Santa Fe is magical. With its rich roots in Native American culture, to its thriving art scene, it’s no wonder thousands flock to the city each year. And while this past year has been an immense challenge, the city of Santa Fe is still strong. Arts, culture, food, stories and connection remain the pinnacles of this historic place, and the more things begin to open again, the more we’re seeing that welcoming environment thrive.
A view of the Plaza in Santa Fe. Courtesy New Mexico TRUE.
A view of the Railyard. Courtesy Santa Fe Tourism.
Further embodying its role as a prominent arts town, Santa Fe is divided into three main arts districts: Canyon Road, including Giacobbe-Fritz Fine Art, GF Contemporary and Canyon Road Contemporary; the Railyard Arts District, home to galleries like Blue Rain Gallery and EVOKE Contemporary; and the Downtown Arts + Museum District, which has institutions like the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the famed hotel La Fonda on the Plaza. Collectors can also find talented artists such as Madina Croce.
Canyon Road. Courtesy Santa Fe Tourism.
The Plaza. Courtesy Santa Fe Tourism.
For the casual explorer and the art connoisseur alike, Santa Fe and the surrounding areas have a medley of annual events to enjoy. Throughout the year, visitors and locals can enjoy events like the Canyon Road Spring Art Festival in spring; the International Folk Art Market, scheduled for this July 7 to 18; Art Santa Fe, which will return in 2022 from July 15 to 22; and in August there are usually hundreds of art events to attend including Santa Fe Indian Market. Food and drink festivals, such as the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta, set for September 22 to 26, round out the cultural celebrations. And come fall and winter art lovers can dive into the Historic Canyon Road Paint and Sculpt Out and SWAIA Winter Indian Market, a more intimate version of the major summer Indian Market.
For those looking for something truly adventurous, Meow Wolf is an arts and entertainment group in Santa Fe that creates interactive experiences that transport audiences into fantastical realms. From traditional Spanish markets to artist studio tours, to gallery shows and museum exhibitions—at places like New Mexico Museum of Art and SITE Santa Fe—there is always something new to discover in the City Different.
The Art of Vacationing
Santa Fe has many historic hotels and inns that combine Southwestern charm with modern amenities and service. Here are just several of the spots to relax and unwind after an art-filled day.
Nestled near the Santa Fe River, The Inn of The Five Graces has a traditional adobe stone exterior, but with opulence inside. Each room is unique with artisan and one-of-a-kind treasures from the historic Silk Road that linked Europe and Asia, allowing for a fusion of the East and West in its style. www.fivegraces.com
Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this July. The hotel reflects the city’s ties to Native American culture, the early Spanish establishment and its ongoing affiliation with the arts—and it even has an extensive art collection blending these influences. www.rosewoodhotels.com/anasazi
One block from the Plaza, Hotel St. Francis is recognized as the oldest hotel in the city. It is named for the patron saint of Santa Fe and has an aesthetic honoring of its early days. A palette of neutral colors is complemented by décor that is handcrafted by local artisans and inspired by the Palace of the Governors. www.hotelstfrancis.com
The Art of Dining
The culinary arts thrive in Santa Fe, with innovative Southwestern fare being among the most popular in the region. Check out just a few of the standouts—others are around just about every corner as you explore the city.
Sazón was opened in 1991 by chef Fernando Olea, who is originally from Mexico City and is known for his Mexican moles. The restaurant also features artwork from Mexican artists on its walls, many of which are available to purchase. www.sazonsantafe.com
Self-described as “a vibrant Mexican-inspired kitchen and bar,” Paloma is headed by chef Nathan Mayes, whose menu of modern interpretations of Mexican cuisine is made from scratch daily. The bar is mezcal focused with agave-based cocktails among its highlights. www.palomasantafe.com
A sister restaurant of local favorite The Shed, La Choza has a friendly and fun atmosphere as well as food that reflects the heritage of the past and present. Its signature, award-winning, red and green chiles are a must-try. www.lachozasf.com
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The Art Districts of Santa Fe
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Blue Rain Gallery
544 S. Guadalupe Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 954-9902
info@blueraingallery.com
www.blueraingallery.com
Blue Rain Gallery represents established contemporary artists of diverse backgrounds working in a variety of mediums such as paintings, ceramics, bronze, glass and jewelry. The gallery is eclectic in its approach, yet maintains a special focus on regional, contemporary Western, Native American and studio glass art. 
An outdoor view of Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe.
Blue Rain Gallery, Invictus, bronze with patinas, 14¼ x 15 x 11", by Bryce Pettit.
“[We] have created and implemented virtual ways for our clients to experience art through podcasts, virtual tours and online catalogs. The good news is that we have seen an increase in tourism and visitors…Thanks to more individuals being vaccinated, we look forward to seeing the return of our clients and friends from all the U.S.” — Peter Stoessel, director of sales and acquisitions, Blue Rain Gallery
Vivian Wang, an established contemporary glass and ceramic sculptor, has been a popular addition to the gallery over the last year. Her work is often referred to as “Asian figurative sculpture.” Wang is part of a group glass show titled More Than Glass running June 25 to July 17, where she will show alongside contemporary glass artists Shelley Muzylowksi Allen, Rik Allen and Susan Taylor Glasgow.
In late May, Blue Rain Gallery will feature a two-man show featuring bronze wildlife sculpture Bryce Pettit and painter Matthew Sievers. Sievers’ signature style is uniquely recognizable. He is fascinated with how light on his varied textured surfaces create interest and curiosity with the viewer’s experience from day to night equating to an underlying sense of joyousness that captures collectors’ appreciation. Following his innate curiosity, Pettit learned the science and industrial mechanics of bronze casting and metallurgy. He immersed himself in understanding the foundry process and, in turn, mastered each step creating unique bronze sculptures of animals with beautiful patinas. The show runs from May 28 to June 10.
Blue Rain Gallery, At the Crosswalk, oil on panel, 48 x 36", by Matthew Sievers.
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Canyon Road Contemporary Art
622 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 983-0433
info@canyoncontemporary.com
www.canyoncontemporary.com
Canyon Road Contemporary Art, As the Day Ends, acrylic on canvas, 72 x 96", by Mark Bowles.
Canyon Road Contemporary Art, Taos Mountain, oil on canvas, 72 x 48", by Ed Sandoval.
“Canyon Road in Santa Fe has long been America’s most aesthetic and rich art destination, and will continue to be so as we head into our season…The lineup of over 80 galleries in less than half a mile showcasing world-class artists on the Road continues to impress, as do the charming and unique gallery buildings that line Santa Fe’s most beautiful road..” — Nancy Ouimet, owner and director, Canyon Road Contemporary Art
Canyon Road Contemporary Art has enjoyed almost 30 years serving art collectors and enthusiasts. Set on Canyon Road across the way from the esteemed Compound Restaurant in an historic adobe building where the former Waxlander Gallery used to operate, Canyon Road Contemporary showcases the works of more than 25 artists and has a spacious setting of 3,500 square feet of exhibition space, with a beautiful garden for its artworks. The art gallery offers an eclectic mix of contemporary art in gemstones, pastel, oil, watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, fused glass and bronze sculpture. Artists represented harken from around the world as they share their vision with guests. This year, the gallery welcomes renowned artist Ed Sandoval to its roster.
Also this year, Canyon Road Contemporary Art celebrates the connection between art and the outdoors with its weekly outdoor showcase. There will be an exciting lineup of exhibitions that will take advantage of the gallery’s outdoor space with Saturday Open Houses, highlighting particular artist shows. Some artists will demonstrate their art under a beautiful domed tent to local-flavor music during the day. The gallery hopes visitors enjoy its safe outdoor environment of music and live art-making.
Canyon Road Contemporary Art has a spacious outdoor space for arts events.
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Madina Croce
Madina Croce Fine Art Studio
Santa Fe, NM, (505) 438-8866
diniart@cybermesa.com
www.madinacroce.cm
Impressionist painter Madina Croce creates lush, radiant paintings of flowers in her garden and the landscapes that surround her, illuminated by the striking New Mexico light which she says is “like nowhere else.” Croce paints primarily in plein air, setting up giant still life bouquets in her garden or traveling to the mountains to paint with the shifting seasons. “This year I had to travel ‘virtually’ to paint California, because of the pandemic,” Croce says. “I created paintings from live ocean videos, complete with the sound of crashing waves that really made me feel like I was there!”
Madina Croce, Spring Irises, oil on panel, 7 x 5"
Madina Croce, Summertime Family, oil on linen, 13 x 21"
Through the venue of Santa Fe outdoor shows, Croce is able to create lasting relationships with her collectors. “I love telling the stories of my paintings to the people who fall in love with them,” she says. “To me, it gives an added dimension to the art experience, and just makes it feel complete.”
Madina Croce, My Blue Heaven (China Cove), oil on panel, 12 x 16"
Croce’s work is available at Madina Croce Fine Art, by appointment in Santa Fe, and Roadrunner Gallery, in Madrid, New Mexico. Collectors can also view her work at Cathedral Park in Santa Fe at the Guild Summer Show Series on May 29 to 30, June 1, July 17 to 18, as well as September 18 to 19 and 25 to 26. Her work can also be found on select weekends with the Santa Fe Society of Artists in downtown Santa Fe.
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EVOKE Contemporary
550 S. Guadalupe Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 995-9902
art@evokecontemporary.com
www.EvokeContemporary.com
EVOKE Contemporary has developed a strong reputation for fostering the careers of prominent artists of both the American and international art scene. The established artists have a strong history of institutional shows and artwork in permanent museum collections. The gallery features some of the most recognized artists working today in the genres of figurative painting and sculpture including Alice Leora Briggs, Ester Curini, Gregory Ferrand, Javier Marín, Soey Milk and Gugger Petter. The gallery also represents some of the foremost American landscape painters such as Seth Armstrong, Christopher Benson and Lynn Boggess.
A view of EVOKE Contemporary in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
A Dialogue with Nature, an exhibition of 40 paintings by Louisa McElwain running May 29 through July 24, launches the gallery’s summer season. The rippling waters and verdant forests of West Virginia eloquently carved in oil paint by Boggess will offer a cool repose from the long summer days at the gallery from July 31 through September 18.
Curini will also be featured from July to September with her captivating monumental portraits of endangered species. She works to raise awareness and funds for organizations that protect wolves in the wild with her deeply moving paintings. 
EVOKE Contemporary, June, oil on canvas, 46 x 40", by Lynn Boggess.
EVOKE Contemporary, Handy Cove, oil on linen, 28 x 26", by Christopher Benson.
A slight departure from nature takes place at the gallery on September 25 through November 20 with an annual exhibition featuring the Tres Modernos: Nicholas Herrera, Patrick McGrath Muñiz and Thomas Vigil. These three contemporary Hispano artists passionately express their distinctive voices through art coming from a place of spirituality and compassion for humanity.
Benson brings it all back to a year of immersion in landscape at EVOKE with a solo exhibition of his grand gestural paintings of the sea from his East Coast origin along with vistas of his native New Mexico opening November 27 and continuing into January 2022.
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GF Contemporary
707 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 983-3707, www.gfcontemporary.com
GF Contemporary, After the Zenith 1, mixed media, 24 x 24", by Pascal Pierme.
GF Contemporary, Night Sky/Sea and Blue
“We are lucky that Santa Fe is a destination for the art collector, and I anticipate with the limited number of art fairs this year that collectors will choose to travel to Santa Fe where it is an art fair every day.” — Stephen P. Woods, gallery director, GF Contemporary
GF Contemporary is dedicated to finding art that is fresh, compelling and meaningful for the environments in which its clients live and work. The ultimate objective of the team is for the collector to feel engaged in an ongoing relationship that will ultimately result in a life enriched by fine art and the camaraderie of the collecting process. The gallery represents established, midcareer and emerging artists including Gigi Mills, who will be having a one-woman show in the fall, and Pascal Pierme, who will be having a 244-page coffee-table book released this fall.
GF Contemporary has acquired several notable artists lately including Hunt Rettig and Mark Mulhern, who has pieces in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to the pandemic, GF Contemporary is having an online “featured artist” every month, which can be viewed on the gallery’s website.
GF Contemporary on Canyon Road offers a wide array of modern works.
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Giacobbe-Fritz Fine Art
702 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 986-1156, www.giacobbefritz.com
Giacobbe-Fritz Fine Art, Night Song, watercolor finished with encaustic, 22 x 18", by Mary Alayne Thomas.
Giacobbe-Fritz Fine Art, Green Dogwoods, small, acrylic on canvas, 16 x 16", by Wendeline Matson.
“Santa Fe is open for business and with travel restrictions in Europe, Santa Fe is the next best thing! 2020 was a difficult year and there have been a lot of changes in our city, but our artists have been working hard through the lockdown, and we have amazing new works to show all the visitors coming to Santa Fe.” — Deborah Fritz, owner, Giacobbe-Fritz Fine Art
Celebrating its 21st year, Giacobbe-Fritz Fine Art is known for an eclectic style, comprising the continuum of art all within an 1880s rambling adobe building on the iconic Canyon Road. The gallery welcomes the seasoned collector and those just beginning their collection in an unintimidating relaxed setting.
Giacobbe-Fritz Fine Art represents professional artists that paint landscape, figure, abstract and still life. Artists of note include Wendeline Matson and Mary Alayne Thomas, who are the gallery’s featured artists for May. Giacobbe-Fritz has also recently acquired several notable artists, including Rebecca Haines, Geoffrey Gorman, Katrina Howarth, Peggy McGivern and Sandra Pratt. Due to the pandemic, the gallery is conducting an online “featured artist” every month, and collectors are encouraged to check the website frequently to find their favorite artists and view new works. —
Giacobbe-Fritz Fine Art is known for its eclectic style and strong mix of contemporary artists.
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