Autumn Fest-Celebrating the history, culture, and arts of the San Carlos Apache

Autumn Fest

Saturday, October 24, 2026

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

$10 per vehicle

Celebrating the history, culture, and arts of the San Carlos Apache Community

 Join Amerind at our 15^th Annual Autumn Fest as we celebrate the history, culture, and arts of the San Carlos Apache. Rich in tradition, history, and culture, San Carlos Apache teachers, visual artists, and performing artists will hold a day-long cultural celebration at the Amerind Museum in Dragoon, Arizona.

Autumn Fest features scholarly talks throughout the day, musical performances, artist booths, and food vendors.

The Amerind is thrilled to announce musical performances by San Carlos Apache artist, Anthony Belvado. Anthony who is a third-generation fiddle maker, will be playing traditional Apache fiddle (tsii” edo’a’tl) music and talking about its history and cultural significance. He will also have his handmade Apache Fiddles, Apache playing cards, leather pouches and pen and ink drawings available for sale. Anthony was awarded the 2018 Master-Apprentice Artist Award from the Southwest Folklife Alliance, In 2014 he received the Dubin, Native Artist Fellowship award from the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, NM. He has exhibited his work in many museums shows including at the Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix, AZ.  We hope you will come out and meet Anthony and hear his beautiful music. While you are here, we invite you to go upstairs and check out the Apache Fiddle in our permanent display.

With scholarly talks throughout the day from Scholars Marcus Macktima (San Carlos Apache/Hopi) and Former San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairwoman Professor Kathy Kitcheyan.

We have an exciting line up of artists booths, from all 3 of last year’s People’s Choice Winners along with past years winners, first time participating artists showing everything from Jewelry, pottery, paintings, wood carving, glass art, digital art, clothing, marionettes, photography and more.

Including:

Earl Dino Patterson Jr. (Hopi), Veronica & Ernest Benally (Diné), Roger Perkins (Mohawk), Maria Arvayo (Pasqua Yaqui), Nanibaa Beck (Diné), Colleen Bigman (Diné), Leonard Boyd (Spokane), Cheyenne Custer (Diné), Priscilla Tacheney (Diné), Evangeline Enoah (Diné), Michelle Silver (Diné), Matagi Sorensen (Yavapai Apache), Eric & Charlatta Greenstone (Diné), Arnold & Karlene Goodluck (Diné), Alex & Shane Beeshligaii (Diné), Anthony Belvado (San Carlos Apache), Talrick Enjady (Mescalero Apache) Ira Lujan (Taos/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) and more

Autumn Fest brought to you by the generosity of:  

Sarah and Bill Burk

Thank you to all of our Autumn Fest sponsors, you help Amerind share unforgettable experiences with Indigenous culture and art!

This year’s People Choice Winners were:

First Place -Earl Dino Patterson Jr. (Hopi) Katsina Dolls, carving.

Second Place- Ira Lujan (Taos/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) Glass art

Third Place- Colleen Bigman (Diné) Marionettes

*All winners along with the cash award receive a free booth to next year’s Autumn Fest.

Congratulations to all our winners and to all the visitors who voted! Photos will be coming soon to Facebook/Instagram.

Thank you to all the other participating artists, for sharing your beautiful creations, you make Autumn Fest special!