Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show opens in Santa Fe tonight

The 48th Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show opens Thursday in Santa Fe with more than 130 exhibitors and special focus exhibits on Australian Indigenous art and Navajo/Diné textiles. The event, billed as the largest of its kind, also adds a new benefit partnership with Native American Jump Start to support Native students and job seekers.

Why it matters: - The Whitehawk show is the largest event of its kind and draws buyers, collectors and specialists focused on historic Indigenous art. - The new partnership with Native American Jump Start ties the art fair to scholarship and workforce support for Native American students and job seekers.

What happened: - The 48th annual Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show opens Thursday, Aug. 6, in Santa Fe. - More than 130 exhibitors are taking part. - The show runs at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy St., Santa Fe, NM 87501. - Native American Jump Start Benefit Preview runs from 5–7 p.m. Thursday. - SWAIA Benefit Preview runs from 7–9 p.m. Thursday. - Public show hours are Friday through Sunday, Aug. 7–9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The details: - The show features thousands of historic and contemporary art objects from Native American and other Indigenous cultures worldwide. - Whitehawk is described as an internationally renowned event for historic Indigenous art. - This year’s special exhibits highlight Australian Indigenous art and historic modernist Navajo/Diné textiles. - Specialist dealers will present textiles, pottery, jewelry, beadwork, paintings, woodcarving and other works from Native American and tribal traditions. - Attendees can learn about techniques, materials, aesthetics and the social values reflected in the works. - Whitehawk is produced by art collector Kim Martindale, who helped launch the first show in 1977 at age 16. - Martindale brought Whitehawk under KRM Shows in 2023 after buying it from Marcia and Ted Berridge, who owned the event from 2004 until the sale. - More information is available on Whitehawkshows.com. - Whitehawk also shares updates on Instagram and Facebook.

Between the lines: - The Native American Jump Start partnership broadens the show beyond commerce and collecting, adding a direct community-benefit angle. - The special exhibits point to Whitehawk’s focus on both global Indigenous art and specific regional traditions with strong collector interest. - Martindale’s long involvement gives the event continuity and a clear link to its origins.

What's next: - Whitehawk will host preview events Thursday before the public show opens for the weekend. - Organizers will likely use the Santa Fe run to reinforce Whitehawk’s standing as a leading market and educational venue for Indigenous art.

The bottom line: - Whitehawk is using its 48th year to pair a major Indigenous art market with new philanthropic support and high-profile special exhibits.