Summer Museum Mayhem

Summer shows from some of Santa Fe’s most loved institutions

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Some of you reading this will no-doubt recall a time not that long ago when traipsing through the doors of a museum was as natural and common an experience as doing almost anything else, and the time spent outside of Santa Fe’s monuments to the arts has surely stung. As summer ramps up, so too do the cultural offerings. Behold! A smattering of intriguing, excellent or otherwise worthwhile events opening or already running over the next few months (or years). This is just the beginning, though, and we expect more exhibits and events to pop up as health orders evolve.

Museum of International Folk Art

706 Camino Lejo, 476-1200; internationalfolkart.org

#mask: Creative Responses to the Global Pandemic

After the last year, if we were going to make one of those super-cool word clouds about most-used language during the COVID-19 pandemic, “mask” would almost certainly be the largest element. Somehow, wearing a piece of fabric to protect ourselves and others became a hot-button issue. Setting aside how ridiculous that sounds, the artists of the world stepped up to put their own spins on the coverings, and the Museum of International Folk Art turned that idea in to a show. Looking at everything from santeros and photography to fashion, plague doctors and all points between, the show’s timeline traces masks as far back as the 1300s and was curated by a MOIFA team, including Nicolasa Chávez, curator of Latino, Hispanic & Spanish Colonial Collections who says in a press release that “This exhibition is a fabulous showcase of the endurance of the human spirit.”

Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian

704 Camino Lejo, 982-4636, wheelwright.org

Shonto Begay: Eyes of the World; Through Oct. 3

The celebrated Diné impressionist comes to the Wheelwright after an already strong string of exhibits (we especially loved Resilience: Humor in Native American Art) with an autobiographical series based in a connection to the land, environmental awareness and personal histories. We’ve seen press for this show go national, which makes it all the more vital you locals check it out before the nerds from neighboring states descend.

Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

710 Camino Lejo, 476-1269, indianartsandculture.org

Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass; Through Sept. 5

When 33 Native glassmakers come together in one show so massive it required the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture to build an addition to its already impressive space, you know it’s going to be magic. Glass is one of the most fascinating mediums around, from its humble beginnings a bazillion years ago to the weird Venetian death grip on mirrors (Google it, it’s amazing) to the proud and gorgeous contributions of our Indigenous siblings spanning back further than anyone knows and maintaining a presence today. Curator Letitia Chambers, formerly CEO of the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, is behind one of the most promising shows of summer, and with names like Dale Chihuly, Jody Naranjo, Preston Singletary, Dan Friday and oh-so-many more, you simply cannot miss this event.

New Mexico Museum of Art

107 W Palace Ave.,476-5072, nmartmuseum.org

Alcoves 20/20#4; Through June 27

The museum’s ongoing Alcoves series in its Goodwin Gallery was shortened by the pandemic, but thusly extended til the later part of June. Find Chemehuevi photog Cara Romero absolutely killing it like always, plus Abuquerque printmaker and painter Karsten Creightney and sometimes-SFR contributor JC Gonzo’s Polaroid shots.

Gustave Baumann—Go West Said a Small Voice Through Feb. 13

A look at Baumann’s landscapes and further works inspired during and after his arrival in New Mexico circa 1918. Find also works by Baumann colleagues Marsden Hartley, Ansel Adams and John Sloan, plus more contemporary artists who, in turn, found themselves inspired by Baumann’s iconic efforts and wanted to keep the party going. Opens Aug. 14.

SITE Santa Fe

1606 Paseo de Peralta, 989-1199, sitesantafe.org

Mary Weatherford: Canyon - Daisy - Eden; Through Sept. 5

Who doesn’t love seeing another exhibit from a still-alive artist, particularly in Santa Fe’s most cutting-edge institution in the Santa Fe Railyard? In this instance, Mary Weatherford is that artist, and SITE has gathered quite the retrospective from her decades of output. Guest curator Bill Arning’s traveling show will only be in Santa Fe a short time, and someplace between the gestural painting, the neon glass and the operatic heroines, you’ll probably wish it just lived here full-time.

Spanish Colonial Arts Society

750 Camino Lejo, 982-2226, spanishcolonial.org

Pueblo-Spanish Revival Style: The Director’s Residence and the Architecture of John Gaw Meem; Ongoing

With its newly renovated space on Museum Hill and an in-person 2021 Traditional Spanish Market in the works, the Spanish Colonial Arts Society opens a long-term exhibit on just why all the architecture in Santa Fe seems to have a uniform aesthetic and what that has to do with John Gaw Meem. It’ll be historic! Opens July 1.

El Rancho de las Golondrinas

334 Los Pinos Road, 471-2261, golondrinas.org

27th Annual Santa Fe Wine Fesitval; August 14 and 15

OK, so obviously this isn’t an exhibit, but since El Rancho de las Golondrinas is known as a living history museum, anything that happens within its sprawling campus just outside town can be included in a museum rundown. And this is a good one—because it’s all about wine. Well, and vendors like By George CBD, Le Paris French Bakery, Santa Fe Honey Salon and Tea and more, plus food from Tres Colores, Jambo Hapa, Bruno’s Pizza and others. Go safely, please.