Popular Folk Art Flea Returns to Museum of International Folk Art

January 14th, 2018

 (Santa Fe, NM) – One of Santa Fe’s favorite community events, the Folk Art Flea, will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018,  at the Museum of International Folk Art on Museum Hill. From toys to textiles and jewelry to masks from all over the world,  The Flea features an impressive array of well-priced folk art treasures. The treasured “Collectors’ Corner” returns with especially rare and unique items. The event is presented by the Museum Foundation of New Mexico’s Folk Art Committee in support of the Museum of International Folk Art Museum (MoIFA).

Dr. Khristaan Vilella, director of MoIFA, encourages those who enjoy visiting the museum to put the Flea on their May calendars. “The annual Flea is a great place to find folk art treasures from all over the world. We are proud to be able to sell items from some of the same artists that you find in our museum collection, items that would be challenging to find otherwise.”

According to Laurie Vander Velde, Folk Art Committee chair, “All funds raised from the Flea directly support the Museum of International Folk Art’s award-winning exhibition and educational programs.  We are proud that the Flea contributed $65,000 to the museum last year.”

Early admission for Friends of Folk Art members (only) is from 9-10 am while free general admission to the Flea is from 10 am-3 pm. Those anxious to shop early may join the Friends of Folk Art organization in advance by calling (505) 982-6366, ext.106.­­­­­

Vander Velde reports that all items found in the Flea are donated to the museum specifically for this event, and donations are tax-deductible charity contributions. “We are so amazed by the generosity of area residents, and visitors, who contribute to the Flea. We couldn’t offer such quality and variety without their support.”

There is still time to donate folk art items to the Flea (toys, masks, clothing, pottery, sculpture, textiles, flat art, jewelry, books and other folk art items). Beginning Wednesday, April 25 through Saturday, April 28 from 11 am-2pm, volunteers will be accepting folk art donations in the staff/volunteer parking lot behind the museum. Donors may also call the Folk Art Flea Hotline (505) 476-1201 to make other arrangements. Your gently used items may be someone else’s treasure.

About the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and the Friends of Folk Art

Founded in 1962, the Museum of New Mexico Foundation provides critical private funding to one of the nation’s largest collection of state-run museums, historic sites and arts and cultural programs. The foundation’s mission is to support the Museum of New Mexico system through fund development for exhibitions and educational programs, financial management, and advocacy. The Friends of Folk Art is a group of Museum of New Mexico Foundation members who love folk art and arrange tours, trips and social events related to folk art, with all proceeds benefitting exhibitions and educational programming at the Museum of International Folk Art.

 

For Listing Editors:

WHO: Folk Art Committee, Museum of New Mexico Foundation

WHAT: 9^th Annual Folk Art Flea

WHERE: Museum of International Folk Art on Museum Hill, 706 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe

WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 2018

ADMISSION: Free “Early Bird” admission to Friends of Folk Art members between 9-10 am. Free public admission between 10 am-3 pm.

NUMBER TO CALL FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION: 505-476-1201

 

Media Contacts:

Jo Ann Ward                                       Laurie Vander Velde                                    Pam Najdowski

joanndewingward@yahoo.com   mlvandervelde@gmail.com                       pamnajdowski@yahoo.com

(713) 906-5717                                (505) 699-3796                                               (505) 920-4970