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Ceremonial celebrates 100 years with $100,000 artist prize pool

The juried art show is always a big draw for the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial, and what better way to celebrate the 100th event than with a $100,000 prize pool?

This year’s prize pool started building in 2018, when the Ceremonial Association introduced the Centennial Club for donors. Businesses and individuals were invited to make a $1,000 commitment toward this year’s event, either in lump sums or in $250 installments over four years. The goal was to get 100 donors signed up.

“We got pretty close. We at the board were able to contribute the remainder of the $100,000,” Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Association President Kyle Tom said. “The money we raised from the Club went right into CDs at the bank. That is the money for the prize pool.”

The Best in Show winner will take home $10,000 this year, and even the smaller prizes will be doubled from prior years.

The show has 10 classes: Textiles, Kachinas and Wood Carvings, Metal Smithing, Lapidary Arts, Baskets, Tribal Arts, Paintings and Sand Paintings, Sculptures, Pottery, and three Youth Classes. Each adult Best In Class winner will take home $1,000.

Each class has categories – 328 in all – and category winners get $600. First place ribbon winners get $100, and second place winners get $50.

In youth categories, Best in Class prizes are $400 and Best in Category prizes are $200 each. Youth categories are ages 10 years and under; ages 11 to 14 and ages 15 to 18.

There are no entry fees for artists, but there is a $25 fee for items entered but not offered for sale. Those items also are not eligible for the top category, class and Best in Show awards.

The show kicks off with the wine gala from 6 pm to 10 pm  Aug. 10. In years past that would have been a preview night, but recently the show pieces have been offered for sale that night, exhibit organizer and GITCA board member Joyce Graves said.

“The wine gala will be outside in the horseshoe, then people can come in to the exhibit hall from there,” she said. “Years ago it was a preview night, but then the next morning at 9 am they were at the doors to buy things.”

Those who buy art on gala night are asked to leave the pieces installed through the end of the show Aug. 14, although there can be exceptions for first and second place ribbon winners.

“[The gala] really kicks off the ceremonial. It’s more controversial in some people’s eyes. I personally think it’s Gallup’s night out. The who’s who are there,” Tom said. “There’s so many families with history in the ceremonial, whether their great-grandfather bought the best in show rug, or their great-grandmother wove that rug.”

Like the rest of the event, the art show runs on volunteer power. Graves is still welcoming volunteers, and will hold a volunteer meeting at 6:30 pm Aug. 3 at the Indian Hills Fire Station, 3700 Church Rock St. No previous experience is necessary. Volunteers will help with check-in, paperwork, setup and check-out, and multiple shifts are available. For more information on volunteering, contact Graves at (505) 862-1457.

Entry forms are available in advance from the ceremonial office, or at the Red Rock exhibit hall when artists load in their items Aug. 5 and 6. The show premium book has all the rules and entry details and is available at https://www.gallupintertribalceremonial.com/100th/art-market/.

By Holly J. Wagner
Sun Correspondent

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