The Zuni Shows

2016 and 2017

The Zuni Shows

In 2016 and 2017, the Keshi Foundation produced The Zuni Shows in downtown Santa Fe. The shows allowed the Zuni artists to show and sell their work directly to the public at retail prices. The Zuni Shows presented more than 250 artists, generating more than $650,000 going directly to the artists and their families. The shows garnered wide praise, with readers of First American Art Magazine calling the show “…one of the world’s top ten best indigenous art shows in 2016…”

  • The Keshi Foundation held meetings in Zuni Pueblo to inform the exhibitors as to what is required when participating in a show and to assist them in opening bank accounts to receive credit cards at the show.

  • The 2016 Zuni Show was the first project of the Keshi Foundation, which significantly increased exposure of the art of the Zuni Pueblo. It presented 100 Zuni artists at the first show. 

  • The 2017 Zuni Show presented more than 150 Zuni artists, combining a museum and festival feel with many Zuni dance groups, films, native food and music, and of course, beautiful art. In contrast to other venues showcasing indigenous art, the Zuni Show presented information through educational panels and films highlighting various aspects of the Zuni culture, language, and life-way.

Two young men sitting behind a table filled with various native pottery and art, smiling at the camera during a cultural event in a hall with many people in the background.
Four women wearing traditional Mexican clothing and jewelry singing karaoke outdoors, standing in front of a pink stucco wall with a blue door.
Crowded Zuni Show
People sitting at a table displaying various decorative rocks, gemstones, and jewelry items at the Zuni Show
Buffalo Dancer at the Zuni Show
Group of Zuni women dressed in traditional clothing, balancing pottery on their heads, standing outdoors with greenery and a building in the background.

Thank you to ShiwiSun Productions for this wonderful video of the 2017 Show!

Santa Fe Scottish Rite building, featuring a banner for the Zuni Pueblo Art Show, American flag and trees in front, several people walking nearby, and cars parked in front.
Young girls in traditional Zuni clothing holding hands during at the Zuni Show.

The schedule of dances included the Fernando Cellicion Dance Group, and the Fabian Fontenelle and Shelley Morningsong group: both winners of prestigious indigenous music awards. Also see and hear the Buffalo Dance by the Red Clay Dance Group, the Rainbow Dance by the Kallestewa Dance Group, Young Pottery Maidens, the Zuni Olla Maidens, the Turkey Dance by the Soaring Eagle Dance Group and others.

Ethnographic films from 1924 were screened continually, presenting a look into Zuni's past. 

In our continuing effort to educate, a large panel was displayed titled: "What makes a fetish necklace authentic and collectible? It's Zuni!"

There was a community feel to the event with families and friends of exhibitors helping at the selling tables as well as their children present and watching the dancers in the courtyard with concentrated interest. Communication among the artists was friendly and warm; neighbors getting together.