Prescott Indian Art Market (PIAM)

Sharlot Hall Museum will host the 25th Annual Prescott Indian Art Market (PIAM) from September 16–17, 2023 at 415 W. Gurley Street in downtown Prescott Arizona. Visitors can view and purchase handcrafted works from more than 90 acclaimed Native American artists. The two-day celebration of Native American culture will feature visual arts, performances, artwork demonstrations, community art experiences, and fry bread. The show is considered one of the vigorously juried shows in the nation. The event will be held on the museum grounds Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Entry is through The Depot entrance. Daily admission is free for museum members and $15 for non-members. Anyone who becomes a member now through September 17, 2023, can enjoy free admission. Memberships can be purchased at the event.

All artwork follows guidelines established by the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, assuring the objects are authentically Native American made and - for the Prescott Indian Art Market - handmade. The jury is made up of representatives from several tribes, who serve as an advisory council in the planning and execution of the market. In addition to the artwork, music and dance entertainment will be provided by Yellow Bird Productions, Red Mountain Creations and Tha Yoties. Yellow Bird Productions dancers bring their colorful kinetic Apache cultural dances, and inspirational traditional stories that have delighted audiences the world over. Audiences will thrill to fast-paced and intricate hoop dancing, featuring Tony Duncan and some of the most highly recognized Apache dancers in the country.

Red Mountain Creations is a family dance group formed in 2018 and based in Arizona. They specialize in sharing traditional O’odham/Piipaash dances, songs, and stories, as well as contemporary dances that represent the many different tribes in the southwest. Their performances consist of traditional and powwow dances. They formed not to merely entertain, but to educate the public on the O’odham culture and also represent the Dine’ (Navajo) Nation.

Tha Yoties, short for Coyotes, are a four-piece Reggae-Rock band based in Flagstaff, Arizona. The group is made up of members that collectively represent Tewa, Hopi, Diné, Dakota, Lithuanian, and Scottish/English heritage. Their music and messaging is greatly influenced by issues faced by tribes of the Four Corner states. Through the universal language of music, “Tha Yoties are howling for the people and lands of the Colorado Plateau region.“

This year’s featured artist is Patrick G. Smith, a Navajo jewelry maker known for his stunning silverwork and eye-catching contemporary designs. Smith uses a variety of metal forming techniques and adds vibrant color with natural stone lapidary work. “My jewelry can be described as a stylistic collision of natural-world elements and contemporary shapes that combine texture with three-dimensional artistry,” said Smith. “The challenge is not in making a variety of unusual forms as much as fashioning them into a cohesive, wearable art piece.”

Born on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, Smith started out crafting traditional jewelry using techniques learned from his family. Over time, as he acquired more advanced metalsmithing skills, Smith was able to create the striking new jewelry designs he envisioned. Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Arts in jewelry and metalsmithing from Northern Arizona University. He later won an Arlene Feddes Fellowship for "Excellence in Art" from the Southwestern Association of Indian Arts. Smith’s jewelry has been purchased for display at the British Museum in London. His work can be found in Arizona art galleries, shops and museums and is showcased on Smith’s website www.ringsandsilver.com.

Prescott offers the perfect central location to host this event. “This event celebrates the art forms and cultures of Native American tribes throughout the U.S.,” said Ginny Bengston, Coordinator, Prescott Indian Art Market. “Many of these artists and their families have attended for years and we look forward to welcoming both new and returning guests.” Music and cultural performances will be presented throughout the weekend for all ages to enjoy.