History, Arts, & Culture

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Discover Santa Fe...A rich and complex past coalesces with one of the world's top arts destinations

With a fossil record that dates back to the Triassic period, and a human record predating 900 A.D, there's nothing bite-sized about Santa Fe history. Though it's tough to abbreviate such a rich and complex past, I have rummaged through time to post a brief-ish trek, beginning just prior to the arrival of the Spanish and leading up to the birth of the state.

1050-1607: Native Americans occupied the region. A small group of village dwellings were located around what is now known as the Historic Plaza area. The village was then known as 'Ogap'oge, said to mean Olivella Water Place. Olivella is a shell originating in Mexico and the Gulf of California. It was traded among the ancient Native tribes and eventually found its way to New Mexico. It was used primarily for ornamentation in jewelry and crafts.

By Book or By Crook

Independent, locally-owned bookstores are fast becoming a rarity in the U.S. So much so that there are tour operators organizing trips to some of the nation's favorites. And Santa Fe boasts one of the best in Collected Works Bookstore and Coffeehouse.

Since 1986, Collected Works has been Santa Fe's community hub for the written and spoken word. Owners Dorothy Massey and her daughter Mary Wolf have poured their hearts into making Collected Works a local favorite. With an events calendar that a performing arts space would be proud of, Collected Works hosts poetry readings, music and meet-the-author events and book signi

San Miguel Chapel - History & Community

San Miguel Chapel is known as the oldest sanctified church in the United States. It is a much-loved, iconic landmark dating back to 1610. The chapel sits on the site of an ancient kiva that was sacred to the original Native American inhabitants, and which dates back to the 1300s.

Franciscan priests directed the construction of the chapel, which was built by indigenous Mexican Tlaxcalans, who arrived with the Spanish settlers led by Don Juan Oñate around 1598. It was then known as La Hermita de San Miguel (Shrine of Saint Michael).

San Miguel Chapel view from Old Santa Fe Trail. Photo 2019 courte

Allan Houser-The Making of a Legend

Allan Houser is known world-wide as one of the most important American artists of the 20th Century, but he experienced a winding road to the status of legendary art icon. Given the dramatic impact of his art and its continued status even 30 years after his death, you might rightly expect that his art was his only means of support for the better part of his life. But he had to take various jobs to pay the way, including construction, handyman work and his favorite, teaching. In truth, it wasn't until much later in his life that he felt ready to "retire" and concentrate solely on his art.

Allan Houser workin

A Colorful Passion - Barbara Meikle Fine Art

Some of us spend our entire lives in search of our passion, that thing we can enjoy obsessing over that sustains us with its rewards and a unique sense of gratification. Since the age of three, when she drew her first horse image, native New Mexican Barbara Meikle has known what fuels her fire, and her works of art demonstrate it beautifully. She never lost sight of her goal to be an artist. Since her first display of work in a gallery a little over thirteen years ago, she has gathered a worldwide following of clients and collectors of her unique works. Now she has her own gallery on Delgado Street, just off historic Canyon Road.

Native Peoples' Traditional Dress at Indian Market

One of my favorite highlights of the SWAIA Annual Indian Market is the Native Peoples' Traditional Clothing Competition. The intricate work involved in these pieces represents the history, traditions and cultures of a variety of Native tribes. SWAIA's Indian Market brings Native Peoples together from around the United States and Canada. As so many tribes converge, it's a wonderful opportunity to see the styles, and traditional, ceremonial regalia as they compete for the best in their category.

It is not always easy to get up close to photograph, and ceremonial events at the individual pueblos don't usually permit photography, so I'm glad I was able to capture a few images of the beautiful clothing that is an integral part of the time-honored traditions of the Native Peoples.

I've compiled some images and labeled them where I cou

Five Days in Santa Fe for Art & Food Lovers!

UPDATED MAY 2025

First things first, you’ll want a map to orient you to the area. Send me an email with your name and U.S mailing address to [email protected] and I will send you the best one for free. The Santa Fe Selection Mini Guide Maps piece offers three easy reference maps with ideas on where to eat, shop, play and more in Santa Fe & surrounding areas.

Santa Fe is one of the to

Three Days In Santa Fe - Explore History, Food Culture, Art, and the Great Outdoors

UPDATED MAY 2025

With so many options of things to do, places to eat, stay and play in Santa Fe, travelers often ask me for some itinerary ideas to help them make the most of their often limited time here. Three days is a very popular vacation duration for many travelers. I've put together a sample itinerary for three days in Santa Fe to help you get an idea of the broad scope of things to do here. This particular itinerary offers a variety of interests from history, food culture, and art to outdoor adventures. If your tastes vary, you can also reference

Santa Fe Art Classes- Immersive Experiences

If you really want to get away from it all, unplug, relax and immerse yourself in something beautiful, I highly recommend ...

Paseo Pottery - Ceramics Classes

Playing in mud and clay is just pure fun for kids of all ages. You don’t need any previous experience or developed skills to produce work that is unique and satisfying. Even those who suffer from 'art anxiety' enjoy connecting with their inner artist with pottery.

For 30 years, Paseo Pottery has been a favorite experience for anyone wishing to explore their creativity. Try a pottery wheel as well as many other methods for clay creations. Check their website for the latest offerings in classes. And their studio gallery is an ideal place to find unique ceramic gifts, if you choose not to make your own.

Loretto Chapel – Many Miracles on the Old Santa Fe Trail

The Loretto Chapel, also known as Our Lady of Light, is well known for its “miraculous staircase,” but as I looked into its history in more detail, I noticed quite a few miracles that we can thank for its existence.

The Loretto Chapel ranks on a par with the St. Francis Cathedral as one of the City Different’s most beautiful structures steeped in Santa Fe history. French Archbishop Jean Baptiste Lamy was appointed the Santa Fe territory in 1850. He made the arduous journey from Paris to Santa Fe and was confronted by considerable resistance from the incumbent clergy in the area.

Native American Pottery in the Making with Chris Youngblood

Chris Youngblood is an amazing, Native American potter from Santa Clara pueblo. At 27 years of age, his talent and exquisite creations are well on the road to establishing him among the top Native potters of his generation.

Chris specializes in carved black, or red pottery with alternating surface elements that are either stone polished or matte, or finished with micaceous slip.

Please enjoy this photo essay on the production of one of Chris' uniquely beautiful pots - a lidded, carved, black jar with koi.

Chris Youngblood Pottery Creation -

Chris is from a family of famous potters whose names are c

Taos Pueblo: A Place to Remember

A visit to Taos Pueblo is one of those quintessential New Mexico experiences that every traveler and local must have.

Constructed between 1000 and 1450 A.D., it is one of the most significant cultural and historical landmarks in the world. Taos Pueblo is a veritable 1000-year-old history book that remains almost as untouched by modernization today as it was in 1540, when the Spanish came upon the village and believed it to be one of the "Seven Cities of Gold." Still without electricity or plumbing within its walls, the ancient village rises out of the earth and sits proudly afoot the sentry of Taos Mountain.

From The Heart - Native American Pueblo Pottery

From earth to art, a world of tradition, culture and reverence lies at the heart of Native American pueblo pottery. Its history dates back 7500 years.

Circa 1300s -Native American cooking jar from the Santa Fe area, possibly Arroyo Hondo Pueblo.

Today, a number of Native potters are known around the world for their exquisite forms and unsurpassed craftsmanship. Some of the better known names include Maria Martinez, Margaret Tafoya, Popovi Da and Tony Da, to mention a few.

The Deep Roots of New Mexico Wine Country

UPDATED MAY 2025 New Mexico was the first wine country in the United States, dating back to the early 1600s. The first vines were planted in Senecu, a Piro Indian Pueblo in the southern part of the state, by Fray García de Zúñiga, a Franciscan, and a Capuchín monk named Antonio de Arteaga. Sacramental wines were vital to the missionaries, and the vines they brought from Europe, known as "mission grape" or Vitis Vinifera, are still grown here today. By the mid-1800s, the fertile Rio Grande Valley, from Bernalillo to Socorro and Las Cruces to El Paso, had over 3100 acres of vineyards and had become the nation's largest wine producer, to the tune of almost a million gallons annually.

Pueblo revolts, harsh winters and frequent Rio Grande floods of

The Faces of Folk Art - Santa Fe Folk Art Market

Each year, the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market brings to town an amazing display of folk art from around the world. As many as 143 display booths cover Milner Plaza at Museum Hill. Thousands of visitors flock to explore the wonderful art from continents near and far.

Santa Fe International Folk Art Market Entrance, 2015.

The Cutting Edge in Santa Fe

For more than thirty-six years, Alan Van Pelt's specialty cutlery shop has literally been the source for the best cutting edge in Santa Fe. Tucked alongside the famous La Fonda Hotel, at the southeast corner of the historic Plaza, Cutlery of Santa Fe, with its creaking wooden floor and large glass displays, houses some of the rarest, extraordinary custom-crafted knives and utensils from around the world - most not easily found in bigger cities. Implements of myriad sizes, uses, and styles for every need, at prices for every budget, line this tiny store. But more than just a cutting edge, these tools offer insight into a wealth of history and artistry that I never expected to discover.

Some of the most elegant works include woolly mammoth tooth, obsidian, sapphires, rubies, and turquoise - just a few of the unique elements that adorn the steel that has its own beautiful design and interesting history. Damascus steel originated with sword-makers in Southern Asia and the Middle

Allan Houser: Farewell to Footprints Ceremony

Footprints: The Inspiration and Influence of Allan Houser. For almost a year, seven Allan Houser bronze sculptures have graced Milner Plaza at Museum Hill in the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture's Footprints exhibit. The outdoor sculpture installation was in honor of the 100th year of Allan Houser's birth, and the remarkable influence he had on Native American art, artists, and the art world at large.

A Salute to El Día de Los Muertos and Halloween

According to the calendar, October 31st through November 2nd sees a convergence of cultures in the Halloween and Día de Los Muertos celebrations. Over time, as more and more cultures have adopted variants of these two festivals, a few distinctions about their origins and meanings have become a little blurred.

Truchas Peaks and Cemetery by Maria Johnson

The Mexican El Día de los Muertos celebrations are said to trace back to the Aztecs as many as 3,000 years ago. From October 31st through November 2nd, the dearly departed are welcomed back for a visit to the hearts, minds and homes of the livi

Indian Detours Then and Now

Indian Detours were the idea of the legendary Fred Harvey Company, renowned in part for their chain of ‘eating houses’ hosted by Harvey Girls along the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad between 1876 and 1968. In response to economic hardships of the early 1900s, the Harvey Company developed a unique collaboration with the Native American pueblos throughout the Southwest that permanently changed the traveler's experience.

Indian Detour Brochure cover of Taos Pueblo

Initially, Harvey’s famous eating houses helped boost rail travel in the late 1800s. His inspiration came from working as a mobile mail clerk on the

Tour the World at The International Folk Art Market – Santa Fe

Intended as a one-time event in 2004, the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe is now the largest of its kind in the world. Now, this highly anticipated extravaganza is held every year, usually the second weekend in July, in Santa Fe. Since it began, as many as 650 master folk artists from as many as 80 countries across six continents have participated. I hope you enjoy the following visual record I took at the 2013 market. I tried to make note of everyone's name and country, but I admit I couldn't keep track of them all.

It is a global event in many ways. Where else can you find so

A Glimpse into Santa Fe's Annual Spanish Market

The Annual Traditional Spanish Market is the oldest juried Spanish Market in the United States. The celebration includes festivals, music and cultural events centered around Santa Fe's historic Plaza. Festivities culminate with the largest display of art from Hispanic artisans of New Mexico and Southern Colorado.

The Santa Fe Plaza and surrounding streets are lined with the white tent stalls and filled with excellent works of traditional art including retablos, jewelry, furniture, carvings, weavings and pottery, to mention a few. Regional foods, live music, dancing, and art demonstrations are all part of the celebration of thi

The Maria Martinez Living Heritage at San Ildefonso Pueblo

San Ildefonso Pueblo is a short and easy 25-30 minute drive north of Santa Fe. The Native Tewa name of Po Woh Geh Oweenge means "Where the Water Cuts Through." It is home to many Native American artists but the names of Maria and Julian Martinez are two of the most famous.

San Ildefonso Historic Marker and Black Mesa

Maria Montoya Martinez and Julian Martinez were two of the most highly acclaimed potters in the Southwest. They became known throughout the world for their highly polished, black on black and polychrome ceramics.

Ghost Ranch Revisited

Although Ghost Ranch has been open to the public as a source of recreation for local communities and travelers since the early1900s, there are still many people, both locals and visitors, who don't know about all it has to offer. It has been known as Georgia O'Keeffe Country for decades, but the beloved artist owned only a tiny portion of the vast 21,000 acres of varied and beautiful terrain. Its colorful Chinle rock formations and mesas are rich in history, dating back to the Triassic period (210 million years ago) when dinosaurs roamed the earth and New Mexico, along with the rest of the U.S., was located near the equator. The sweltering, humid, swampy landscape was home to the Coelophysis (Seel-oh-FY-sis) and other species of small carnivorous dinosaur.

Leibovitz: Sharp Shootin' Annie - Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

On February 15, 2013, the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum launched the Annie Leibovitz exhibit, Pilgrimage (organized by the Smithsonian Art Museum). I was lucky enough to be able to attend a preview of the exhibit the day before it opened. We were led through the rooms of beautiful images and given some insights into the ideas and personal commentary behind the artist's choices that comprise the collection. Jerry, the docent who led us, did a great job of conveying the information that he had been given only hours previously by the artist herself.

About her inspiration and motivation for the project, Leibovitz says, “From the beginning, when I was watching my children stand mesmerized over Niagara Falls, this project was an exercise in renewal. It taught me to see again.”

Against The Odds: The Birth of A National Treasure

Recently, I had the pleasure of spending some quality time with the knowledgeable staff at The Case Trading Post Museum Store, located within the oldest independent, non-profit museum in New Mexico, The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian.There is an interesting history behind the creation of the museum, and its collection.

In 1921, Mary Cabot Wheelwright, a Boston native, met Hastiin Klah, a well respected Navajo religious leader, "singer," "medicine man." They were introduced by Arthur and Frances Newcomb who operated a Trading Post on the Navajo Reservation near Klah's home.

It's Time To Hit The High Road To Taos Again

It's late May and the weather is getting steadily warmer, trees are leafing their spring green, and it's time to hit the High Road to Taos, stay overnight, take the Low road (Route 68) on the way back to Santa Fe, and discover a few great historical and cultural treasures along the way. Many areas of New Mexico offer authentic experiences for us avid time travelers who wish to drop the shackles of high-speed everything and remember a simpler time and lifestyle. The Scenic High Road is one of the best!

Only a thirty minute easy drive from Santa Fe (along the 285, to the scenic 503, and left on route 98),

Taos Pueblo Ceremony Dates

For a comprehensive calendar of all 19 Northern New Mexico Pueblo Feast Days and Ceremony dates go to: http://santafeselection.com/visitor-info/pueblo-feast-days-calendar

TAOS PUEBLO

For centuries Native American pueblo ceremonies and feast days have been taking place all over Northern New Mexico. The pueblo councils generously allow outsiders to visit these spectacular events.

If you're visiting anywher

The High Road to Taos Part 1: Chimayó

Taking the High Road to Taos is a beautiful journey that can spin by in just under two hours. Or you can give yourself the luxury of taking 4-5 hours, all day, or even multiple days and really gain insight into northern New Mexico, its unique history, culture and people. I've decided to make this a 3 maybe 4 part journey and try to show you just a few of the beautiful sights that await you. If you like driving the open road and being surrounded by mountain ranges, fascinating light changes, tiny historic Spanish land grant villages, and art communities, then this trip is for you. Even in the winter the scenery is enchanting.

Only twenty minutes north of Santa Fe's downtown along Hwy

High Road to Taos Part 2: Truchas

Daylight is fading fast and you want to make it to Truchas along the High Road to Taos before sunset so you set off from Chimayó, along Route 76 toward Taos. En route is Centinela Traditional Arts Weaving Gallery, El Meson de la Centinela Inn, Oviedo Carvings & Bronze Foundry & Ranch.

As the road rises out of the valley, you're greeted by the snow-covered peaks of Truchas; tinted pink in the setting sun. And spread across the ridge before you, along the Quemado Valley is the tiny, historic village of Cordova.

The village was originally named Pueblo Quemado, after an ancient Indian pueblo, which had been destroyed by fire. After being the target of multiple Indian attacks, the Spanish set

Santa Fe Selection Travel Guide

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