Experience the Art in Action: Live Demonstrations & Immersive Making at IFAM 2025

Step Into the Story of Folk Art

The International Folk Art Market is more than a place to admire beautiful works—it's a space to experience the magic behind them. This year, we're inviting Market-goers of all ages to get hands-on with immersive experiences, live artist demonstrations, and creative stations that bring the process of making to life.

Whether you're watching molten wax flow in a traditional batik demonstration or creating your own clay masterpiece, IFAM 2025 is your chance to connect directly with the materials, the artists, and the global stories behind each work of art.

Live Artist Demonstrations

Happening daily at 11 AM, 1 PM & 3 PM

These aren’t just how-to moments—they’re windows into culture, family, and legacy. Here’s a preview of what you’ll see throughout the weekend:

• Friday, July 11 — Textile & Fiber Arts Day Location: Railyard Park | 10 AM – 5 PM with Textile Center, Minneapolis

  • Station 1: Indigo Dye Exploration
    Watch as white fabric transforms through a series of magical hues into deep indigo blue. Learn resist-dye techniques and the chemistry of natural dyeing.

  • Station 2: Flower Pounding Botanical Printing
    Use seasonal New Mexico plants and flowers to create printed patterns on fabric. Add your print to a collaborative “Global Fiber Art Map.”

  Featured Artist Demos:

  • 11 AM: Babaran Segaragunung Culture House (Indonesia) — Batik with molten wax

  • 1 PM: Siju Shamji Vishram (India) — Kutch hand weaving

  • 3 PM: Cirila Aragón Cortés (Mexico) — Natural dyeing of Morelos ponchos

• Saturday, July 12 — Clay & Ceramics Day Location: Railyard Park | 10 AM – 5 PM with Paseo Pottery, Santa Fe

  • Station 1: Handbuilding With Clay
    Experiment with sculpting, coiling, and slab-building with take-home pieces.

  • Station 2: Wheel Throwing
    Step up to the pottery wheel and try shaping clay with your own hands.

  Featured Artist Demos:

  • 11 AM: Matin Malikzada (Afghanistan) and Lily Sandoval (Peru) — Pottery techniques

  • 1 PM: Juana Gomez Ramirez (Mexico) — Handbuilt jaguar sculptures

  • 3 PM: Artemio Poma Gutierrez (Peru) — Traditional quinoa pottery glazes

• Saturday Night Market — Maker Social | Location: Railyard Park | 6 PM – 9 PM with Textile Center & Paseo Pottery

  • Fiber Fun with Textile Center:

    • Hand spinning wool from local Churro sheep

    • Needle felting interactive activity

  • Hands-on with Paseo Pottery:

    • Repeat of daytime wheel and sculpting demos under the stars!

  Sunday, July 13 — Community Folk Art Day | Location: Railyard Park with MOIFA | 10 AM – 3 PM

  Partner: Museum of International Folk Art (MOIFA)

  • Station: Make & Take Wire Sculpture
    Inspired by South African telephone wire artistry, create your own sculpture with guidance from MOIFA’s Education Team.

  Featured Artist Demos:

  • 11 AM: KwaZulu-Natal Weavers (South Africa) — Copper wire basket weaving

  • 1 PM: Esteban Silva (Mexico) — Traditional Nahuatl paper-making

Demo schedule is subject to change—check Market signage or the IFAM website for the day’s lineup.

Why It Matters

These aren’t just moments of making—they’re moments of meaning. At IFAM, we believe in honoring the process as much as the final product. When you engage with the artist’s hands, their history, and their materials, you’re part of keeping tradition alive.

Come curious. Ask questions. Watch the rhythm of the Market unfold in every fiber, vessel, and gesture.

→ Buy Tickets Now
July 10–13 · Santa Fe Railyard