Bluff Arts Festival celebrates Arts & Culture of the Four Corners Area

In its 19th year, the Bluff Arts Festival is an annual celebration of the arts and culture of the Four Corners region. Artists, writers, film makers, and musicians give their interpretation of their culture and talents in various Bluff settings surrounded by red rocks and golden cottonwoods.
The festival is now part of the newly formed Bluff Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting the arts and community of greater Bluff through existing community initiatives and fostering new ones.
The festival kicks off on Thursday, October 19 with Riverside Storytelling behind the Recapture Lodge along the San Juan River.
The evening begins with the winner of the Ellen Meloy Award for Desert Writers is Kathryn Wilder, author of Desert Chrome: Water, a Woman, and Wild Horses in the West
Winner of the Colorado Book Award, Wilder lives among mustangs and cows in southwest Colorado. Open mic for other short poets’ and writers’ storytelling will be available after Wilder’s reading.
Friday, October 20 begins with a variety of workshops, including silversmith Jonah Hill teaching Creative Tufa and Cuttlebone Casting and artist Tim Hamilton helping participants make hand-built clay wind bells.
Later, an Art Walk takes place around Bluff to look into artists’ studios, trading posts, galleries and businesses. Online maps are at bluffartsfestival.org and around town.
The annual film festival directed by Four Corners’ film makers and shown on a large outdoor screen at the Bluff Community Center includes:
LA MORENA by Pita Juarez. It highlights Chicana Artist Lucinda Hinojos, also known as “La Morena”. She is a single mom, a victim of domestic violence and an immigrants rights activist in Phoenix, AZ.
THE LAND OF NEESHJIZHII by Kaela Waldstein. Healthy Futures, Inc. and Indigenous communities come together to preserve Diné farming and traditional foods. 
JOE BUFFALO by Amar Chebib. Joe Buffalo is an Indigenous skateboard legend and a survivor of the notorious Indian Residential School system. Following a traumatic childhood and decades of addiction, Joe faces inner demons to realize his dream of turning pro.
TAD’S EMERGING WORLD by Dawn Kish. A photographic journey with adventure/conservation photographer Dawn Kish into Glen Canyon as it emerges from 60 years of being under water using legendary photographer Tad Nichols’ camera.
WALK WITH PRIDEby Kaela Waldstein.Every year, the Santa Fe Indian Market culminates with a Haute Couture Fashion Show highlighting Indigenous fashion designers.
WALKING TWO WORLDS by Maia Wikler. Quannah Chasinghorse pursues her dream of being an Indigenous super-model.
On Saturday, October 21, Four Corners artisans will sell creations at the Artist Market at Bluff Community Center from 10 to 5 p.m.
Featured artist Richard Lomahinma Dawavendewa has art from his linoleum relief and serigraphy prints. Award winning “Rain Storm” is on posters and merchandise at the Bluff Arts Festival.
A variety of over 30 artists will have booths to fascinate and entice visitors all day.
Throughout Saturday, workshops will address gardening, photography, drawing, papermaking and painting mediums. Sign up for workshops at bluffartsfestival.org
The Bluff Arts Festival concludes with live music at the Bluff Community Center at 6:30 pm. Two favorite Four bands will let loose with country rock band Broken Arrow and Hopi reggae band Ed Kabotie and Tha’ Yoties. Food trucks will be available and local restaurants.