Santa Fe's Summer of Color: Vibrant Exhibitions and Events at Museum Hill
Envision the vivid palette of Santa Fe: turquoise in artisanal jewelry, the green of piñon and juniper trees, or the fiery reds and oranges of sunset skies. This summer, immerse yourself in the "Summer of Color," featuring captivating color-themed exhibitions at Museum Hill's world-class cultural institutions.
Open your mind to the colors of Santa Fe.
A Tour Through Turquoise: A Cultural Gem
At the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the exhibition "Turquoise, Water and Sky" traces the storied history of this revered stone. Linked to energy, creativity, and balance, turquoise was mined across the Southwest, offering a spectrum of hues and applications. Discover its vital role in Native American traditions through exquisite jewelry and ornate objects. Enhance your visit with the museum's gallery showcasing painter David Bradley's witty, politically charged works, where turquoise makes a striking appearance.
A ketoh, a bow guard worn to protect the archer from the bowstring, also serves as a beautiful bejeweled ornament. (Photo Credit: Kitty Leaken, Courtesy of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology)
Indigo Blues: A Legacy of Peace and Craftsmanship
The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art explores indigo with "Blue on Blue: Indigo and Cobalt in New Spain," opening May 8th. This exhibit reveals the historical and artistic significance of blue dyes and pigments in New Mexico's colonial period and their enduring presence in traditional crafts. Associated with peace and stability, these serene blues grace colcha textiles and carved santos, perfect for previewing at July's annual Spanish Market.
Santa Fe’s artistic legacy of blues will inspire repeat visits.
Shining Silver: Honoring Southwestern Jewelry Traditions
The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian spotlights silver with the opening of its new Center for the Study of Southwestern Jewelry, celebrated at a June 6–7 gala. Founded by Mary Cabot Wheelwright and Navajo shaman Hastiin Klah, and designed as a traditional Navajo hogan by artist-architect William Penhallow Henderson, the museum radiates positive energy—mirroring silver's reflective qualities.
Get Ready for Red: The Color That Defined an Era
Folk art enthusiasts will delight in the complementary hues at the Museum of International Folk Art. "The Red That Colored the World," opening May 17th in the Hispanic Heritage Wing, spotlights American Cochineal, the insect yielding prized reds used in 16th- to 19th-century paintings, sculptures, furniture, and textiles. Recognize its bold passion in scarlet serapes and mission church altarpieces.
Visiting the Museum of International Folk Art leads to the heart of folk art.
Global Artistry in Evergreen Splendor
The International Folk Art Market, marking its twelfth year July 10-12, embodies green's essence: growth, freshness, and optimism. Discover indigenous artworks from around the world, supporting artisans and their communities through appreciative sales.
The whole world shows up in Santa Fe at July’s International Folk Art Market! (Photo Credit: Judith Haden, Courtesy of the International Folk Art Alliance)
Orange You Glad You Chose Santa Fe?
Adjacent to the museums, the Santa Fe Botanical Garden bursts with orange in "Monarch—Orange Takes Flight," a container garden with themed plantings open for visitor voting. Known for enthusiasm, creativity, and stimulation, orange sets the stage for five Thursday sunset walks with picnics: May 21, June 18, July 23, August 20, and September 17.
Load Your Palette Downtown
Downtown museums join the festivities. The New Mexico History Museum hosts summer events on adobe architecture's earthy tones. The New Mexico Museum of Art's "Colors of the Southwest" showcases regional light and palette through Taos Society and Cinco Pintores works alongside modern successors. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum delivers iconic vibrancy.
“San Miguel,” this 1941 oil on canvas by Regina Tatum Cooke in the collection of the New Mexico Museum of Art, shows off New Mexico’s unchanging combination of blue sky and adobe.
Experience Santa Fe's Rainbow
From Museum Hill to downtown galleries and stunning sunsets, Santa Fe transforms into a masterpiece of art and nature. Plan your colorful summer escape today!
In Santa Fe, rainbows and sunsets do paint the sky at the same time!
