Santa Fe’s John Berkenfield has been a volunteer with the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) Santa Fe Indian Market for nearly 40 years.  

He says it was just yesterday that he joined the association, wanting to be more involved with the local arts community as a fellow art lover. His time volunteering started off by sweeping sidewalks and selling soft drinks on the Plaza to now helping with event production and helping on Friday with the preview, including judging.  

The experience has taught Berkenfield a lot about Native artists who come from around the world to participate in the market — and have their lives changed. He argues that listening to their stories and seeing their creativity on full display has been eye-opening.   

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Berkenfield to discuss his years of volunteering with Indian Market. The two delve into what exactly the market entails, how winning best in show can make a career and the highlights of attending this world-class event.    

In the episode, Berkenfield also speaks on the behind-the-scenes collaboration with other volunteers and partners to put on the market.  

This year’s market runs Aug. 15-16. Visit swaia.org for more information.  

Santa Fe&rsquo;s&nbsp;John Berkenfield&nbsp;has been a volunteer with the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA)&nbsp;Santa Fe&nbsp;Indian Market for&nbsp;nearly 40&nbsp;years.&nbsp;&nbsp;
He says it was just yesterday that he joined the association, wanting to be more involved with the local arts community as a fellow art lover. His time volunteering started off by sweeping sidewalks and selling soft drinks on the Plaza to now helping with event production and helping on Friday with the preview, including judging.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The experience has taught&nbsp;Berkenfield&nbsp;a&nbsp;lot about&nbsp;Native artists&nbsp;who&nbsp;come from around the world to&nbsp;participate&nbsp;in the&nbsp;market&nbsp;&mdash; and have their lives changed. He&nbsp;argues that&nbsp;listening to their stories and seeing their&nbsp;creativity&nbsp;on&nbsp;full&nbsp;display&nbsp;has been eye-opening.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Berkenfield to discuss his years of volunteering with Indian Market. The two delve into what exactly the market entails, how winning best in show can make a career and the highlights of attending this world-class event.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Berkenfield also speaks on the behind-the-scenes collaboration with other volunteers and partners to put on the market.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This year&rsquo;s market runs Aug. 15-16.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.swaia.org/">swaia.org</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;more information.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.

Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.
Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.