Staff Reports | Community Updates
The Heard Museum has announced the winners of the 2026 Heard Guild Indian Fair & Market juried competition, with Jacqueline Rickard (Walker River Paiute) receiving Best of Show for her basket, It Is Pure Joy, Basket Creation.
The annual market featured more than 640 Indigenous artists competing for more than $160,000 in prize money, making it one of the largest Indigenous art markets in the world, according to a press release.
Jacqueline Rickard received the award during the Indian Fair & Market awards reception held March 6 in Phoenix. The Best of Show honor recognizes one work selected from hundreds of juried submissions by Indigenous artists from across North America.
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to participate in the annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market. I am in awe of the wonderful craftsmanship of all the people who entered the competition, and I’m deeply honored that my basket was chosen for Best of Show,” Ms. Rickard said.
“When I received the news, I sat in disbelief, but indeed, I had won. I was blown away. I am now in recovery, and my senses are restored. 2026 was my first time at the market and museum. Everyone was gracious, helpful, and delightful. The museum itself is incredible. I look forward to returning next year.”
The event also highlighted emerging artists through the Youth Art Show & Sale. Aiden Kahn (Navajo) received the Youth Best of Show award for A Day With Shimasani (Grandma).
Additional honors were awarded across multiple artistic categories, including jewelry, pottery, sculpture, textiles and painting.
2026 Heard Guild Indian Fair & Market Best of Classification awards
Best jewelry, lapidary and metal work — Roy Talahaftewa | Hopi | Concho Belt, Water & Corn Clan Migration
Best pottery — Jared Tso | Navajo | Hastiin Bob Square Bun
Best two-dimensional art — Merlin Little Thunder | Cheyenne | From a Place of Strength and Beauty
Best Pueblo carvings — Tayron Polequaptewa | Hopi | Monongya Katsina
Best sculpture — Leon Misak Kinneeveauk | Inupiaq | Katang the Shaman of Visions Past
Best weavings and textiles — Kevin Aspaas | Navajo | Holy Corn
Best diverse art forms — Kevin Pourier | Oglala Lakota
Best baskets — Jacqueline Rickard | Walker River Paiute | It Is Pure Joy, Basket Creation
2026 Heard Guild Indian Fair & Market Conrad House Innovation Award
Earl Patterson Jr. (Hopi)
Grinding Stone
2026 Heard Guild Indian Fair & Market Idyllwild Arts Imagination Award
Shelby Rowe (Chickasaw)
I’ll Walk You Home
2026 Heard Guild Indian Fair & Market Indian Arts & Crafts Association Commemorative Award
Kyle Lee‑Anderson (Navajo)
Night Sky
Best of Show winners were announced during the awards reception at the Heard Guild Indian Fair & Market in Phoenix on March 6, 2026. The Best of Show award is supported by Howard R. and Joy M. Berlin, the Head Family, Sharron Lewis, and Kristine and Lee Peterson. The Youth Art Show & Sale is supported by lead donor Susan Orr in memory of William and Tyler Orr.
A complete list of juried competition winners is available online.
The event also included the Youth Art Show & Sale, a family activity area and food vendors.
The Heard Guild Indian Fair & Market draws tens of thousands of visitors annually. Proceeds from ticket sales support the Heard Museum’s mission to advance American Indian art.
