Since 1926, the Traditional Spanish Market has served as a hub for honoring Hispanic heritage.

Held annually on the historic Santa Fe Plaza, the Traditional Spanish Market is a cultural exploration featuring traditional Hispanic art, music, and culture that promotes and preserves the rich Hispanic heritage that has deeply influenced the region’s history and traditions. This esteemed Spanish Colonial art market showcases a wide array of traditional art forms, each reflecting the unique history and craftsmanship passed down through generations.

Our market features 18 diverse categories originating from the 16th century that artists can jury into, including:

Colcha Embroidery, Copper Engraving, Furniture and Furnishings, Gesso Reliefs, Hide Painting, Ironwork, Painted Bultos and Bultos en Nicho, Painted Reliefs, Pottery, Precious Metals, Retablos and Altar Screens, Revival Arts (Basketry, Bonecarving, Leatherwork/Rawhide, Ramilletes), Straw Applique, Tinwork, Unpainted Bultos and Bultos en Nicho, Unpainted Reliefs, Weaving and Woodcarving.

Artists aspiring to participate in our market must undergo a rigorous screening process to verify their Hispanic heritage or nativity to New Mexico or Southern Colorado and present the artwork they create for evaluation.

Upon successfully passing the jury process, artists are granted the status of Market Artists until the next jury cycle for their category. This meticulous process underscores the prestige of our market and our commitment to showcasing only the finest traditional Hispanic artworks.

Once they pass this initial screening, artists attend a jury day where their anonymous works are judged by professionals and experts outside the Traditional Spanish Market. This ensures that the artwork meets our high standards of quality and adherence to Hispanic cultural traditions.

What sets our market apart is its unwavering dedication to traditional materials, tools, techniques, and imagery.

We have artists who farm sheep, shear the wool, dye it with natural pigments derived from plants, and weave it on traditional looms. This commitment brings tradition to life, educating the public and preserving aspects of our New Mexico heritage that might otherwise be lost.

Our market boasts artists who have been participating for over 30 years, passing down their knowledge through multiple generations.

It is not uncommon to find families with three to four generations actively involved in the market, further reinforcing the tradition and legacy of Hispanic craftsmanship.

Since 2023, The Atrisco Heritage Foundation has proudly operated as stewards of Traditional Spanish Market.

The Atrisco Heritage Foundation, a cherished component of the Atrisco Companies, is part of a network of seven social enterprises, dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich Hispanic heritage that has deeply influenced the region’s history and traditions.

In the pivotal year of 2023, the Atrisco Heritage Foundation assumed responsibility for Traditional Spanish Market, opening a significant chapter in our ongoing dedication to cultural preservation.

Beyond a strategic move, this transition reflects Atrisco Heritage Foundation’s profound commitment to intertwining our brand with the vibrant fabric of New Mexico’s Spanish Art traditions.

Join us as we navigate the renowned Traditional Spanish Market, Winter Spanish Market, and Youth Spanish Market, all bound together by our resolute mission to preserve, promote, and educate the public about New Mexico and Southern Colorado’s historic Spanish Colonial Art traditions.