Best of Show Juried Competition
The Heard Museum Guild’s Indian Fair & Market is the largest art market in Arizona and one of the largest Native art markets in the country. Each year, the event kicks off with our Best of Show Juried Competition where a distinguished panel of judges review hundreds of entries across eight classifications for ribbons and cash awards — and one artwork receives the prestigious Best of Show award.
Following the Juried Competition is a Best of Show Reception, where talented Indigenous artists receive recognition for their achievement that resonates throughout the art world. Winners of the Juried Competition are also invited to participate in the next Indian Fair & Market.
A variety of traditional and cutting-edge artworks received awards in 2026. Check out the top entries from each classification!
2026 Winning Artworks
Best of Show Award
Jacqueline Rickard (Walker River Paiute) – It Is Pure Joy, Basket Creation
Best of Class: Jewelry, Lapidary, & Metalwork
Roy Talahaftewa (Hopi) – Concho Belt, Water and Corn Clan Migation
Best of Class: Pottery
Jared Tso (Navajo) – Hastiin Bob Square Bun
Best of Class: 2-Dimensional Art
Merlin Little Thunder (Cheyenne) – From a Place of Strength and Beauty
Best of Class: Pueblo Carvings
Tayron Polequaptewa (Hopi) – Monongya Katsina
Best of Class: Diverse Art Forms
Juanita Growing Thunder Fogarty (Fort Peck Assiniboine/Sioux)
and Kevin Pourier (Oglala Lakota) – Protects the Spirit
Best of Class: Weavings & Textiles
Kevin Aspaas (Navajo) – Holy Corn
Best of Class: Baskets
Jacqueline Rickard (Walker River Paiute) – It Is Pure Joy, Basket Creation
Best of Class: Sculpture
Leon Misak Kinneeveauk (Inupiaq) – Katang the Shaman Visions of the Past
Congratulations to all the artists who took part in the 68th Annual Indian Fair & Market Best of Show Juried Competition! And special thanks to the visitors, volunteers, and sponsors who continue to make this a remarkable event year after year.
2026 Best of Show Sponsors
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Major Sponsor
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Sponsors
