Celebrate Folk Art and Volunteer with Global Artisans

In the world of the best-of-the-best artisanal markets, none rises higher than the International Folk Art Market on Museum Hill in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This July marks 15 years of art and impact as 150 folk artists from 50 countries gather at the world’s largest, most diverse folk art festival to celebrate cherished craft traditions and contribute to global unity and economic change. This year’s honorary chair is Nobel Peace Prize-Winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a leader and believer in creating economic change for impoverished communities through social innovation and entrepreneurship.

From the Friday night opening celebration on July 13 through Sunday, July 15, you can meet, mingle, and purchase from these master artisans, all the while listening to live music from other global artists. And there’s so much more than just the market—the artisan procession, lectures, folk art demonstrations, and the many exhibitions around this event make this city vibrate with international flavor.

A view of the bustling market.

Nilda Callañaupa from the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (left) and two Ock Pop Tok artisans on left during the procession.

Musicians adds cultural vibrancy to the world stage.

Meet Textile Artisans

While some of the ClothRoads artisans and their respective organizations have the honor of being accepted into this prestigious market, it’s a small percentage in comparison to the 150 master artists who made the final cut. And while some artists attend one year, they might not make it another year–all the more reason to attend this market yearly.

This year, we’ll get to visit with Ock Pop Tok from Laos, Sidr Craft from India, Center for Traditional Textile of Cusco from Peru, Ixbalem Ke Cooperative from Guatemala, Margilan Crafts Development Center from Uzbekistan, Aziz Khatri from India and The Red Sari from Nepal. Most likely, we’ll meet new artisans who we will introduce to you over the coming months.

ClothRoads Linda Stark with Jo Smith of Ock Pop Tok.

Amalia Gue and her daughter Martita from Ixbalem Ke cooperative Guatemala.

Artisan Aziz Khatri and Judy Frater among Aziz’s lush bandhani scarves in 2015.

Volunteer and Share

It takes thousands of volunteers with the collective biggest heart imaginable to make this event happen. The FAM is in need of more volunteers than ever and, especially if you’re within driving distance to Santa Fe, please give of your time. Click here and this link will take you to the volunteer opportunities. Please SHARE this blog with others who want to dive deep into the world of folk art.