Travel the World Without Leaving Providence This Winter

You could scroll endlessly for holiday gifts, or you could step into a space where every piece has a maker, a lineage, and a living story. From December 20-21, the Cultural Survival Bazaar returns to Providence, transforming the WaterFire Arts Center into a vibrant marketplace of global culture and connection.

Now in its 50th year, the Winter Solstice Indigenous Art Holiday Market celebrates Indigenous artists and communities across more than 20 countries and six continents. With over 50 artisans and community representatives, the Bazaar offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to shop handmade, fair-trade goods including jewelry, textiles, clothing, housewares, blown glass, and more – all rooted in tradition and purpose.

Attendees can meet the makers and explore time-honored crafts passed down through generations. Highlights include Mashpee Wampanoag wampum maker Robert DeGaetano, Quechua weaver Marilu Fernandez of Peru, and Saoudata Walet Aboubacrine of the Kel Tamashek people, whose work spans Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Community-led initiatives also take center stage, such as the Arhuaco mochila project from Colombia, where Indigenous women craft wool backpacks using traditional techniques, and the Associação Indígena Pykore of Brazil, preserving Kayapó culture through intricate beaded jewelry.

Live performances throughout the weekend enhance the immersive experience. Musical acts include Kichwa Otavalo fusion group Yarina, Ugandan folk artist Samuel Nalangira, and Indigenous musician and author Lyla June Johnston. Local voices are represented, too, with Fancy Dancer Tia Roberts and Narragansett storyteller Thawn Sherenté Harris sharing culture through dance, song, and oral history.

“The connection shows people that this is what we do and how we live,” says Diné/Navajo silversmith Phibert Begay. “This is the beauty we create.”

With a suggested admission of $10 (pay what you can), the Bazaar supports nearly half a million dollars in annual income for Indigenous artists and communities worldwide. For more information, visit Bazaar.CulturalSurvival.Org