Shoppers eager for holiday bargains don’t have to wait for Black Friday.
The UNM American Indian Business Leaders are hosting an American Indian arts and crafts fair to support American Indian groups on campus, said Daniel Begay, vice president of the student organization. The fair is in SUB Ballroom B today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“One of the things we want to do is reach out to the business community and reach out to the artists,” Begay said.

About 30 artists will present their work at the fair, he said.

Junior Allison Sarracino said the fair also celebrates National Native American Awareness month.

“We have a great representation from a few pueblos such as Acoma and Santa Domingo,” she said. “We have Navajo and people from the pueblos (in the state) … who make jewelry, pottery, paintings and drawings. We may have one sculpture and then a lot of arts and crafts.”

Sarracino said the group chose a traditional arts and crafts fair because of art’s importance to American Indians.

“It’s a big signifier of American Indians around the country,” she said. “We wanted that something that would let the artists to make money as well as they can, by charging a small fee to let them join the event.”

Eleanor Jones, who will sell her jewelry at the show, said this is a great venue to showcase original American Indian work.

“You go to a different show, and then you always meet new people,” she said. “You have something in common with the other artists. It’s just a sense of community, and just being around the different artists — it’s just a true blessing.”

Begay said the fair is about more than earning money: It aims to highlight American Indian culture in modern society.

“We wanted to implement our business knowledge but at the same time provide opportunities to local Native American artists,” he said. “We’re just
encouraging staff, faculty and administrators to come check it out, to come see what the local artists have to offer.”

Jones said she was happy to support the learning, organizational, business and practical experience the event provides.

“I just want to help any of the Native American students,” she said. “We need a lot of business leaders.”

While the success of the event cannot be judged until the actual show, Begay said his experiences so far have been insightful.

“Any kind of business knowledge is crucial, and it’ll be utilized in everyday life as students graduate,” he said. “All the members have been working really hard.”

*Lobo Red Tuesday Indian Market
SUB Ballroom B
Today
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Free*