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Award Winning Indigenous Artists & Leaders Gather in Tiverton, RI

Meet Indigenous artists from around the world through music, art, food, storytelling and hands on experiences

July 24, 25 and 26, 2026
Tiverton Four Corners Arts Center
3852 Main Rd
Tiverton, RI 02878

Hours
10 am - 6 pm

Tickets
$5 Suggested Admission* (or Pay what you can)*Children under the age of 18 are free.

Find out what's happening in Tiverton-Little Comptonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Find out what's happening in Tiverton-Little Comptonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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The Cultural Survival Bazaar, an Indigenous Art Market and Festival that has been a local tradition for over 50 years, supporting Indigenous livelihoods, cultural sustainability, and personal connections that transverse culture and country. These markets offer a unique opportunity for the public to meet Indigenous artists from around the world and to learn about different ways of seeing and being in this world.

At the Cultural Survival Bazaars, you can meet and learn from many of the artisans who represent their time-honored craft-making at their local markets, all in one place. Honor Indigenous talent and traditions by purchasing handmade, culturally relevant art from all over the world. Draw a portrait with Deborah Moorehead! Learn Amate paper making! Watch Kayapo ceremonies! Experience cotton weaving! Discover how to transform metal into jewelry! Create multi-media art with Kichwa multidisciplinary artist Adina! Make an Indigenous craft, listen to live world music, participate in dance, delight in the flavors of cultural foods, and celebrate the season with family and friends by making a difference in the world.

The Cultural Survival Bazaar, organized by the Indigenous-led nonprofit of the same name, has served as a premier fair-trade festival for global Indigenous arts and culture since 1975. The event connects artisans from five continents directly with consumers, offering unique, handmade items ranging from textiles and home goods to jewelry and clothing, with all purchases supporting Indigenous livelihoods and community projects. Shoppers support millennia-old traditions and the lifeways of Indigenous communities worldwide.

The annual Bazaars are a program of the International, Indigenous-led NGO, Cultural Survival. Cultural Survival advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights and supports Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures, and political resilience since 1972 (www.cs.org).

What to Expect:

A Unique World-Class Marketplace: Shop one-of-a-kind jewelry, clothing, hand-knotted rugs, home goods, contemporary crafts and fine art directly from over 50 Indigenous artists and cooperatives. Please visit the event webpage for more information about featured artists.

Africa:

  • Bernard Domingo: Shona wire/bead artist representing self-created Zimbabwean cooperatives.
  • Grace Basemara: Represents Zulu, Bayei, and Hambukushu artists across eastern and southern Africa.
  • Tory Khakali: Sells jewelry and soapstone statues from Kenyan cooperatives.
  • Ritah Nakadi: Works with Ugandan cooperatives creating bark cloth art and accessories.
  • Project Have Hope: Partners with Ugandan cooperatives making recycled newspaper jewelry.

Asia:

  • Sanjar Nazaros: Uzbek/Lakai master embroiderer, soumak weaver, and UNESCO award winner.
  • Serzhan Bashirov: Three-time UNESCO award-winning Kazakh-naiman silversmith from Kazakhstan.
  • Ongyel Sherpa: Represents Newari and Tibetan artisans making ornaments, textiles, and apparel.
  • Association Hunarmad: Features Uzbekistani miniature artists selling mulberry bark silk paper paintings.

Western and Southern Asia:

  • Hebron Glass: Represents indigenous Palestinian hand-blown glass and ceramic makers.
  • Yuv Textiles: Shares textile designs from Phulkari artisans in Punjab, India.
  • Afra Kashmir: Features Kashmiri textiles, ornaments, shawls, and rugs.

Central America:

  • Cecilia Imports: Represents Guatemalan cooperatives selling vibrant textiles, jewelry, and worry dolls.
  • GuateMaya Arts: Represents multiple cooperatives selling paintings by Indigenous artists across Guatemala.

South America:

  • Associação Indígena Pykôre & Cooperativa Matkre (Brazil): Indigenous-led group revitalizing Kayapó culture. Represented by leader Pat I and artisan Dhayany Gomes Rios da Silva, featuring Kayapó women's beaded/woven jewelry and Amazonian genipapo fruit cloth paintings.
  • Yarina Threads (Ecuador): Showcases clothing, jewelry, and accessories from Indigenous cooperatives.
  • Kilaya (Ecuador): Led by Kisapincha women from Ambato, selling naturally dyed cotton fabrics and ancestral clothing.
  • Tania Montahuano (Ecuador): Sapara artist from the Amazon selling jewelry, feather earrings, and ceramics from community women.
  • Marilú Fernandez (Peru): Represents a Quechua cooperative producing handmade belts, bags, and accessories.
  • Andrea Cristina Londy-Mejía (Ecuador): Indigenous artist sharing handmade jewelry and textiles.
  • Tarin Andrea Gonzalez (Chile): Multimedia artist of Mapuche and Diaguita ancestry showcasing handmade jewelry.
  • Daniel Gómez: Purepecha coppersmith featuring custom copper pieces, home goods, and ornaments.
  • Organización Indígena de la Guajira Yanama (Colombia): Indigenous-led organization selling Wayuu Mochilas (bags).
  • María Violet (Colombia): Nasa community leader sharing handmade jewelry, artwork, and apparel.

North America:

  • Julio Laja Chichicaxtle (Mexico): Otomi Indigenous artist specializing in traditional bark paper art.
  • Roberto Mejía Muñoz & Patricia García (Mexico): Mestizo artists creating popotillo natural fiber crafts rooted in ancestral Nahuatl culture.
  • Rubén Flores Apaez (Mexico): Nahua artist from Guerrero showcasing a 25-year practice of ancient feather work art and jewelry.
  • Wampum Makers: Robert DeGaetano (Mashpee Wampanoag), and Annawon Weeden (Mashpee Wampanoag, Pequot, Narragansett)
  • Deborah Spears Moorehead: Wampanog artist.
  • Philbert Begay: Diné/Navajo silversmith creating silver jewelry with turquoise and coral, practicing a century-old family art passed down from his father.

Europe:

  • Ganna Nepyivoda (Ukraine): Represents Hutsul artisans from the Carpathian highlands, displaying embroidery, carpet weaving, and egg decorating.
  • Katerina Doda (North Macedonia): Silversmith specializing in traditional filigree art.

Live Cultural Performances: Immerse yourself in the sounds and movements of the world with live music performances, storytelling, and traditional dance from internationally renowned Indigenous artists.

For Performance Schedule visit: https://www.bazaar.culturalsurvival.org/tiverton

  • Yarina: A Nammy Award-winning Kichwa-Ecuadorian band.
  • Juan Lázaro Méndolas: A Quechua-Bolivian musician and composer.
  • Tania Montahuano Ushigua: A singer and storyteller from the Sapara Nation of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
  • Annowon Weeden: A cultural presenter representing the Mashpee Wampanoag, Pequot, and Narragansett nations.
  • The Pykôre Indigenous Association: Represented by Chief Ajrutí and filmmaker Py-i, this group will perform two traditional Kayapó ceremonies.

Hands-On Learning: Participate in exclusive features such as a portrait painting or jewelry making workshop. Visit the event webpage for information about getting tickets for a workshop.

  • Deborah Spears Moorehead: Join award-winning and local community favorite, Wampanoag artist Deborah Spears Moorehead for a unique, hands-on portrait drawing workshop that explores our unique abilities to observe, tell stories, and connect with others through art. .
  • Adina Farinango: Join Adina Farinango (Kichwa), a multidisciplinary artist from Ecuador, for an inspiring, hands-on creative workshop using collage, drawing, writing, and mixed media. Participants will create visual pieces for their future selves inspired by reflection and storytelling.

Demonstrations: Enjoy a wide variety of demonstrations throughout the day. Visit the event webpage for a schedule.

  • Serzhan Bashirov: The UNESCO award-winning Kazakh-Naiman artist will demonstrate traditional metal craftsmanship. He will also explain the spiritual meaning, symbolism, and techniques behind his unique designs.
  • Julio Laja Chichicaxtle: This artisan will demonstrate an ancient pre-Hispanic Amate paper-making technique. This historic craft is still preserved today in his town of San Pablito.
  • Tania Montahuano: Representing the Sapara Nation of Ecuador, she will share a sacred "Icaro" ritual song. She will also guide a jungle-themed meditation to connect participants with nature.
  • Duren Kaneybia and Melina: These Aruhuaco artisans from Colombia will lead a live demonstration on cotton Mochila weaving.
  • KILAYA: This sustainable fashion brand blends Andean identity with modern design through garments made by Indigenous women using ancestral dyeing and weaving techniques. The brand will display its work on mannequins and host textile creation workshops during the Cultural Survival bazaars.
  • Cristina Mejia (Sumak Essentials): She will demonstrate the holistic use of Palo Santo essential oil for pain relief. The practice is rooted in traditional knowledge from the Indigenous coastal custodians of Ecuador's dry forests.
  • Annowon Weeden: This section invites attendees to join in casual conversation, cultural history and various activities led by the Mashpee Wampanoag, Pequot, and Narragansett cultural educator.

Authentic Flavors:

  • Sly Fox Den: James Beard Award Winner Mashpee Wampanoag Chef offers a diverse menu of culturally rich Indigenous cuisine with historic, award-winning flavor profiles.
  • Aguas Frescas Tlaxcalita: This popular mobile vendor and festival staple offers a highly refreshing variety of fresh, all-natural, and authentic Mexican fruit juices.
  • Tapatia Mexican Food: This casual dining favorite serves up massive burritos, flavorful tacos, and exceptional house-made salsa with fast service

Direct Interaction: Meet the makers behind the art. Learn about "Indigenous cosmovisions" and the deep-rooted stories that make each item unique.

Why It Matters:

Your participation goes beyond shopping; it is a commitment to fair trade and Indigenous rights. These events generate nearly $500,000 annually for Indigenous artists and community-led projects, supporting self-determination and the revitalization of millennia-old traditions.

Additional Dates and Locations 2026:

August 1 & 2, 2026
Farm Fresh
10 Sims Ave
Providence, RI 02909

December 12 & 13, 2026

Boston Center for the Arts (BCA)

539 Tremont St

Boston, MA 02116

December 19 & 20, 2026

WaterFire Arts Center

475 Valley St.

Providence, RI 02908

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