing on current efforts to protect places such as Hickory Ground and Chaco Canyon.
