Santa Fe is springing to life with outdoor events, exhibits and more this spring. Included in those events is a milestone for the Lensic Performing Arts Center, which will be celebrating the anniversary of its Art Deco theater and its modern reincarnation as a premier performance venue; The Native Treasures Indian Art Festival, which returns with a show and sale by more than 200 Native artists; and the Santa Fe Studio Tour, featuring visits with 38 artist’s studios for an inside look at their creative processes.
While every day might be an art day in Santa Fe, Fridays remain special. The West Palace Arts District holds a First Friday Art Walk through a number of participating galleries on the first Friday of every month on Palace Avenue in downtown Santa Fe, and the Santa Fe Railyard galleries hold a Last Friday Art Walk on the final Friday of each month. All events are free.
Below is a sampling of shows, events and exhibits coming up in Santa Fe this spring and summer.
May 15
Santa Fe’s 26th Annual Century Ride offers 100 miles of history starting and ending in Santa Fe. There will also be 25-, 50- and 75-mile rides as well, plus a “Half-Century Loop.”
www.santafecentury.com
May 28-29
Native Treasures Indian Arts Festival, presented by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, features more than 200 established masters and emerging Native American artists who are specially invited by the museum to represent the best and brightest of the Indian art world. The festival will take place at the Santa Fe Convention Center, and admission for Saturday is $5 while Sunday is free.
www.nativetreasuressantafe.org
June 4-5
The 8th Annual East Mountain Fiber Farm & Studio Tour will be taking place in rural Santa Fe County. Fiber artists open their studios and farmers open their pens to visitors who can mingle with the alpacas, sheep, camels, angora goats, llamas and angora rabbits. Free and open to the public.
www.newmexico.org/calendar
June 18
“Opening of Home Lands: How Women Made the West” premieres at the New Mexico History Museum. An extensive show including artifacts, art and more than 200 objects spanning 1,200 years.
www.nmhistorymuseum.org
June 17-19
The Santa Fe Studio Tour, featuring 38 individual artist’s studios in and around Santa Fe, is free and open to the public.
www.showcaseofthearts.com
July 7-10
Art Santa Fe returns to the Santa Fe Community Convention Center for its 11th annual international art fair. A total experience that includes a mix of outstanding contemporary galleries from around the world, cutting-edge art installations, emerging artists and dealers, an opening night Vernissage and an always compelling feature lecture.
www.artsantafe.com
July 8-10
The International Folk Art Market is the largest international folk art market in the world. The market provides the chance to meet and shop 150 of the world’s finest artists while helping preserve critical cultural traditions and support the artist’s communities. Exotic food and live entertainment add to the global experience. The market will take place on Museum Hill.
www.folkartmarket.org
July 30-31
Traditional Spanish Market is one of the summer’s most popular annual events, celebrating the rich Hispanic heritage of Northern New Mexico. The market includes handmade traditional, Spanish Colonial arts created by more than 200 local and regional artists in addition to continuous live music and dance, art demonstrations and regional foods, all taking place on the Santa Fe Plaza.
www.spanishcolonial.org
Aug. 4-7
SOFA West: Santa Fe & The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art. Prominent international galleries showcase the rich visual heritage of the decorative arts at the third annual SOFA West show. In addition, a second art fair — The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art — will take place under the same roof, featuring galleries presenting self-taught art, art brut, non-traditional art, outsider and visionary art. Plus a lecture series, special exhibits and events. The show will take place at the Santa Fe Convention Center.
www.sofaexpo.com
Aug. 20-21
At the Santa Fe Indian Market 2011, more than 1,000 of the most gifted Native American artists from across North America will showcase their work in this year’s 90th annual market. Time-honored forms, innovative contemporary art, fashion, music, dance and food are all part of the largest Native American art show and sale in the world. The show and sale take place over the weekend but the week prior is filled with activity including the Best of Show Ceremony and Luncheon and numerous events at galleries and other locations around town. The market will take place on the Santa Fe Plaza and side streets.
www.swaia.org
The Details
Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureauwww.santafe.org
