The Best of Show Awards Ceremony is one of Indian Market’s most anticipated events, with this year’s honoring ceremony being no exception. Standing before a full house of sponsors, collectors, SWAIA staff, and eager members of the press all volleying for the best angles, this year’s inductees to SWAIA’s art all-stars hall of fame were celebrated and recognized for their artistic innovations and long-time excellence in the arts.
Presented by SWAIA’s Chief Development Officer, John D. Jones, and Chief Operating Officer, Dallin Maybee (Northern Arapaho-Seneca), 2017’s highest Market awards went to 19 individual artists.
The AARP Tradition Award marked 36 years of Market participation for Vanessa Jennings (Pima-Kiowa Apache-Kiowa), who expressed the importance of education and reminded us that “the best [teachings]come from our elders.” Pat Pruitt (Laguna Pueblo) took Best of Show for Sentinel 1.0, a futuristic-looking vessel composed of 850 individual metal components. —RoseMary Diaz (Santa Clara Tewa)
