About Us
Our mission is to honor the elders and respect the artists!
The Free Indian Market is produced by Dr. Gregory and Angie Schaaf, along with an all-volunteer team, under the fiscal sponsorship of the New Mexico Foundation, a 501(c)3, non-profit organization. The show is paid for by tax-deductible monetary contributions and art donations to the Benefit Art Auction.
Watch our founder, Gregory Schaaf, explain the need and inspiration
for the Free Indian Market
History of the Free Indian Market
2018 - First Free Indian Market featured 68 Artists, mostly Southwestern Native artists -- Puebloan, Hopi, Diné (Navajo) and Apache. The successful show was hosted by the Santa Fe Scottish Rite Temple in their beautiful "Hall of Honor."
2019 - The original 68 Elders invited their children and grandchildren to join them in their "Family Booths." The number of artists grew to 305, filling the building and the outdoor space.
2020 - The show was postponed due to the Covid pandemic.
2021 - To insure the safety of 540 artists and the general public, the show was moved across the street to Federal Park, next to the Federal Courthouse. Thank you to the General Service Administration for granting a federal license. Professional entertainers perform free of charge, as well as the participants in the popular fashion show.
2022 - The Free Indian Market will grow to almost 600 artists, including 10% Indigenous Artists from Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Pacific Islands and New Zealand.