For years friends would say “You have to go to Santa Fe. You’ll love it.” My response was always “Who the hell wants to go to Santa Fe?” When an artist friend invited me to visit him and his family there, I took advantage of the opportunity. I was in love with the landscape before I’d left the airport. There are many reasons why New Mexico is called the “Land of Enchantment.” For me it has been the “Land of Entrapment” since I’ve lived here for 16 years in a small adobe casita that was converted from an old goat shed. Heaven.
The Institute of American Indian Arts’ (IAIA) Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
Creative people of all sorts live here. Visual artists carry on the traditions of generations of Native Americans, Mexicans and European Americans, and others break into new frontiers. Writers, musicians, movie stars, moguls and young people just starting out all contribute to the creative mix.
We have over 250 art galleries that show the traditional arts of the Southwest as well as galleries that show work recognized internationally. Blue Rain Gallery and Evoke Contemporary in the Railyard District show regional and international work from paintings and sculpture to glass. NüArt Gallery on Canyon Road introduces international artists to the local market and features some of Santa Fe’s finest. Just down the street, Zaplin Lampert Gallery shows the early work of the Taos Society of Artists and the Santa Fe Art Colony, as well as American paintings of the 19th-and early 20th-centuries. Downtown near the historic Santa Fe Plaza, Hecho Gallery features art from New Mexico and Oaxaca that is “at the intersection of innovation and tradition.” Not far away is Niman Fine Art, showing the work of Dan Namingha and his sons Arlo and Michael, descendants of the great Hopi-Tewa potter Nampeyo, and each contributing to Santa Fe’s creative art scene.
The Railroad Arts District is a thriving arts hub in Santa Fe.
Between Hecho and Niman galleries are the New Mexico Museum of Art and the New Mexico History Museum. The Museum of Art will open its contemporary branch in the Railyard District later this year. Across the plaza and facing the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts. A few miles away is Museum Hill, home to several museums and across the street from the Santa Fe Botanical Garden.
Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the U.S. The Palace of the Governors, facing the Plaza, was built in 1610 by order of the Spanish Crown and is the oldest public building in continuous use, constructed by European settlers in the continental United States. Native American artists sell their pottery, jewelry and weavings under the portal.
View of the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
After seeing the sites, there's a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. I don’t know when I last went to one that’s part of a national chain. They run from traditional Northern New Mexico cuisine to restaurants with internationally recognized chefs. There are small venues like Dolina Bakery & Café whose proprietor is from Slovakia and Calfouti, operated by a couple from France. Many larger venues have wonderful outdoor patios like SantaCafé, a short stroll from the plaza. La Fonda on the Plaza is the city’s oldest hotel and occupies a site that has been occupied by hostelries since around 1610. Its courtyard has been enclosed with a glass skylight. The lobby, hallways and meeting rooms of the hotel are home to a growing collection of primarily Native American art.
You may not feel the earth move under your feet but the Sangre de Cristo mountains on the east are still growing from tectonic shifts and the volcanic activity that crated the Jemez Mountains to the west still warm hot springs not far from town.
Canyon Road Arts District is home to over 100 galleries, boutiques and restaurants in less than a mile.Taos is about 70 miles away and reachable either along the Rio Grande through the Rio Grande Gorge or by the High Road to Taos. Driving up out of the gorge just outside Taos there is a spectacular view of the northern part of the gorge created not by the river, but by a still active geological rift. Dixon, along the river route and Truchas on the High Road are both centers of impressive artistic activity.
I have to agree with English novelist D.H. Lawrence who lived in Taos in the 1920s. “I think New Mexico was the greatest experience I ever had from the outside world. It certainly changed me forever.”
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72 Hours in Santa Fe
You can’t see it all, but you can try…
Day 1
After breakfast at a local favorite Dolina Bakery & Cafe, get acquainted with downtown Santa Fe on a guided tram or walking tour to get a great overview of the city’s history, culture and architecture.
Then doing some exploring on your own—the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is a good place to start. It’s small and easily seen within an hour, showcasing the works of the country’s most famous female artist. Then take your pick of other downtown museums, like the New Mexico Museum of Art which features work by historic and contemporary Southwest artists. Nearby is the New Mexico History Museum, which includes the Palace of the Governors, and the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, home to the most progressive work of contemporary Native artists.
Day 2
It’s no wonder that Santa Fe has been ranked among the 10 best cities in the world for art lovers. Before heading out, start with a hearty breakfast at diner-style landmark Tia Sophia’s. Then head out for Canyon Road, a half-mile-long stretch packed with galleries and boutiques. You’ll find contemporary and traditional works by some of the best artists working today in every genre you can think of.
When it’s time for lunch, you’ll find several restaurants on Canyon Road amid all the art such as The Teahouse. Or make the short drive up to Museum Hill, where there is not only a great cafe with extraordinary views, but four world-class museums and a botanical garden.
Then relax over a delicious dinner in one of Santa Fe’s acclaimed restaurants such as the intimate La Boca, followed by some live music, a Flamenco performance or Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return which certainly adds credibility to Santa Fe’s moniker, “The City Different.”
Day 3
It’s time to check out the eclectic and vibrant Railyard District, home to contemporary galleries, art spaces and parks. You’ll find SITE Santa Fe, a contemporary art museum that hosts exciting exhibits and on select days, the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from early morning to noon.
Finish up your afternoon in the downtown Santa Fe Plaza, where you’ll find more galleries devoted to Native American art as well as contemporary and traditional arts of the Southwest. At the Native American Artisans Portal Program, you can meet the artists behind an ever-changing array of handcrafted items including pottery, textiles and jewelry.
Close out the day catching one of Santa Fe’s spectacular sunsets from the top of the Cross of the Martyrs, an outdoor park on the northeast side of Paseo de Peralta. Then head out to enjoy the creative local fare at Sazón, where the food itself can be a work of art.
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Blue Rain Gallery
544 S. Guadalupe Street
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
(505) 954-9902
info@blueraingallery.com
www.blueraingallery.com
A cornerstone gallery of Santa Fe’s Railyard’s Arts District, Blue Rain Gallery represents established contemporary artists working in a variety of mediums including paintings, glass and bronze sculptures, pottery and jewelry. The gallery is eclectic in its approach, yet maintains a special focus on regional, Western, Native American and studio glass art. Among the celebrated artists they represent are Preston Singletary, Erin Currier, Jim Vogel, Billy Schenck, Dan Dailey and Sharon Meyer.
Blue Rain Gallery, Girl in Red, cast glass, stoneware and gemstones, 23½ x 12 x 8", by Vivian Wang.
Blue Rain Gallery, In his Father’s Shoes, oil on canvas panel with wood and metal frame, 69½ x 47½", by Jim Vogel.
The gallery’s upcoming shows feature Andrea Peterson from May 12 through May 27; and Matthew Sievers from May 26 to June 10. Visit their website for a full list of the exciting exhibitions they have lined up for the year and beyond.
Blue Rain Gallery proudly celebrates 30 years of business this year and is pleased to announce the recent opening of a second gallery location in Durango, Colorado, where visitors can enjoy a thoughtful curation of artworks that embody the essence and aesthetic of Blue Rain’s flagship gallery in Santa Fe.
Blue Rain Gallery, Being in Tune in ’22, oil on panel, 48 x 48", by Matthew Sievers
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GF Contemporary
707 Canyon Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 983-3707
art@gfcontemporary.com
www.gfcontemporary.com
Located in the iconic arts district on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, GF Contemporary is a fine art gallery that represents both emerging and established artists. Founded in 2009 by Deborah Fritz to focus less on representational art and more on medium-driven process-based art, GF Contemporary keeps their offerings innovative and fresh by constantly bringing in new, exciting artworks. As a result, GF Contemporary caters to a diverse clientele ranging from first-time buyers and new art lovers to seasoned collectors.
An interior view of GF Contemporary.
GF Contemporary, Orange Field, oil on linen, 60 x 70", by Mark Mulhern.
GF Contemporary, Yellow Painting, oil on linen, 54 x 60", by Mark Mulhern.
Former dancer and self-taught painter Gigi Mills references not only the physical world through her figures and interiors but demonstrates a myriad of viewpoints resulting in truly imaginary spaces. Featured here is Mark Mulhern, whose first solo show at the gallery opens May 26, and is considered one of the top figurative artists working today. Mulhern portrays people and everyday objects in their surroundings. Liberated from detail, these paintings expose moments of everyday life that tap into the viewer’s mind. The expressiveness of the figurative works are complemented by the artist’s simplified abstractions of shape, color and containment of light.
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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 a broad spectrum of prominent U.S. and international artists working today in the genres of figurative painting and sculpture, as well as several of America’s foremost landscape painters. EVOKE begins the season with a much anticipated solo exhibition by Soey Milk—Slow Magic—which will be on display from May 26 through June 24. Milk’s work exudes the delicacy, ferocity and mystery of the feminine, inviting us into her womanly world that is at once playful and contemplative.
EVOKE Contemporary, There Came a Day, oil on wood, 21 x 66½", by Irene Hardwicke Olivieri.
Exterior view of EVOKE Contemporary.
In June comes a major group exhibition featuring the creations and words of more than 50 artists featured in the book Art in the Making: Essays by Artists About What They Do. The exhibition will also serve as a book launch and a platform for lectures by participating artists. The gallery notes, “This exhibition includes works by makers working in a wide range of artistic and artisanal fields, offering a glimpse into the personal motivations, methods and reasons that people continue to make artistic things in our modern, technological age.” Art in the Making opens on June 30 and runs through August 19. For details visit www.evokecontemporary.com
EVOKE Contemporary, Walking in Solace, Composition I, linocut, 45¾ x 66½", by David Frazer.
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The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA)
121 Sandoval Street, Suite 302 Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 983-5220
info@swaia.org
www.swaia.org
Each August, an estimated 100,000 people attend the largest juried Native American art show in the world—the Southwestern Association of American Indian Art’s (SWAIA) annual Indian Market.This remarkable event takes place on and around the central plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and sponsors more than 1,000 Native artists from more than 100 tribal communities in North America and Canada.
Kathleen Wall (Jemez Pueblo), center, excitedly enters her ceramic sculpture of two dancing young men with their ghetto blaster, titled Dancing to the Jams, for judging at the 2022 Indian Market.
The Market, which celebrated 100 years in 2022, provides income to artists and their families while serving as a vehicle that connects Native and non-Native worlds through the interactions and shared cultural exchanges it fosters and facilitates.
The vibrancy and excitement of the event can be felt by long term Market-goers, as well as first time attendees. This is especially apparent at SWAIA’s Best of Show Awards Ceremony, which honors Native artists whose careers are often advanced after receiving awards.
Mikala Begoody at Indian Market 2022. Photo: Kitty Leaken for SWAIA ©
At the Market’s preview events, collectors often take notes on artworks they hope to acquire as they compete to be the first in line at an artist’s booth Saturday morning. Some have gone so far as to sleep overnight in an artist’s booth to ensure that they will be able to purchase the piece they want to own.
2022 SWAIA Gala Auction featuring pot by Tomas Tenorio. Photo: Shayla Blatchford for SWAIA ©
Numerous events are held in tandem with the main event throughout Indian Market week, including museum and art gallery openings, a Native American film festival, a trending Native fashion show, dancing, demonstrations and other various shows and auctions.
This year’s Market takes place August 19 and 20.
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Sorrel Sky Gallery
125 W. Palace Avenue Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 501-6555
info@sorrelsky.com
www.sorrelsky.com
The team at Sorrel Sky Gallery believes art matters, and that surrounding ourselves with beautiful things or giving them to others promotes positive feelings and emotions.
Sorrel Sky Gallery, Pegasus, acrylic and oil on canvas, 60 x 46", by Russ Ball.
Sorrel Sky Gallery exterior view.
Sorrel Sky Gallery, Skull Society, oil on canvas, 32 x 24", by Tom Gilleon.
Featuring contemporary and traditional Western and Native American fine art, jewelry, photography, sculpture and more, Sorrel Sky makes finding those beautiful objects a joyful experience. In addition to representing acclaimed artists such as Kevin Red Star, David Yarrow, Star Liana York and former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse, Sorrel Sky welcomed several new artists this past year. Among these are Michael Blessing, Keith Huey, Russ Ball and Tom Gilleon, whose renowned luminescent style and authentic portrayal of Northern Plains tribes have made him one of the most sought-after artists amongst contemporary Western art collectors. With its focus on beauty and lasting connections between artists and art lovers, Sorrel Sky is one of the must-see galleries in historic downtown Santa Fe.
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TOURISM Santa Fe
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
201 W. Marcy Street Santa Fe, NM 87501
(800) 777-2489
www.santafe.org
“The City Different” boasts a colorful art scene that is as diverse as it is captivating. The streets are lined with countless galleries and art studios that showcase the works of local and international artists alike. As you immerse yourself in the art of Santa Fe, you are transported to a world beyond the ordinary—a place where art and imagination converge, creating a world of breathtaking beauty and ethereal wonder.
Two women admiring artwork at the GF Contemporary Gallery.
A woman examining handwoven blankets at Shiprock Santa Fe.
The artists here are not afraid to push the boundaries of their work, experimenting with textures, shapes and materials to create pieces that are both visually stunning and thought-provoking. As you walk through one of the many galleries you’ll be met with a rainbow of hues and a multitude of mediums. Here, every piece is one of a kind and tells a tale of the land and the people who have called it home for centuries. The artists are masters of their craft, weaving together ancient traditions and modern sensibilities to create pieces that are both timeless and innovative.
George Alexander talking about his painting at Ofuskie Studio.
Each piece of art tells a unique story that transports you to a world of wonder. The art scene in Santa Fe offers something for everyone and provides a unique window into the cultural and artistic richness of the region. So come see for yourself all that the City Different has to offer.
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Barbara Meikle Fine Art
236 Delgado Street Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 992-0400
info@meiklefineart.com
www.meiklefineart.com
Barbara Meikle is a New Mexico native and has been showing and selling her work in Santa Fe for over 25 years. She started doing outdoor shows, which lead to a co-op gallery and then her own gallery, which she opened in 2006. Barbara Meikle Fine Art is an oasis of color texture and animal love.
Exterior of Barbara Meikle Fine Art. Photo credit: Simone Silva
Barbara Meikle, Solstice Stare, oil on canvas, 18 x 18"
Barbara Meikle, Santa Fe September, oil on canvas, 40 x 30"
Meikle paints impasto style in oils on canvas and sculpts in bronze. She finishes each sculpture with a unique hot-color patina that directly relates to her painting style and her expressive use of color. For the past 12 years or so, Barbara has focused on raising money for animal rescue—horse and donkey rescue, and the New Mexico Wildlife Center. She loves to have live animal events where the subjects pose for her as she creates a unique painting on the spot. The gallery also sells prints to help benefit rescue centers locally and nationwide.
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John Meister
(505) 235-3213
www.johnmeisterart.com
john@meistergraphics.com
John Meister is known for capturing light and color in his paintings of unique aspects of the natural world. Bringing 23 years of career experience in graphic design and illustration, he splits his art production between his studio and painting in plein air. He considers the New Mexico outdoors the perfect “classroom” for the artist.
Poppy Face, oil, 24 x 24"
“The term ‘magical realism’ had to be created for New Mexico,” Meister reflects. “Living here, I appreciate the aesthetic of life in all its forms, and I gravitate toward intimate views of nature and the structure of things. Life must do a little something extra to thrive here, and sometimes it displays great beauty in the process. I strive to capture that.”
Different Lifetimes, oil, 16 x 12"
Meister divides his time between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Considering himself an “art ambassador” to visitors and locals alike, he often demo-paints in front of Santa Fe’s Manitou Galleries where his art is represented. —
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