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Music and dance performances along with demonstrations by artists will all be part of the fair, which will be held at the UA this weekend.

By University Communications
February 20, 2008

Hundreds of the region's professional and renowned American Indian artists will be at The University of Arizona this weekend to share and showcase their paintings, jewelry, baskets, rugs and blankets.

The Arizona State Museum's Southwest Indian Art Fair – now in its 14th year – attracts serious collectors, buyers and community members alike.

About 200 artists are expected to attend the two-day event, allowing them to sell, showcase and tell stories about their work.

The fair's featured artist this year is Vino Leon Manuel. Manuel's work is credited as an attempt to bring together his two culures: Tohono O'odham and Hopi.

The fair includes judged competitions, granting awards to artists of all ages.

Partly educational, the fair also invites a number of artists who demonstrate how they produce their work. Others, such as musicians and dancers, perform during the event.

"All cultural events have the same purpose – to bring people together for cross-cultural education," said Angelo Joaquin Jr., who coordinated the Arizona State Museum's signature event.

"We want people to walk away enriched by the barriers that are broken down by art, music and food," Joaquin said.

"I’m struck by the number of comments the museum receives each year citing how the fair’s intimacy – its ability to create and maintain cherished relationships – surpasses that of any other comparable event in the region."