Book follows Natives’ place in the Market

Santa Fe Indian Market debuted in 1922. Back then it bore the official name of Southwest Indian Fair and Arts and Crafts Exhibition and it was presented as part of the Santa Fe Fiestas. The fair was held inside the National Guard Armory on Washington Avenue behind the Palace of the Governors.

That background is from the first chapter of Bruce Bernstein’s new book, “Santa Fe Indian Market — A History of Native Arts and the Marketplace.” Bernstein will discuss and sign copies of the book at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, at Collected Works, 202 Galisteo, Santa Fe.

Edgar L. Hewett, the director of the Museum of New Mexico, opened that first Indian Fair on Sept. 4, 1922. The book’s introduction says that years before, at the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, Hewett had “conceived of a ‘Santa Fe style’ of architecture and envisioned using Santa Fe Fiesta … to promote Santa Fe’s appeal as a tourist center.”

Chapter Two goes back further in time. It states that by the late 1880s, several forces had brought the state’s Native peoples to the awareness of the general public. The most important force, Bernstein writes, was the railroad. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway had arrived in New Mexico in 1878; it reached to within 18 miles of Santa Fe two years later. A spur line was constructed from Lamy to Santa Fe.

Bernstein is executive director of the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, which sponsors Santa Fe Indian Market. The Museum of New Mexico Press is the publisher.

MORE AT COLLECTED WORKS: The bookstore is hosting these other events. … Suzanne Deats and Kitty Leaken talk about their book “Contemporary Native American Artists” at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, at Collected Works, 202 Galisteo. Some artists profiled are expected to attend. The store said that proceeds of sales of the book will benefit the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, sponsor of Indian Market. … A number of authors autograph their books at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16. They include Michael Naranjo (“Inner Vision: The Sculpture of Michael Naranjo”), Bobby Bridger (“Where the Tall Grass Grows”), Lois Ellen Frank and Walter Whitewater (“Foods of the Southwest Indian Nations”), Joseph Marshall (“The Lakota Way of Strength and Courage”), James Kristofic (“Navajos Wear Nikes”), Diana Pardue and Norman Sandfield (“Native American Bolo Ties”) and Barry Katzen and Paul Baxter (“Southwestern Indian Rings”). The store will have a booth on the Santa Fe Plaza during Indian Market.

AT BOOKWORKS: The store at 4022 Rio Grande NW hosts these events this week. … Mark Sublette chats about his new novel, “Paint By Numbers: A Charles Bloom Mystery,” at 3 p.m. today. Sublette is owner of Santa Fe’s Medicine Man Gallery. … Amy Shea discusses her book, “Defending Happiness, and Other Acts of Bravery,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14. The story collection shows how one woman facing breast cancer, online dating and motherhood uses audacity and wit to not only survive, but reclaim her right to happiness. … Michael Chavez reads from his new book, “CREED,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16. Publishers Weekly said Chavez’s book is “a thriller with puzzling twists aplenty … the manuscript creates a web in which the innocents are the accused, the accusers are the criminals, and the plot doesn’t stop gyrating until the very end.”

IN OLD TOWN: Kirt Hickman signs his new children’s book, “Purple,” from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Treasure House Books & Gifts, 2012 South Plaza NW.

AT COSTCO: Chester Nez and Judith Schiess Avila sign their book “Code Talker” at two Costco locations Tuesday, Aug. 14 — from noon-2 p.m. at the store at 9955 Coors Bypass NW and from 4-6 p.m. at the store at 500 Eubank SE.