From Picnic Blankets to Global Village: The IFAM Transformation
Written by Jacci Gruninger, COO
If you’ve walked through the Railyard Park in Santa Fe on a quiet Tuesday, you’ve seen it in its natural state: a serene, lovely place to catch some sun or read a book. But once a year, a kind of “organizational alchemy” happens.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a local park into the world’s premier folk art destination? Grab a coffee (you’ll need the energy just to read this) and look at the numbers behind the magic.
The Six-Day Sprint
The transformation doesn't happen overnight, but it’s close! One week before the market, our team hits the ground running. This is when the Railyard begins its metamorphosis from a public park into a high-functioning international venue. It’s a week of heavy lifting, precision planning, and watching a village rise from the grass.
More Than a Market: The Artist Conference
Three days before the gates open to the public, the Railyard becomes a hub of education and connection. We bring our 150 global artists in early for a two-day Artist Conference in partnership with the New Mexico School for the Arts. This is where artists from different continents share techniques, discuss the business of art, and build lifelong friendships.
The “Small but Mighty” Squad Grows Up
For most of the year, IFAM is powered by a dedicated team of 11 full-time staff members. But as Market season approaches, our family grows! We scale up to 15 team members, including seasonal experts who help us navigate the home stretch, and two crews who really do the heavy lifting.
It Takes a City and a State—Literally
Transforming the Railyard requires a “Voltron-like” assembly of civic partners. We work hand-in-hand with:
The Santa Fe Police & Fire Departments (keeping 20,000+ people safe is no small feat!)
The Santa Fe Railyard Community Corporation
The City of Santa Fe, across multiple departments, ensures every permit is signed, and every detail is perfect.
The New Mexico Railrunner
The New Mexico Tourism Department
The Heavy Lifting: Tents and Rails
To create the Market footprint, our crew installs:
150+ Tents: Providing a space for masterpieces from every corner of the globe.
241 Pieces of Pedrail: That’s a lot of fencing to keep the festival's flow smooth, safe, and organized.
The Heartbeat: 1,600 Helping Hands
This is the number that always blows our minds. During Market week, our staff of 15 is joined by a literal army of 1,600 volunteers. Whether they are greeting guests, assisting artists, or keeping the site beautiful, these folks are the soul of the event.
Safety and Security
Safety professionals monitor the footprint 24/7 to ensure the safety of our artists' crafts, as well as our artists, staff, guests, and the vehicles parked in our lots.
The Grand Result
The end result of all this math? A world-class cultural exchange:
150 artists traveling from around the world.
Local and global musicians and buskers provide the entertainment.
20,000+ Guests experiencing the wonder.
10+ local food vendors sharing international cuisine.
Next time you’re admiring a handmade textile in the Railyard Park, take a look around. It’s more than just a market—it’s a year-long labor of love that turns a park into a portal to the rest of the world.
