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Santa Fe Arts
Dining
Santa Fe
Did you know. . .
- UNESCO bestowed upon
- Considering our vast array of art forums, it's not surprising that
The arts and
Fine Art
Many tourists are surprised to learn that
Galleries
From primitive to avant-garde, more than 200 art galleries thrive in
Museums
Our museums showcase local, national, and international artwork, with ever-changing exhibits. Before you visit
A good starting point is the
Museum of Fine Arts, emphasizing 20th-century New Mexican art.
Museum of Indian Arts and Culture & the Laboratory of Anthropology, devoted to the pottery, jewelry, and other arts of native artisans from 11th-century Anasazi culture to contemporary
Museum of International Folk Art, "defies categorization" according to the museum's own description. You'll find dolls, masks, religious icons, and a plethora of art and artifacts.
Museum of Spanish Colonial Art features contemporary art influenced by Hispanic traditions, as well as artifacts from the old-world Spanish empire, including a 1780 Mexican house.
Palace of the Governors, chronicles the history of
Among the other numerous museums in
Bataan Military Memorial Museum honors the history of the troops who served and suffered in the Philippines during World War II: the soldiers of the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery Anti-aircraft units, citizens of New Mexico who enlisted with the NM National Guard, young men who represented the diverse cultures of their state—Navajo, Pueblo, Mexican, Anglo, Hispanic, and Apache—who endured some of the worst atrocities of the war.
474-1670
El Museo Cultural, a versatile arts venue, hosts seminars and workshops for all age groups, covering all facets of the arts: dance, theater, literary, music, and visual arts, with special emphasis on Hispanic culture and traditions.
El Rancho de las Golondrinas, a living history museum, depicts life from another era. Literally meaning "the ranch of the swallows," this 1700s ranch was a stopping point for weary travelers along the famous Camino Real, the "royal road" from
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, honoring
Institute of American Indian Arts Museum offers a sophisticated, cross-cultural view of contemporary Native American fine art.
School for Advanced Research, previously known as the
SITE Santa Fe, renowned for its cutting-edge art exhibits, is also a comprehensive arts education venue.
Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, founded in 1937 by Mary Cabot Wheelwright, boasts one of the finest collections of contemporary Native-American artists, though its collections date back to the 1800s and include some treasures of Indian folk art.
Performing Arts
With two dozen performing arts organizations,
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, hailed by The New York Times as a "breath of fresh air." This 17 year-old dance company is a
Canticum Novum, a world-class chamber orchestra and chorus, is one of the newest additions to
www.sfcanticumnovum.com
Center for Contemporary Arts, a multi-use facility, offers a theater for foreign and art films; a stage for dance and theater productions; and visual arts galleries for both emerging and internationally-recognized artists.
Desert Chorale, celebrating its 25th year, is a fully professional chamber chorus with a repertoire reaching back nine centuries. They are celebrated both for their breadth of material and for the group's virtuosity. Public performances, often presented in small, acoustically-ideal venues, are given both in winter and in summer programs. Since 2002, they have extended their love of music and singing to children, ages 8 to 14, through the Desert Chorale Children’s Chorus.
Garson Theatre Company, at home in the
Lensic Performing Arts Center, the crown jewel of
www.lensic.com
Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco takes its name from the world-class dancer and choreographer, Maria Benitez, who keeps alive and well the traditions, the expertise, and the drama of Spanish dance. This is entertainment not to be missed.
Music One – Santa Fe Concert Association, brings eclectic as well as time-honored musicians to
The Sangre de Christo Chorale, formed in 1978, began as an adult volunteer ensemble dedicated to fine chorale music for the communities of northern
Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival is both the name of one of
Santa Fe Men's Camerata is an all-male, a cappella choir, originating in 1998. Their repertory includes Mendelssohn as well as McCartney, and whatever they sing their incredible voices add to the rich experience of music in
Santa Fe Opera ranks as one of the nation's premier open-air opera houses—not just because this refurbished theater has won multiple design awards, but because the opera company is nonpareil, widely extolled for the high quality of their five productions per season (July through August), as well for their vision and daring in presenting new or rare works. A bonus to each production: the open-air design allows you to bask in the gorgeous sunsets and magnificent skies over the
Santa Fe Playhouse, the oldest continuously-running theater company west of the
Santa Fe Pro Música, though a relatively small orchestra/chamber ensemble, has attained world-class stature, presenting some of the finest concert performances with internationally acclaimed guest artists, from October through May. In addition, they host study groups, competitions, and annual festivals—the
Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, outstanding as the city's largest professional ensemble, has also gained national prestige through its broadcast performances on National Public Radio. From timeless masterpieces to holiday traditions, they attract enthusiasts from across the country.
www.sf-symphony.org
Santa Fe Women's Ensemble, a 12-member group, has charmed audiences since 1980, whether singing music from the Middle Ages or contemporary pieces. Having been invited to tour
Theater Grottesco originated in Europe as a traveling company and made their home in
www.theatergrottesco.org
Theaterwork is a nonprofit professional theater company offering a long season of top-notch performances from September through June—everything from the classics to new, commissioned plays by local playwrights. Their beautiful, intimate theater also houses a teen conservatory for theater arts, classes in acting, and story collecting for children and adults.
Wise Fool New Mexico is a nonprofit formed in 1998; their mission: to promote theater arts as a force of positive change in the world. Drawing from multicultural traditions of puppetry and storytelling, they offer interactive, highly visual performances and workshops for all ages.
Film
The Santa Fe Film Festival, held annually in November and December, is dedicated to "the power of film to span different cultures." They showcase an impressive roster of international films, videos, awards, and discussion panels to bring their point home. Titles may be newly-released or selected to pay homage to accomplished artists from the past. Many theaters participate in the screenings, and Santa Feans turn out in the thousands.
CCA Cinemateque,
www.ccasantafe.org
Regal Cinemas Santa Fe Stadium 14, our newest multiplex, underpins its blockbuster features with stadium seating, state-of-the-art sound system, and a vast concession area.
424-0799
Santa Fe Film Center, a host theater for the Santa Fe Film Festival, is a cozy 125-seat auditorium that feels more like a living room. Saturday afternoons are reserved for kids' movies and Thursday evenings feature gay cinema.
The Screen, a prominent feature of the
United Artists/Regal DeVargas 6, a first-run commercial cinema, simultaneously presents on 6 screens the best of
505-988-2775
United Artists/Regal North, at the
471-3377
Literary Life
You may not have time read if you attend all the book signings and poetry readings that abound in
Lannan Foundation, in cooperation with the Lensic theater, invites literary notables from around the world to participate in their "Readings & Conversations" series, held each year from September through May. Presentations include author readings, interviews, and panel discussions with such luminaries as A.S. Byatt, Noam Chomsky, Eduardo Galeano, Seymour Hersh, Jamaica Kincaid, Salman Rushdie, and Amy Tan. Radio broadcasts and online podcasts are an important part of bringing these authors to the public. Additionally, Lannan sponsors awards and fellowships for writers, and arranges events and programs at other venues around
New Mexico Book Association is a great resource for both writers and publishers, through their comprehensive newsletter, "Libro Monthly" and their directory, Book World: A Resource Guide. They also host luncheons and other intimate book events, both in-state and out-of-state.
PEN New Mexico, as a charter member of the national PEN organization, sponsors conferences, seminars, readings, and radio broadcast interviews with authors.
Southwest Literary Center/Recursos de Santa Fe, dedicated to the development of good writing and new talent, hosts lectures, conferences, workshops, and expositions for both artistic and academic writers. Their "Writers Reading Series" is a popularly-attended set of readings by poets, novelists, and nonfiction authors.
Fiestas, Markets & Annual Events
Festivities and celebrations are deeply rooted in
January
Souper Bowl Sunday combines a little fund-raising with the fun of this national sports pastime. While attendees can sample soups from
Native American Feast Days and dances are celebrated throughout the year by many of the 8 Pueblos Indian tribes situated near
February
ART Feast is a weekend of fund-raiser events that celebrate
Bach Festival, held in February and March, is hosted by Santa Fe Pro Musica. The public is treated to several evenings of the timeless music of Bach and his sons, performed by professional ensembles and held at various venues throughout the city.
March
Bach Festival, see above for description.
Gladfelter Bump Contest/Southwest Snowboard Championships, at the Santa Fe Ski Area just 16 miles from the Plaza. With an elevation of 10,350, Ski Santa Fe is among the highest ski areas in the country. These annual championships held in March are ever-popular, with moguls events, prizes, and live music.
Monothon is the
April
Chimayo Pilgrimage, held each year during Easter Holy Week observances, entails thousands of believers making a pilgrimage to the Santuario de Chimayo, known as "The Lourdes of America" for its reputation as a healing site. One of the many churches of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, it is also considered the oldest church in
May
Santa Fe Century Bicycle Ride celebrates
Civil War Weekend - while many are surprised to learn that Civil War battles did reach
June
Rodeo de Santa Fe dates back to 1949 and is today one of the top rodeos in the nation. Whether it's Barrel Racing, Calf Roping, Team Roping, Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronco, Steer Wrestling, or Bull Riding, come cheer for your favorite event and rodeo performers. It's "big time rodeo with a small town feeling"!
Spring Festival, El Rancho de las Golondrinas, teaches about olden-time
Santa Fe Writers Conference, a gathering of distinguished writers and publishing professionals, joins aspiring newcomers with accomplished faculty and guests for workshops, private conferences, and readings.
www.santafewritersconference.com
July
Pancakes on the Plaza - Fourth of July has never been so special as with this annual Independence Day celebration. Sponsored by the
Santa Fe County Fair, traditionally held on the Rodeo Grounds, offers something for the whole family, including a frog-jumping contest. Of course, there are the time-honored favorites, as well: 4-H livestock events, a herding dog exhibit, an auction, kiddie rides, a cook-off, musical and dance entertainment, and a wide array of food concession stands.
Santa Fe International Folk Art Market has grown over the past few years to include over 110 artists from 40 different countries, attracting over 17,000 visitors. Artists undergo a rigorous, juried application process assessing standards of authenticity, quality of product, aesthetics, and technical skill. All artists reflect traditions that spring from their respective cultures and many represent humanitarian organizations whose work supports improving economic conditions and the quality of life for others.
Spanish Market is one of the undisputed major cultural events of the season, featuring unique art work created in the Spanish Colonial tradition. The
- Hide Paintings - religious images painted on deer or elk hide
- Straw Appliqué - crosses, chests, and boxes decorated with applied straw
- Textiles - hand-woven on looms using handspun yarns
- Furniture - usually made from pine using mortise and tenon joints
- Colcha - unique regional embroideries employing the colcha stitch
- Tinwork - decorative and utilitarian objects of cut and punched tin
- Ironwork - tools, fastenings, and household objects forged from iron
- Precious Metals - silver or gold jewelry, utilitarian and devotional objects
- Pottery - hand-sculpted bowls, pots, and other ware made from micaceous clay
- Bonework - decorative items, anillos (rings), and tool handles carved from bones
- Ramilletes - decorative paper garlands
- Basketry - baskets hand-woven from red and brown river willow
Detailed information can be found at: www.spanishcolonial.org
August
Santa Fe Indian Market features the best-of-the-best among Native American artists and craftsmen, drawing literally millions of serious collectors and the merely curious from every part of the globe. Buy directly from over 1,200 artists representing about 100 tribes, talk with them, learn from them. Quality is the hallmark of this market. It is
Summer Festival and Frontier Market, at El Rancho de las Golondrinas, a living-history museum set on a 200-acre historic ranch, is the place to meet mountain men and women of yesteryear, demonstrating their skills and sharing their homespun tales and wisdom. Pan for gold, tan a hide, make a bow, or knap a flint while experiencing some of the wild of the old wild west.
September
Fiesta de Santa Fe honors the Spanish resettlement of
Zozobra, a giant puppet embodying the disappointments and mistakes of the year (often referred to as "Old Man Gloom"), was created by Santa Fe artist Will Shuster and is reincarnated each year by the Kiwanis Club, as its major fund-raising event. The well-rehearsed ritual of Zozobra's flaming demise, accompanied by a chorus of cheers from forward-looking Santa Feans, officially kicks off the start of Fiesta.
New Mexico State Fair is held annually in
Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta is THE food event in
October
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the world's largest hot air balloon event: nearly 800 balloons of every shape and hue rise, race, and regale the hundreds of thousands of onlookers. You won't want to miss this spectacular event if you're anywhere in the vicinity in October.
Harvest Festival - Bring in the harvest with the villagers of El Rancho de las Golondrinas by sharing in various harvest traditions: crush wine grapes by foot; watch burros grind sorghum to make molasses; string colorful chile ristras; or enjoy bizcochitos fresh from the horno and tortillas hot off the comal. Everyone can kick up their heels to the music while artisans display and sell their crafts to collectors. Also, a special outdoor Mass and procession for
November
AID and Comfort Gala, held each year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, holds the reputation for being the liveliest party in
Open Hands "Open Hearts" Benefit Auction is the premier art fundraising event of the holiday season. Open Hands provides essential services to assist elderly, disabled, or economically disadvantaged New Mexicans to live with dignity and independence. Each year supporters gather at the Nussbaumer Fine Art Gallery for a silent auction of artwork donated by over 100
Opening Day at the Santa Fe Ski Area typically occurs Thanksgiving Day, though according to the snowfall, it can occur sooner or later.<SPAN style="mso-
