Maria Chabot was a writer and an advocate for Native American and Spanish Colonial artistic traditions. In 1936, with New Mexico Association on Indian Affairs president Margretta Dietrich, Chabot helped to establish Santa Fe's "Indian Market" as a weekly event modeled on Mexican outdoor markets and held under the Santa Fe Palace of the Governors portal. She also proposed that native artists be allowed to set their own prices. These art markets became the popular annual Santa Fe Indian Market.
In 1940, Chabot met Georgia O’Keeffe in New Mexico. From 1941 to 1944, Chabot spent summers with O'Keeffe at the artist's Ghost Ranch house managing activities at the ranch. She also often accompanied O'Keeffe on camping trips throughout northern New Mexico. In 1946, Chabot supervised the building crew and participated in design decisions for what became O'Keeffe's primary residence in Abiquiú, New Mexico.
Use this guide to learn more about Maria Chabot, and Chabot's connection to Georgia O’Keeffe and the Abiquiú house.
