Santa Fe International Folk Art Market to Bring Artists to Arlington from Around the World

By Autumn Sanders

Posted on June 02, 2017, June 02, 2017

Handout photo

Arlington resident Linda Dipert loved her experience at the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market so much that she decided to bring the event home with her.

After two years of planning and working with Santa Fe event organizers, the renowned Santa Fe International Folk Art Market at Arlington is headed to The American Dream City next month. The inaugural event will take place Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17 at The Green at College Park on the east side of the University of Texas at Arlington campus. The Market will feature 35 master artists and their handmade goods from countries such as Italy, Ghana, Nigeria, South Sudan, Peru and many others.

"Arlington is the second most diverse city in the state, the Arlington ISD is the fifth most diverse school district, and UTA is the fifth most diverse University in the country," Dipert said. "That makes Arlington the perfect city for a diverse art event."

Santa Fe's annual International Folk Art Market was created in part to help artists from around the world become successful entrepreneurs while preserving and promoting art forms and cultures indigenous to the respective communities. The founding of the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market in Arlington continues the tradition by providing more opportunities for the artists to succeed.

"They liked Arlington and the 'Dream City' tag line, Dipert said in a UTA article about the event. "They liked the University and the diversity at UTA and in the city."

The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market at Arlington will begin on Friday, June 16 with a VIP shopping event at The Green, where guests will enjoy the ambiance of a Night in Old Havana. The cost is $150 per person. Click here to purchase tickets and learn more about the VIP Shopping Event.

On Saturday, June 17, the market will be open to the public and include internationally inspired food and entertainment and folk art for sale. Early bird admission from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. is $25 per person. General admission from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. is $10 per person. Admission to the evening market, scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., is free. Admission for children ages 16 and under is free all day Saturday.

"I am extremely excited to be working with the International Folk Art Alliance to bring world class artists to Arlington," said Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, who is the event's honorary chair. "Combining our central location with being the leader in tourism in the DFW Metroplex, Arlington is looking forward to hosting a multitude of visitors to the International Folk Art Market!"

With Arlington being the Market's only sister city site, shoppers can guarantee their experience will be unique.

"It adds a cool factor for Arlington. We're the only other city you can attend the International Folk Art Market besides Santa Fe," Dipert said.

A majority of the proceeds will be returned to the artists, which helps them become self-sufficient in their home countries, Dipert said.

"It is like doing mission work at home. IFAA gives artist the tools they need to become self-sufficient. From how to market their art, to practical skills like effectively communicating with the buyer," she said.

Arlington's inaugural International Folk Art Market is made possible by the Arlington Cultural Tourism Council, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, Women Inspiring Philanthropy, Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, UT Arlington and many other supporters.

"The artisan sector is second only to agriculture in creating economies globally, so hats off to our partners in Arlington for their shared vision in building enterprise through excellent folk art that positively transforms communities worldwide," said Jeff Snell, CEO of the International Folk Art Alliance.