Return of the Flea: Museum of International Folk Art presents 11th Annual Folk Art Flea on June 11, 2022

February 10th, 2022

Santa Fe, NM - Museum of International Folk Art presents the 11th Annual Folk Art Flea on Saturday, June 11, with the largest and most diverse inventory in its history and a spacious new location to accommodate folk art from around the world. The Flea will take place at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds, 3229 Rodeo Road.

Although admission is free, members of Friends of Folk Art enjoy early admission to the Flea from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Public admission is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those wanting the early bird opportunity can join Friends of Folk Art by calling (505) 982-6366 ext.100 or at museumfoundation.org/friends/friends-of -folk-art/. Memberships also will be offered at the event.

“The Flea is back and it’s better than ever,” says Laurie Vander Velde, board member of Friends of Folk Art and a co-chair of the event. “We have three years of items that have been lovingly preserved while the Flea was temporarily suspended in 2020 and 2021. Now they are ready to grace other homes and give purchasers the joy of supporting the educational programs and exhibits of the Museum of International Folk Art.”

Items will include donated, gently used and reasonably priced textiles, clothing, jewelry, sculpture, masks, toys, dolls, wood carvings, ceramics, and more.

According to Khristaan Villela, Executive Director of the Museum of International Folk Art, in 10 years the Flea has provided more than $500,000 in funding for the museum, with supplemental pop-up sales during the years of COVID suspension. “This important funding stream enables us to be at the forefront of museum programs that range from the traditional to the innovative, representing cultural significance and creativity from across the globe.”

“For new collectors, the Flea provides affordability to experiment in collecting works that will be new to them,” says Jean Moss, member of the FOFA Board. “For the long-time collector, the Flea provides the opportunity to sample works not previously obtained from other parts of the world. It’s a cultural sharing that benefits everyone involved.”

Parking is free, and folk art will be organized by category in two large buildings on the Fairgrounds. “The hunt is part of the pleasure,” Vander Velde adds. “It’s exciting to see buyers with their arms filled with fun pieces of folk art that have captured their imagination.” The Flea also will include a Collectors Corner with high-quality rare finds, reasonably priced.”

"My most beloved folk art treasures have been purchased at the Folk Art Flea, says Joy Rice, a frequent Flea supporter. “It is one of my favorite events of the year!”

About the Museum of International Folk Art

The Museum of International Folk Art is a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, under the leadership of the Board of Regents for the Museum of New Mexico. Programs and exhibits are generously supported by the International Folk Art Foundation and Museum of New Mexico Foundation. The mission of The Museum of International Folk Art is to shape a humane world by connecting people through creative expression and artistic traditions. The museum holds the largest collection of international folk art in the world, numbering more than 130,000 objects from more than 100 countries.

About the Museum of New Mexico Foundation

The Museum of New Mexico Foundation supports the Museum of New Mexico system, focusing on fundraising for exhibitions and education programs, retail and licensing programs, financial management, advocacy and special initiatives. The Foundation was founded in 1962 by Thomas B. Catron III with the goal of providing private support for the four state museums in Santa Fe. The private, nonprofit Foundation has expanded to support eight historic sites statewide as well as the Office of Archaeological Studies and enjoys a robust private-public partnership with the State of New Mexico and the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information, visit museumfoundation.org.

About Friends of Folk Art

Friends of Folk Art is a group of Museum of New Mexico Foundation members who love folk art. They promote it through tours, trips and social and cultural events related to folk art. All proceeds benefit exhibitions and educational programming at the Museum of International Folk Art.