A Must-See Indigenous Astronomy Exhibition at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture
Discover Makowa: Indigenous Sky Stories Come to Life in Santa Fe
The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture is proud to announce Makowa: The Worlds Above Us, an immersive exhibition exploring Indigenous relationships with the sky, on view at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe from June 2, 2025, through September 2026.
“This exhibition is about observation and connection,” said Marlon Magdalena (Jemez Pueblo), co-curator. “It’s a chance to see the sky through Indigenous eyes and recognize how our stories and sciences speak to one another.”
From radio astronomy to solstice calendars, Indigenous peoples have long looked to the sky for timing, meaning and beauty. Makowa: The Worlds Above Us invites visitors to explore the sky through multiple lenses, blending scientific discovery with cultural storytelling. The exhibition takes an expansive view of the sky, encompassing constellations, birds, eclipses, clouds, astronauts and more. By juxtaposing artistic renderings of celestial events with cutting-edge telescopic imaging, Makowa connects the ancient and the modern.
“For Indigenous peoples of the Southwest, observing the sky brings joy, information and a sense of connection,” said Elisabeth Stone, co-curator of the exhibition. “This exhibition invites everyone to participate in a long lineage of observers who have made sense of the worlds above us.” Throughout the exhibit, visitors are encouraged to look closely and consider how deep observation shapes the knowledge held by religious practitioners, scientists, farmers, artists and community members.
Night photography, pottery, textiles, interviews and hands-on activities create an interactive, family-friendly museum experience. A small planetarium installation will allow visitors to immerse themselves in a changing sky during special programs. Interviews will highlight a range of Indigenous astrophysicists, skywatchers and artists.
The exhibition poses the questions: What do you see? What are the stories? What are the sciences? Through these lenses, traditional ecological knowledge, storytelling, art, physics and meaning come into conversation. Visitors are invited to find their own answers in the worlds above us—making Makowa a must-see addition to your list of things to do in Santa Fe.
About the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture is a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, under the leadership of the Board of Regents for the Museum of New Mexico. Programs and exhibits are generously supported by the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and our donors. The mission of the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology is to serve as a center of stewardship, knowledge, and understanding of the artistic, cultural, and intellectual achievements of the diverse peoples of the Native Southwest.
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Adapted from a New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs press release. Photo courtesy the National Park Service.
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