SPANISH MARKET: Here you will find general history and information on the annual Santa Fe Spanish Market. Special features on the market include the Spanish Market art categories, Spanish Market food vendors, Winter Spanish Market, and the market’s sponsor, the Spanish Colonial Arts Society. This outdoor exhibition, held during the summer season, is an informal community celebration of the state’s Hispanic culture, where hundreds of artists honor their heritage through a variety of art forms.
This beautiful and elaborate wood craving (or bulto) was a prize winner at Spanish Market, held each summer on the historic Plaza in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico.History of Spanish Market

In 1965 the Spanish Colonial Arts Society revived Spanish Market, which it originally had sponsored from 1926 until the mid-1930s. Held in conjunction with the annual Indian Market on the Santa Fe Plaza, it renewed the society's commitment to support the artistic growth of Hispanic artists native to New Mexico and southern Colorado working in traditional art forms.

Spanish Market remained part of Indian Market until 1972, when the event took its own place on the Plaza during the last full weekend in July. A smaller Winter Spanish Market, started by the society in 1989, is held in downtown Santa Fe each December. These two major exhibitions give visitors a rare opportunity to meet some of the best Hispanic artists currently working in the region. Today, after several decades of growth and change, the once-intimate Spanish Market has become the largest exhibition of traditional Hispanic arts in the United States. Admission is free to the public.

Spanish Market Awards
The society honors artistic excellence at Spanish Market by purchasing outstanding works of art for its collection and by awarding prizes. Its grand prize, first prize and other special awards recognize distinctive skill and innovation in various media. These awards, funded by the society and private contributions, are determined each year by a private panel of judges.

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