The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts has brought back its old public relations and marketing director.

John Paul Rangel, who claims Apache and Navajo ancestry, is re-joining the organization that puts on the popular Santa Fe Indian Market. He served in the same position from 2008 to 2009.

“Dr. Rangel’s coming to SWAIA is a tangible sign of the board of directors’ commitment to strengthening our staff with dedicated professionals, Stockton Colt, the chairman of the organization's board, said in a press release. “Santa Fe Indian Market will take place this year, as it has in its previous 92 years. And our goal is to make it the best yet, made possible by the best artists, staff and volunteers we can find.”

Amid a budget and management crisis, SWAIA lost its chief operating officer, Indian Market manager and public relations director in just the last month. Those three executives are now organizing the Indigenous Fine Art Market.

Both events will take place in Santa Fe during the fourth weekend of August.

Get the Story:
Departing SWAIA staffers launch new market for Native artists (The Albuquerque Journal 4/29)
Ex-SWAIA leaders plan new market (The Santa Fe New Mexican 4/29)
Make Way for the Indigenous Fine Art Market (The Santa Fe Reporter 4/28)

Related Stories:
Indigenous Fine Art Market announced in Santa Fe for August (4/28)
Indian artists seek more control over popular annual market (04/17)
Indian arts organization surprised by departure of top executive (04/08)
Navajo man resigns from top position at Indian arts organization (4/1)
John Torres-Nez, Navajo artist, takes lead for Indian art group (10/9)