2025 WINTER SPANISH MARKET SCHEDULE
Scheduled to take place at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 2025, the market is an opportunity to explore Spanish colonial history and explore arts and crafts created centuries ago and today.
Visit the 2025 Traditional Spanish Market to see more than 160 adult and mentored youth artists showcasing handcrafted artwork, including those in traditional art forms like bultos, colcha embroidery, retablos, pottery, tinwork, and more.
ABOUT THE TRADITIONAL SPANISH MARKET
Founded in 1926 by the Spanish Colonial Arts Society, today the Traditional Spanish Market is presented by the Atrisco Heritage Foundation. On the last weekend in July, the Santa Fe Plaza will be home to more than 125 adult and mentored youth artists offering their creations. Where else can you find bultos, retablos, ramilletes, colcha embroidery, tinwork, woodwork, ironwork, leatherwork, hide painting, pottery, woven textiles, and other art that reflects a centuries-old history?
Because the colonists from Spain who first came to New Mexico in the 1500s were Catholics, many art pieces are religious. Bultos, for example, are carved and painted wooden figures of saints. Retablos are religious paintings or religious scenes populated with small sculptures. Since fresh flowers were not available to the colonists, ramilletes were created from wood or, for those parishes that could afford it, silver to represent bouquets on the church altar.
The artists not only sell their works at the market, but they can compete for prizes and cash awards in each category. Their pieces are judged by art historians, art dealers, curators, and art collectors who are knowledgeable in each category.
What would the market be without food, demonstrations, and entertainment? Enjoy music throughout the weekend performed by regional Hispanic bands and dance groups. Keep your strength up for shopping by stopping at food booths. Visit with an author and watch a demonstration by an artist. It’s all part of the Traditional Spanish Market in Santa Fe!
If you enjoy supporting young artists, stop by the Youth Market. These young artists are keeping techniques and skills alive in the next generation. Look for them near the center of the plaza.