Ladder Ranch A natural oasis situated by four Rio Grande tributaries, the 156,000-acre Ladder property is home to rich biodiversity. Surrounded by sweeping landscapes, Ladder effortlessly pulls you into the present moment. Meanwhile, petroglyphs, pottery shards, and adobe ruins invite exploration into the mysteries of the past.Armendaris Ranch The 360,000-acre property, nestled in the crimson Chihuahuan desert, embodies the essence of southern New Mexico. A true invitation to adventure, it offers treks through semi-desert landscapes, with possible encounters with bison, pronghorn, and desert bighorn sheep, and access to the Jornada lava flow, home to one of the largest populations of Mexican free-tailed bats in the U.S. Sierra Grande Sierra Grande Resting on mineral-enriched geothermal hot springs, Sierra Grande is a tranquil haven. The serene 17-guest room hotel is ideal for relaxation and rejuvenation, offering holistic wellness services and private indoor and outdoor hot springs that honor the legendary healing traditions first established by the region’s Native Americans.

Our Step-Up campaign officially ended Dec 31, 2024. I want to thank all the members who stepped up their membership giving for us to achieve our membership goal by the end of the calendar year. I also want to thank all our Circles members for their loyal renewal commitments as well. Our membership attention rate currently stands at 94% retention rate, and we are truly humbled by everyone’s support. Read more to see event pictures from the following past two events. November 15 First Look Weaving Meanings First Look: Weaving Meanings We want to thank David Arment and Jim Rimelspach, the David Arment Southern African Collection, who generously assembled and generously donated, IFAF Collection, Museum of International Folk Art. Flickr link from First Look: iNgqikithi yokuPhica / Weaving Meanings: Telephone Wire Art from South Africa December 5, Foundation Holiday Party The evening was a lovely gather of 240+ guests exchanging holiday cheers between members, donors, DCA and Museum Directors. Click here for event pictures from the Foundations Holiday Party.

This month Dr. John Taylor-Montoya hosted a number of tours of the Office of Archaeological Studies for lecture attendees, donors and trustees. Attendees were able see the laboratories first-hand, learning about archaeomagnetic dating and research, plasma-dating, breakthrough super critical fluid applications, osteology, lithics, ethnobotany and education outreach. The tours are always endlessly fascinating and result in new volunteers and donations. The labs are busy, busy these days. The ethnobotany lab, for example, has a one-year Ph.D. tenant from Boston University studying land-use practices of Spaniards form the 18th and 18th centuries. He is also working to organize a comprehensive comparative collection for researchers to use. Thanks to the generosity of donors, we reached our $20,000 fundraising goal for the archaeomagnetic laboratory. Laboratory Supervisor, Dr. Shelby jones, will apply these funds to the maintenance and installation of new equipment. The laboratory is poised to be the premier archaeomagnetic dating and research laboratory in North America when installation is complete, housing the largest repository of archaeomagnetic samples in the world. That’s right – the world. Right here in New Mexico. MNMF should be very proud to support this important collection and research. The OAS’s education outreach programs are flourishing thanks to the talents of the new Educational Coordinator, Ziggy Prothro. Ziggy is a one-woman road show, taking OAS educational programming all over the state of New Mexico. Her goal is to reach every district in the state within her first year. Ziggy is visiting public schools, primarily middle school, tribal schools, libraries, festivals, juvenile detention centers and more to build and share archaeological curriculum. Currently, there are more requests from teachers for her to visit than she can accommodate, so she has had to create a waitlist. These are great problems to have and will hopefully result in more staff support for archaeological education. We are currently aiming to raise $25,000 to support education outreach costs, including purchasing sand art boards and clay for student curriculum. Click here if you would like to make a gift to directly support these purchases.

The Museum of New Mexico Foundation held a private reception to welcome Danyelle Means (Oglala Lakota) in her new role as Executive Director. Danyelle was welcomed by former Executive Director, Della Warrior (Otoe-Missouria), with an honoring song and ceremony. Della and former Deputy Director, Matthew Martinez (Ohkay Owingeh), passed along a special eagle staff to Danyelle to give her strength in leadership. It was a very special event for all in attendance. MNMF is busy helping to raise funds for the upcoming Makowa: The Worlds Above Us exhibition opening in June 2025. The exhibit will explore the connections between Indigenous communities and the sky, showcasing traditional and contemporary perspectives through art, science, and storytelling. The goal is to raise $100,000 for exhibition costs and an additional $100,000 to hire a full-time Makowa educator to travel the state delivering exhibition-inspired curriculum for one year. To help achieve this goal, MNMF held a special donor luncheon on November 19th. MNMF is also hosting a cultivation event in Los Alamos on Tuesday, December 3rd at PEEC. The event will include a presentation in the planetarium by a NASA Outreach Director for the PUNHC mission. Click here to R.S.V.P. if you would like to attend! As we approach the holidays, we are hoping to raise $70,000 for educational programming this fiscal year, including $10,000 for a school bus fund. Click this link to learn about the incredible education programs at MIAC and how donations directly support their important work.

We had a fantastic series of exclusive member events for the opening of Wired last month. More than 300 members attended our Member Preview and enjoyed this magnificent new exhibition at the Museum of International Folk Art. We hope you are able to visit this exhibit and the numerous others across our four other museums in Santa Fe, for free with your membership. I hope you had a chance to shop during our Members-Only Double Discount Sale Thanksgiving week. Thank you for your support and I hope you found may unique treasures either for yourself or as a gift. Also, during this holiday season, we encourage you to consider giving a gift of membership. Please stop by any Museum Shop to purchase or you can do so online at museumfoundation.org/gift-membership. Lastly, we have a couple events taking place this December for members. The first is the Foundation’s Holiday Party at the Farmers’ Market Pavilion on Thursday, December 5. Details here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/musuem-of-new-mexico-foundation-holiday-party-tickets-1092771963359?aff=oddtdtcreator We then will host a Conversation with the Curator Tour on December 10 with Christian Waguespack at the New Mexico Museum of Art https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conversation-with-the-curator-saints-santos-tickets-1089166970729?aff=oddtdtcreator We hope to see you at the museums this holiday season!

Make a Gift with Appreciated Stock this Holiday Season Thinking about making a gift of stock or bonds this holiday season? This type of donation can be highly beneficial for you as well as provide valuable support for the arts and cultural resources in our community. By donating appreciated stocks, you can avoid capital gains tax and receive a charitable income tax deduction, allowing you to make a greater impact. Giving is simple, too. Click here to find out how. John Macukas, Foundation Trustee, and his wife Mary made generous gifts of stock this year to support the History Homecoming at the Palace of the Governors and to fulfill his Circles membership. He stated his reasons why, “We believe that the cultural life of a city is defined in large part by its museums. Through our contributions, we hope to help our museums continue to offer public access to art, education, entertainment, and community interaction. Our museums enrich our daily experience, guide us in our search for beauty, inform our understanding of the world, give form to our ruminations, and help us build more enlightened and meaningful lives.” By electronic transfer – Please contact us for instructions on how you can transfer stock or bonds from your brokerage or investment account to the Museum of New Mexico Foundation to benefit the Foundation and designated to benefit the institutions we support. By certified mail – If you hold securities in certificate form, you will need to mail two envelopes separately to complete your gift. In the first envelope, place the unsigned stock certificate(s). In the other envelope, include a signed stock power for each certificate. You may obtain this power from your broker or bank. Please remember to use certified mail. Stock transfer notification form If you plan to transfer a gift of stock to our organization, please fill out our notification form. Donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift to the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and support the arts and cultural resources in our community you enjoy most. Please note that gifts of stock are valued based on the average of the stock’s high and low prices on the day of the gift, while mutual fund shares are valued at the closing price that day. If you have any questions about gifts of stocks and bonds, please contact [email protected] or call 505.216.0829.

An Enduring Spirit: Ukrainian Voices Through Art and Film “Rule of Two Walls,” Bohdana Davydiuk & Lyana Mytsko As part of our ongoing programming for Amidst Cries from the Rubble: Art of Loss and Resilience from Ukraine, the Museum, in partnership with the Center for Contemporary Arts, presents a compelling five-part film series that explores the poignant themes presented in the exhibition. This film series offers a cinematic journey through the heart of Ukraine’s struggle, echoing the exhibition’s themes of loss, resilience, and the enduring spirit of human creativity. Each film provides a unique perspective on the lives affected by the ongoing conflict, highlighting personal stories of hope, defiance, and the quest for solace amidst destruction. The remaining screenings will take place on Friday, December 6 and 13 in the Vernick Auditorium at the Museum of International Folk Art. Due to a weather cancellation, we will be holding a special double feature on Friday, December 13. Please see the museum’s website for more information. Donor Appreciation Reception As a special preview for an upcoming exhibition, Stories in the Sand: Storytelling, Objects, and “Kastom” in Vanuatu (working title), museum supporters are invited to experience a live demonstration of the storytelling tradition of sand-drawing from the South Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu by Edgar Hinge, educator and cultural advisor at the Vanuatu Cultural Center and National Museum. There will also be an opportunity to meet other cultural advisors visiting from Vanuatu. Museum guide, Edgar Hinge, performs a sand-drawing story at the Vanuatu Cultural Center and National Museum, 2023 Come hear about the difference your support has made this past year and what’s on the horizon for MOIFA. Enjoy wine, refreshments, specialty piña coladas and island-inspired hors d’oeuvres. Support MOIFA Your generosity enables the museum to continue offering these impactful exhibitions and programs. To learn more about giving options, please contact Laura Sullivan at [email protected] or call 505.216.0829. Thank you for your continued support of MOIFA.

The Circles Travel Program An Art and Architectural Journey through India Interior of Red Fort, Delhi, India Goa, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Ahmedabad, Udaipur and Delhi November 1 to 14, 2025 Exact dates are subject to change until deposits are secured. Jal Mahal (Water Palace). Jaipur, Rajasthan, India As a distinguished member of our Circles program, you are invited to join us for an unparalleled experience in the heart of India—a land where timeless traditions blend seamlessly with visionary modernity. On this journey you’ll explore the rich art, architecture, culture and history of this stunning country. We are honored to have Devendra Contractor, the acclaimed architect for the New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary, as our special guest. A native of India, Devendra will share his extraordinary vision and expertise, offering an exclusive look into his innovative approach to architecture and design. His presence will enrich your journey, providing unique perspectives on the intersection of tradition and modernity. Pricing • USD $13,900** per guest • USD $4,500** single supplement In addition, each person traveling will make a $500 tax-deductible non-refundable contribution to the Foundation. Inclusions • Private transfers between arrival and departure airports and hotels • 15-nights in four- and five-star properties • Air travel within India only • 13 Breakfasts, 13 lunches and 13 dinners • Private transportation throughout the travel program • All special events, visits, admissions and honorariums • Boat ride in Udaipur Hotels • Fort Aguada Beach Resort, Goa • Taj Mahal – Old Wing, Mumbai • Vivanta By Taj, Aurangabad • ITC Narmada,Ahmedabad • Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur • The Imperial, Delhi

Our August Explorers weekend adventure with be at Sierra Grande a Ted Turner Retreat. Our adventures will be the exploration of Ladder Ranch and Armendaris Ranch . Details of this adventure and opportunity to R.S.V.P. will be in your inbox January 2025. Please click here to view our images from Canyon de Chelly 2024.

Eugenie Shonnard: Breaking the Mold March 8 to  August 24, 2025 Though she was a prolific artist and well-esteemed during her lifetime, the life and work of Eugenie Shonnard remains relatively obscure today. Her story has yet to be told in a concise and cohesive way. Eugenie Shonnard: Breaking the Mold will reintroduce the artist and her work to contemporary audiences and to a broader art historical narrative. The catalogue features an essay written by Christian Waguespack, Head of Curatorial Affairs and Curator of 20th Century Art at the New Mexico Museum of Art, which situates the artist and her work within a broader cultural narrative. The publication includes roughly 80 illustrations that trace Shonnard’s career from her early tutelage under Alphonse Mucha and Auguste Rodin to major commissions in the region such as the Taylor Memorial Chapel in Colorado Springs and Santa Fe’s Rosario Chapel.