Works by world cinema’s unsung heroes – offering new perspectives into the arts and cultures of the global community. A collaborative project between the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market and CCA. Curated by Emmy-winning writer-producer Kirk Ellis and CCA Cinematheque Director and Sundance Fellow Jason Silverman, this series of five hosted films explores the enduring spirit and cultural tensions of traditional societies in a changing world.

February 14 • A Separation

7:30pm. Introduced by Kirk Ellis with special Skype guest, yet to be confirmed

After his wife Simin leaves him, the middle-class Nader hires Razieh, a devout, impoverished woman, to look after his Alzheimer’s-stricken father. But an accident pulls two families into a spiraling, Kafkaesque labyrinth of Iran’s Islamic legal system.

A Separation was this year’s winner of the Golden Globe Award and has been nominated for Best Foreign Film for the 2012 Academy Awards. Writer-director Asghar Farhadi’s masterpiece explores Iranian class conflict, gender inequalities and cultural tensions with subtlety and elegance. By film’s end, you can feel the tragic spiritual condition of an entire society in your bones. (Iran, 2011, 123m, 35mm, Sony Pictures Classics)

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Dear Market Supporter,

As we begin 2012, I would like to take this time to reflect on our achievements and express my deepest appreciation for supporters like you who make our work at the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market possible.

It is because of you that we can create a dynamic global community that crosses borders, changes lives and brings the world together.

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Elhadji Koumama is a Tuareg silversmith from Niger, and he’s attended the Market since 2009.

Here we take a more detailed look at his work, and how he uses sales from the Market to help his community.

Elhadji learned his skills from his father, himself a renowned silversmith, and he continues the tradition of Tuareg jewelry making using the lost wax method.

Creating the pieces

First, he makes the form of the piece out of wax, and then covers it with clay.

When the clay is dry, Elhadji stokes a fire with bellows made of goat skin, and heats the clay so the wax melts out of it, leaving just the clay mould.

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Matron Mwembe. Photo by Genevieve Russell

Zimbabwean basket artist Matron Mwembe from the Ntengwe for Community Development cooperative is one of our featured artists for our current appeal, and we wanted to check in with her progress since her attendance at the 2011 Market.

We asked Juliana Muskwe, Program Manager of Ntengwe for Community Development, for an update and the news is all good.

Matron Mwembe is now back in formal school, and still committed to her community service.  ‘She still organizes and attends meetings with her cooperative as well as conducts peer education at her school and in the community,’ says Juliana.

Juliana goes on to outline the benefits Matron felt from attending the Market: ‘Besides gaining from the basket sales, Matron said that the Market has really changed her life and mindset.  She has gained from the exposure, she got very good ideas and advice from other artists. Her participation in the trainings has increased her knowledge and skills.’

The earnings from the sale of her gorgeous baskets has enabled Matron to pay for her schools fees and those of her siblings.

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The artist selection process for the 2012 Market is taking place this weekend, and we thought we’d share a little more about how the artists are chosen.

Dr Suzanne Serif, Head of the Artist Selection Committee

The Artist Selection Committee is a team of six experts in their respective fields (Africa, Asia/Central Asia, SE Asia, Latin America/Caribbean, and Mexico) led by folklorist Dr. Suzanne Seriff from the University of Texas at Austin.

They gather at the Market’s office in Santa Fe to review close to 400 applications according to the following criteria:

• artistic quality
• marketability (the appeal of art form/art work to Folk Art Market visitors);
• traditionalism of the art form/art work as well as of the design and the production process
• acquisition of artistic knowledge (how the artist learned their skills)
• the role or use of the art form/art work in the artist’s community

To achieve the right balance and tone for the Market, the Committee also aims to meet as many of the following objectives as possible:

• geographic diversity
• artistic diversity: a broad range of folk art forms/folk art works
• a good balance of returning participants and new participants

People trying to flee the worst of the flooding in Pakistan in September of this year. Photo: Oxfam International

Artisans of Lila Handicrafts from Pakistan have been attending the Folk Art Market since 2004.

At the 2011 Market, they also featured in the ‘The Arts of Survival: Folk Expression in the Face of Natural Disaster’ exhibition at the Museum of International Folk Art, which explored how folk artists have helped their communities recover from recent natural disasters.

The exhibition explored how artisans from Lila Handicrafts had dealt with the floods of 2010. However, on their return from Santa Fe, Naina Valasai and her husband Surendar from Lila Handicrafts faced another natural disaster.

We contacted Surendar and asked him to tell us their story.

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Photo: Bob Smith

Chantha Nguon is the co-director of the Stung Treng Women’s Development Centre (SWDC) in Cambodia, which produces silk weavings in traditional Khmer style under the name Mekong Blue.

She attended the Market for the first time this year, and she got in touch to explain the impact her visit has had on the co-operative and its artists.

Sales at the Market contributed 15% of the group’s total income for the year, providing 37 weavers 3 months’ work at wages of between US$100 – $200 per month. (Chantha points out that an elementary school teachers salary in Cambodia is $50/month, while a medical doctor earns $150/month.)

SWDC also used some of their Market income to continue supporting 100 schoolchildren who are relatives of the Mekong Blue weavers.

Each child receives a school uniform, stationery, book bag, shoes and a small budget for other school expenses.

Telling the Story Behind the Products

One valuable lesson Chantha learned in Santa Fe is that visitors are not only looking for unique products, they are also committed to helping the artists improve their lives.

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Sahalandy weaver Marie Ramanaliniaina at the Market this summer. Photo by Bob Smith.

Association Sahalandy is a group of seven weaving cooperatives representing 80 weavers in the area of Sandrandahy in the central highlands of Madagascar.

They attended the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market for the first time this summer, and they’ve sent us this feedback via Natalie Mundy, a Peace Corps volunteer from Roanoke, Virgina who’s been working with the Association:

‘Sahalandy’s participation in the Folk Art Market has been the answer to an age old question: How would they bridge the gap between their small village in Madagascar and the rest of the world? The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market was exactly that.’

The cooperative made over $30,000 selling their work at the Market, and Natalie takes up the story of what they’re going to do with their earnings:

“˜We had a minor issue with receiving checks (from earnings at the Folk Art Market) from our local bank to properly disperse our money, and we just got it all sorted last week. However, we have had 2 months of meetings to figure out our plan of attack once it arrived.

‘We are planning to use our funds from Santa Fe to build 4 bungalows and a showroom for the tourists that pass through on a regular circuit.

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This year was the first time at the Market for the Bedouin women of the Sidreh co-operative from Israel.

One of their supporters, the US-based forPEACE non-profit, has a great account of the women’s experience here in Santa Fe.

Speaking in the article, Hala Abu-Shareb, Director of Marketing for Sidreh reflects on meeting fellow artists from around the world:

‘We are very different but so similar at the same time. We are all doing something from our culture and are dedicated to it because we believe in it.”

The group enjoyed good sales at their booth, and are planning to apply to return next year.

Abu-Shareb concludes: “It was empowering for the women (in our delegation) to be there – to learn from others and show the world that we exist and are proud of who we are.”

> You can read the full article here.

This Labor Day weekend, a special folk art sale at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe is taking place to benefit the flood ravaged Ralli-quilt-maker villages in Pakistan.

One hundred percent of all sales of Pakistan-made folk art and Ralli quilts will go to support the hundreds of Ralli quilt artisan families who have been represented at the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market and are now suffering from the recent August floods.

Press estimates put the number of people affected by the recent floods in the Sindh region at over 700,000.

On Friday, September 2 there’ll be a buying reception from 5:30 – 7:30 pm with wine and cheese.

The sale continues on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Sept 3 – 5) from 10am – 4pm in the Auditorium of the Museum of International Folk Art, on Camino Lejo (off Old Santa Fe Trail). There is free entry to attend the reception or sale in the Museum’s auditorium.

There will be something for everyone’s taste and pocketbook, including jewelry, hand-woven textiles, beaded bags, lacquerware, ceramics and the famous Ralli quilts.

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Shoppers at the SHINE Humanity booth on the Friday evening Market. Photo by Bob Smith, A Polished Eye

We’ve recently received this lovely testimonial and thank-you note from Laila Karamally, Chief Executive Officer of SHINE Humanity, the organization that had a booth at the Market raising funds for flood relief in Pakistan:

‘Dear Supporters and Friends from the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market,

On the behalf of the people of Pakistan that we serve, and on the behalf of the SHINE Humanity Board of Directors, we are deeply grateful for your warm generosity in helping us raise an astounding $33,013 for our on-going projects benefiting Pakistan’s flood-affected communities.

Right from the time I arrived in Santa Fe, I was overwhelmed by the hospitality and generosity of both the people and the city…Dr. Jenny Hartley, whose months of planning and organizing helped get this event off the ground, Ayesha Khan who received me at the airport and helped get the word out, Mary Charlotte, who had us on her KSFR radio show, creative and knowledgeable co-chair Sylvia Seret who also hosted me in her lovely home, and then co-chair JoAnn Balzer, without whose tireless commitment and enthusiasm, none of this would have been possible.

We would like to recognize the wonderful Shine volunteers whose countless hours of efforts were instrumental in bringing the items to the booth, displaying them and then managing the crowd that descended…for those of you who missed out, it was something to be seen, as our ‘Shine on Pakistan’ Booth was by far the busiest, most happening place in town! The colors, textures, bling, and class – we had it all!  We are deeply grateful to all of you for your professionalism, hard work and enthusiasm in getting the word out on SHINE Humanity to the thousands who shopped with us over those three days. THANK YOU to all the amazing volunteers, who helped make the booth an unqualified success!

We would also like to acknowledge the important contributions of the Pakistan Embassy in D.C. and its Minister of Trade, Mr. Azmat Ranjha, who arranged for a donation of handicrafts from Pakistan. And also the support of Diana MacArthur, whose charitable efforts on behalf of the people of Pakistan and the Market’s Shine booth are to be commended.

We would like to say thank you to the Board and staff of the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market for their vision and leadership in hosting the humanitarian Shine on Pakistan booth at the 2011 Market. The global philanthropic community has a great friend and partner in the Market, an organization that recognizes the importance and value of reaching out to the neediest in the world. In their short history, they have made a significant difference in the lives of so many, including those in Pakistan.

This was really a coming of age for the agency – and a boost in the arm for the on-going primary and preventive care projects in Pakistan.

I look forward to keeping all of you posted in the coming weeks and months as to our progress on the ground. Please do drop by and visit us if you are in California and we hope to stay in touch with all of you!

Laila’

You can learn more about SHINE Humanity here: http://www.shinehumanity.org/

From the desk of Charlene Cerny, Executive Director of the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market

Hello Market Supporters,

So many Market visitors have told me that the 2011 Market was the “best ever”-and I hope the experience felt that way for each of you.  It was my 8th Market this year and I must say that when the smoke finally cleared (literally!) and seasonal rains started on Sunday night right as the Market closed, I felt the same way.

We made some changes for this year’s Market that I believe made a significant difference.  We added a third payment booth, located on the lower level, resulting in shorter wait times to buy.  Our staff worked closely with the City to refine loading and unloading of the Market buses and that too relieved some of wait times experienced last year. The Market’s ambiance was truly memorable this year, with beautiful white doves and spectacular giant flowers setting the tone.

Best of all, our Market artists–always the stars of the show-were thrilled with the enthusiastic response of our buyers. Their collective sales totaled a record $2,314,065!  Average booth sales were $17,399-another record-breaker.

Since 90% of sales revenue goes home with the artists, we know that this means more positive change in the artists’ home communities-more children (and girls) in school, more drinking water piped into homes, and more jobs, too, as folk artists expand their capacity to produce.

Here are some other notable highlights:

• “International Folk Arts Week”, done in collaboration with the Museum of International Folk Art, other arts organizations such as the Center for Contemporary Arts and the Santa Fe Children’s Museum, and many businesses around town, saw some thirty-seven events on the calendar this year.

• The week kicked-off with a July 3rd opening of a new exhibition, The Arts of Survival, at the Museum of international Folk Art, with several Market artists taking part in the educational activities. The opening was followed later in the week by hands-on workshops enjoyed by children and adults alike.

• The U.S. premiere of Mary Lance’s extraordinary new documentary, Blue Alchemy: Stories of Indigo, was screened on Wednesday evening to a sell-out crowd at The Lensic. Everyone got into the spirit by “wearing their blues” and hearing local favorites Agalu as well as a moving shakuhachi flute solo dedicated to those lost in Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, performed by Kojiro Umezaki.

• We estimate over 2,000 people attended our first Market Kickoff at the Santa Fe Railyard. An audience of all ages attended, experiencing the Artists Procession, a free concert by the West African Highlife Band, food booths and a commemoration of the Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary.

• The Market Opening Party on Friday evening was a huge success-with an increase in attendees of 24%. More than 2,000 people celebrated at what many have said is sure to be remembered as the best party of Santa Fe’s summer. Sales on Friday night alone topped $500,000.

• Attendance overall, including Friday, Saturday and Sunday, is estimated at 22,235-just over last year’s visitor count.

• The Shine on Pakistan booth-where 100% of sales revenues were designated for relief to Pakistan’s flood victims–by the end of the weekend had earned over $33,000.

But as you know, it is the “heart” side of the Market, with an impact that is harder to measure, that creates the memories we all cherish.

For me, one of the most memorable parts of the Market this year was the smiling faces of our dedicated volunteers.  Despite the hot sun, long hours, and at times stressful conditions, our volunteers were the friendliest, most hospitable people one could ever hope to meet.

Then there is the sight of the first-time artists who come to Market.  As the fear leaves their eyes, and they begin to experience success, the change in their demeanor is profound. This year Farzana Sharshenvieva and her sister Kadryrkul came representing seven generations of felt workers from Kyrgyzstan.  They returned home with $32,869!

And then there was Naina Valasai, from a remote desert region in Pakistan, who had never boarded an airplane before. She and her husband Surendar came to represent their community’s colorful ralli quilts.

Surendar said: “We were both afraid of the plane, but if we want a better life for ourselves and our village then we must take these challenges.”

All of us here at the Market send all of you our warmest thanks for your good thoughts and wishes, your participation, your generous contributions-and, in the case of our truly fabulous volunteers, including our Board of Directors-for your amazing work. It is your commitment that makes the Market the success that it is.

Warm regards,

Charlene Cerny
Executive Director

Photos © Samuel Mascolo and © Bob Smith

Join Us!

Donna and Robert Bruni & the Market Board of Directors

invite you to the

Market Opening Party

A Global Gathering Under the Stars

Friday, July 8, 6:30 – 9:00pm

Milner Plaza on Museum Hill

_____________________________

• Buying begins! • Shopping • Dancing • Live Music •

$125 per person ($75 tax deductible)

• Festive international finger food
• Music by West African Highlife Band
• Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks
• Cash bar available for premium call drinks and margaritas

Parking available off-site with shuttle service provided.

_____________________________

More than 170 Master Folk Artists from 49 countries gather on Museum Hill for the 8th annual event.

_____________________________

Buy Tickets Now

• All Museum of New Mexico Shops
• Los Alamos National Banks
• National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque
• At the gate

For more information visit http://www.folkartmarket.org/friday

See you at the Market!

Event Details

Thursday, July 7 • 5:00 – 9:00 pm

Santa Fe Railyard Park

900 parking spaces available (parking map available here)

• 50th Anniversary Peace Corps Commemoration •

• Market Artists Procession •

• Free Concert •

Both a birthday party for the Peace Corps and kickoff party for the 2011 Market, the festivities start at 5:00 pm at the Santa Fe Railyard Park with the opening of the

Peace Corps Around-the-World Expo.

There will be international food carts, a story-telling area, global music and dance performances from participating countries,including a spectacular group of folk dancers and musicians from Oman.

At the center of the festivities will be the Annual Market Artists Procession beginning at 6:40 pm.

The 150 Market artists, all in colorful national dress, will be welcomed by the New Mexico community.

Following the Procession, enjoy a free concert by the all-star filled West African Highlife Band.

The event is free and open to the public!

Schedule of Events at the Railyard:

5 pm:  Peace Corps Around-the-World Expo

6:10 pm:  Kevin Quigley, President of the National Peace Corps Association, keynote address

6:40 pm:  Market Artists Procession

7:30- 9 pm:  West Africa Highlife Band free concert and Meet & Greet with Market artists.

The West African Highlife Band brings a distinguished group of West African music veterans together for a celebration of the highlife and Palmwine dance hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Highlife music ruled the West African club scene before the disco era, and this special band pays homage to the lilting harmonies and infectious rhythms that

roused the feet of generations of West African youth.

2012 International Folk Arts Week

JULY 8-15, 2012 (details tbd)

2011 International Folk Arts Week

Here’s a review of the 2011 International Folk Arts Week:

To coincide with this year’s Folk Art Market, there’s a range of folk art related events taking place the week of the Market, July 3-11 as part of International Folk Arts Week.

The week gives give people more opportunities to learn about international folk arts and interact with the artists as well providing opportunities for a range of Santa Fe arts organizations to get involved.

There’s a citywide schedule of incredible events, including a new exhibition at the Museum of International Folk Art, a documentary film series, cooking classes, indigo-related displays and talks, and the un-missable official market events on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Here’s a selection of what’s on offer:

International Documentary Film Series

Blue Alchemy: Stories of Indigo

The Lensic Performing Arts Center

Brilliant Soil

Center for Contemporary Arts, Cinamatheqe

Circo

Santa Fe University of Art & Design, The Screen

From Zimbabwe to Santa Fe

Santa Fe University of Art & Design, Tipton Hall

International Cooking Classes

at Santa Fe Cooking School

and Travel Bug with Rebecca Fitzgerald

Go Indigo!

Gallery displays, talks and exhibits at:

Bellas Artes Gallery

Casa Nova Gallery

John Ruddy Textiles

Pachamama at La Fonda

Patina Gallery

Santa Fe Weaving Gallery

Seret and Sons

Shiprock Santa Fe

Spirit Clothing Store

Traveler’s Market

William Siegal Gallery

The Arts of Survival: Folk Expression in the Face of Natural Disaster

Museum of International Folk Art, Opening July 3, 1-4pm

And more special events all over town!

Official Market Events:

Wednesday, July 6, 7pm • Blue Alchemy: Stories of Indigo Premiere

Lensic Performing Arts Center

Tickets: Lensic Box Office: 988-1234 ticketssantafe.com $15, $20

$75 ticket includes preferred seating and

Pre-Screening Party at Coyote Cantina 5:30-7pm

Come wearing your Blues!

Thursday, July 7, 5-9:00pm • COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

50th Anniversary Peace Corps Commemoration

and Market Artist Procession

Santa Fe Railyard Park

Friday, July 8, 6:30-9pm • Market Opening Party

A Global Gathering Under the Stars • Buying Begins

Museum Hill