At the time of writing this blog, we have 10 days to go in October and we need $74,000 in revenue. This is a high goal for us but we are hopeful that our Step-Up mailing will provide the additional revenue support we’re seeking. Also underway are our rejoin and new member campaigns. You may start to see some of our ads promoting membership and gift membership in print and digital media. Speaking of gift memberships, please consider giving the gift of membership this holiday season. For only $100 you’ll give a year of memorable museum experiences at the four state museums in Santa Fe, seven of the eight historic sites statewide and the Office of Archaeological Studies along with 28 other museums in New Mexico and 1,300+ in North America. Visit https://www.museumfoundation.org/gift-membership/ We hosted a Member Morning on October 19 at Coronado Site before the community-wide Fiesta of Cultures. Later this month on Saturday, November 16, we will host a Member Preview for Wired Meanings at the Museum of International Folk Art. I wanted to also let you know about some exciting tech advancements we’ve recently made. The admissions desk teams are now scanning membership cards for entry so we can learn who is visiting our museums and better communicate to members based on their interests. Also new, we’ve installed self-serve member kiosks at the Vladem Contemporary Shop and the New Mexico History Museum Shop. There you can renew, make a gift, submit a customer service inquiry or check your membership status.

A DAF offers a flexible, tax-efficient way to manage your charitable giving. By making a tax-deductible donation to the Museum of New Mexico Foundation, you’ll enjoy benefits like: · An immediate tax deduction. · The ability to avoid capital gains taxes by donating appreciated assets. · Flexibility to decide later which of our four state museums in Santa Fe, eight historic sites statewide, or the Office of Archaeological Studies you’d like to support. · The convenience of managing all your charitable giving in one place. It’s a simple, strategic approach to philanthropy, ensuring your generosity continues to benefit New Mexico’s rich cultural heritage for generations to come. If you are interested in supporting the Museum of New Mexico Foundation through your DAF, we would be happy to discuss the opportunities available. Thank you for your continued dedication to preserving New Mexico’s history and culture.

The Lynn Godfrey Brown Shop at the Museum of International Folk Art has brought a piece of Africa to New Mexico. The Shop is filled with new telephone wire baskets, shirts, totes and more to celebrate the opening of the exhibition, iNgqikithi yokuPhica / Weaving Meanings: Telephone Wire Art from South Africa. Khethayiphi Ndwandwe. Basket(detail), 2003. Telephone wire and steel wire; hard-wire techniqueKwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. David Arment Southern African Collection, Museum of International FolkArt, FA.2024.12.45 We have a number of telephone wire baskets arriving from South Africa from master weavers Nobuhle Maphumulo, Ntombifuthi Magwasa, and Zodwa Sibiya. In addition to these larger art pieces, we will also have smaller baskets, bowls, coasters, ornaments, and vessels for those looking to bring home a splash of color as well as some statements in black and white. The Shop will also feature some telephone wire jewelry, as well as some beaded necklaces and earrings from Zulu. To complement these beautiful works of art, the Shop will also carry socks from AfroPop, a custom designed t-shirt featuring a basket from Zama Khanyile, and the newly revised edition of Wired: Contemporary Zulu Telephone Wire Baskets. An assortment of these items will also be available online at shopmuseum.org. We hope to see you opening weekend.

Revenue General Membership has $232,000 in to date against our end of September goal of $314,000. This is a big revenue month for us where our first series of Step Up mailings and emails will go out along with a mailing and email follow up to dropped members to rejoin. These two campaigns should bring in an additional $40,000 to our regular income expected from renewals. Events Last month members enjoyed an exclusive Member Monday preview of the new Zozobra exhibition at the New Mexico History Museum. This month we will host a fun-filled Member Morning preview hour for the Fiesta of Cultures event at Coronado Historic Site on Saturday October 19. We are also looking at additional programming with the Office of Archaeological Studies and the New Mexico Museum of Art. Looking ahead we have started talks with our museum and historic site partners to build a robust and interesting member event calendar for 2025. We look forward to seeing you at our museums and historic sites soon. Please be sure you’re subscribed to our bi-weekly Member E-News, weekly blog and our Facebook and Instagram pages. Across these platforms, we share all that’s happening for members and the community at the four state museums in Santa Fe, eight historic sites statewide and the Office of Archaeological Studies.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday originating in Mexico and celebrated throughout Latin America honoring the dead with festivals and lively celebrations. The holiday recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience, and on these special days, those that have passed away are awakened from their eternal sleep to celebrate with loved ones. Find colorful additions for your ofrenda or other playful artworks to celebrate this treasured holiday at the Lynn Godfrey Brown Shop at the Museum of International Folk Art. Featured in the shop this month are a variety of skeletons and other Day of the Dead themed items to add to your decor and make your fiesta special. One of our shop favorites are the skeleton scenes by Saul Montesinos. He has been creating Day of the Dead pieces from clay for as long as he can remember, beginning in his father’s workshop and later taking over the family business. His playful artworks feature whimsical scenes with bursts of color that are sure to make you smile. From candleholders, to small skeletons, to larger showpieces, we have a wide array of pieces to choose from. If you are looking for some sweet decorative pieces, we have beautiful candles, paper flowers, and paper mache that will add a pop of color to your fiesta. Traditionally used for celebrations, our floral candles from Oaxaca are so pretty that they can be used as decoration. We also have a wide selection of paper flowers and papel picados, all made by hand by skilled artisans. Inspired by Cartoneria, we also have a wide selection of paper mache sculptures and ornaments that also make wonderful gifts and party favors. Colorful floral taper candle from Oaxaca, Mexico. We also have a few showstopper retablos from reowned retablisto, Claudio Jimenez Quispe. Bursting with vibrant color and action, the figures occupying Claudio’s complex retablos are formed by hand and individually painted, later incorporated together in a large scene. His work is inspired by his cultural heritage, yet portrays universally-recognizable ideas and experiences. Hat Shop retablo by Claudio Jiminez Quispe.

Cartonería Music Series: Mariachi Los Caporales Mariachi-Los-Caporales As part of the museum’s ongoing music series in conjunction with the exhibition La Cartonería Mexicana, the museum will host the mariachi band, Mariachi Los Caporales on Sunday, October 13 for two performances at 1 p.m and 2 p.m. The concerts will be held in the gallery exhibition in the Hispanic Heritage Wing. El Dia de los Muertos The museum will once again offer a community celebration for El Dia de los Muertos on Sunday, October 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will feature an altar installation by local artist, Stephanie Riggs, sugar skull painting, sampling of Pan de Muertos, and dance performances by Los Niños de Santa Fe. New Bilingual Gallery Host Program Infographic-Bilingual-Gallery-Host-1 Three Bilingual Gallery Hosts have completed 15 independent tour spots while connecting with 181 visitors exploring the exhibition La Cartonería Mexicana. This new experimental program will expand access to Spanish-speaking gallery visitors. The program was conceived and spearheaded at MOIFA this past year by Dawn Kaufmann, Education/Docent Coordinator, and made possible through an ongoing partnership with the advanced English as a Second Language (ESL) non-credit program at the Santa Fe Community College. Visit by Contemporary Photographer Marta Syrko Marta Syrko, Ukrainian Photography in the Time of War, 2024, Courtesy of Museum of International Folk Art, Photograph by Cousineau Studios. Ukrainian photographer, Marta Syrko, (b. 1995), traveled from her hometown of Lviv to present two programs related to her recently commissioned series, Wrapping Art—Art of Salvation (2024) currently on view in Amidst Cries from the Rubble. On Saturday, September 14, Syrko held a masterclass for local photographers, including students from New Mexico School for the Arts. And on Sunday, September 15, she gave a public lecture, Ukrainian Photography in the Time of War, where she explored ways in which the war has affected her artistic process, and the physical and emotional transformations brought about by the conflict. 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 laura@museumfoundation.org or call 505.216.0829. Thank you for your continued support of MOIFA.

Saints & Santos: Picturing the Holy in New Spain Symposium Keynote Lecture, October 18, 2024, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Join the New Mexico Museum of Art for a scholarly exploration of the exhibition Saints & Santos: Picturing the Holy in New Spain. The exhibition’s curator, Dr. Cristina Cruz González, will introduce the groundbreaking exhibition by providing a broad historical backdrop to the works on view. The presentation will examine the importance of the Council of Trent and the Congregation of Rites (1588) for the perception and delineation of sanctity in New Spain. https://www.nmartmuseum.org/events/saints-santos-picturing-the-holy-in-new-spain-symposium/ Saints & Santos: Picturing the Holy in New Spain Symposium, October 19, 2024, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Join the New Mexico Museum of Art for a scholarly exploration of the exhibition Saints & Santos: Picturing the Holy in New Spain. This symposium will feature scholars on the topic of how saintly devotions traveled to our region, how they transformed and the attempts to propagate holy figures in the viceroyalty. https://www.nmartmuseum.org/events/saints-santos-picturing-the-holy-in-new-spain-symposium-2/ Frederico Vigil Artist Talk, October 19, 2024, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Frederico M. Vigil, Exodus: Influencias Positivas y Compadrazgo (detail), 1998. New Mexico Museum of Art 1998.5.1 Since 2017, artist Frederico Vigil has been working on a fresco depicting the history of wine production in New Mexico and measuring over 2,500 square feet for the Albuquerque Convention Center. Vigil’s project will discuss how his monumental project explores that rich history. Vigil is one of the most prolific muralists in the region. His Mundos de Mestizaje, located inside the National Hispanic Cultural Center torreón, was completed in 2009 and measures roughly 4,000 square feet. His work is familiar to patrons of the New Mexico Museum of Art as well. In 1998, he completed Exodus: Influencias Positivas Y Compadrazgo in the courtyard of the 1917 Plaza Building. “The Journey Of The UVA y Vino to Nuevo Mexico, 1629,” is free to the public and will be followed by a ticketed wine tasting with Mission Winery and Vara. https://www.nmartmuseum.org/events/artist-talk-frederick-vigil/ https://www.nmartmuseum.org/events/wine-tasting/ Final Friday Artist Talk by Peter Sarkisian, October 25, 2024, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Gathering Series I (The Cocktail Pieces), Peter Sarkisian, 1966, Museum purchase with funds from the Collector’s Club and Jordie M. Chilson, 1998 Join us on Friday, October 25, 2024, to learn more about Peter Sarkisian and his work. This Final Friday Program at the New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary is part of a series of artist talks in conjunction with the exhibition Off-Center. Peter Sarkisian combines video projection and physical objects to create a unique form of cinematic sculpture. He has exhibited for more than thirty years in international venues, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, and the National Museum of Art in Taiwan. Sarkisian currently lives and works in Santa Fe. This program is made possible by Pat and Jim Hall. https://www.nmartmuseum.org/events/peter-sarkisian-final-friday-off-center-artist-talk/

Take a bite out of New Mexico’s diverse culinary landscape in new Forks in the Road exhibit at New Mexico History Museum. The New Mexico History Museum takes visitors on a culinary adventure through the state’s tasty restaurant scene with its newest exhibit, Forks in the Road: A Diner’s Guide to New Mexico. Guest curated by John Vollertsen, known as “Chef Johnny Vee,” the exhibit will be in Room 15 of the newly rehabilitated Palace of the Governors. Forks in the Road is an immersive exhibit highlighting iconic and historic eateries across the state. Visitors will discover the stories behind these cherished landmarks and meet the families who built these culinary cornerstones, reflecting the unique spirit of their communities. The museum partnered with Chef Johnny Vee, who brings more than 30 years of experience as a chef, cooking instructor, and food writer, to this important aspect of New Mexico history. “I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to curate Forks in the Road. This project allowed me to share my passion for New Mexican cuisine and highlight the incredible diversity of our state’s culinary scene,” Vee said. “How wonderful to be able to celebrate the people, places, and foods that have fed us deliciously in our past and into the future.” The exhibit includes a replica dining booth that is perfect for selfies, a large state map showing restaurants nominated by the public, a listening station with recordings of favorite restaurant experiences, and a smell station with scents like piñon and biscochito. Visitors will be able to contribute their own restaurant memories by recording stories on a call-in telephone. A feature wall explores themes such as “Roots to Routes,” “A Taste of Louisiana in Albuquerque,” “Roadside Charm,” and “Mesilla Destination.” Each theme is presented through stories and photos by some of New Mexico’s best-known food writers and photographers. “This multisensory exhibit is designed to engage sight, sound, touch, and smell in what we hope will be a fulfilling and memorable museum experience,” said Catherine Trujillo, Deputy Director of NMHM and co-creator of the exhibit. Forks in the Road is the first installment in a multi-year initiative focused on the historical roots of the state’s deep interest in all things food related. “New Mexico’s food heritage is a complex interplay of culinary tradition and innovation, agriculture, processing and distribution, access, and cultural identity. Over the next several years, the Museum looks forward to offering visitors the opportunity to explore these diverse threads through a combination of engaging installations, special programs, and hands-on activities,’” said Executive Director Billy Garrett. About New Mexico History Museum New Mexico History Museum, a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, offers a welcoming place for exploration of multifaceted views on history, dialog that bridges social and cultural divides, and reflection on the conditions needed for a more resilient, just, and sustainable future. The NMHM campus is located on the north side of the historic Santa Fe Plaza. Learn more at nmhistorymuseum.org.

Celebrate New Mexico’s cultural diversity at Fiesta of Cultures at Coronado Historic Site The annual Fiesta of Cultures: All Cultures of New Mexico at Coronado Historic Site is a family-friendly event celebrating New Mexico’s enchanting diversity of cultures. Held on Saturday, Oct. 19, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Fiesta of Cultures features cultural performances, live animals, a community ofrenda/offering display, kiva tours, and food and art vendors, and is presented by New Mexico Historic Sites and The Friends of Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites. “New Mexico’s cultural landscape is as vibrant and rich as it is complex and deep-rooted,” said Katrina Gallegos, regional site manager for Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites. “Fiesta of Cultures explores this reality through dance, food, demonstrations, and tours. Alongside our stalwart Friends group, we welcome the community to our site and invite people to immerse themselves in ‘history where it happened.’” The event includes cultural performances by The Wilde Bunch Square Dancers, an LGBTQ+ square dance group from Albuquerque, Pueblo Enchantment Dancers from Acoma Pueblo, Van Hanh Vietnamese Lion Dancers, and Son Como Son Cuban salsa band. The event will also feature animal demonstrations from Llama del Sol and On a Wing and a Prayer bird rescue, tours of the site’s reconstructed kiva, and a community ofrenda, or offering, display for visitors to share photos to remember loved ones who have passed on. Visitors can shop from a juried show of local vendors who specialize in art, crafts, and jewelry. Food trucks, including Manko: Native American Fusion, will be available in the parking lot. Fiesta of Cultures is open to the public and admission is $10 per person and free to Friends of Coronado and Jemez members, Museum of New Mexico Foundation members, Native/Tribal affiliations, disabled veterans, and foster families. Tickets are available for advanced purchase online at https://my.nmculture.org/32482/32490 or at the event. For a full schedule of activities visit https://media.newmexicoculture.org/event/6290/. Fiesta of Cultures is sponsored by the Friends of Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites, Museum of New Mexico Foundation, and The Pueblo of Santa Ana – Tamaya. Artist demonstration sponsored by The Wilde Bunch. Additional support provided by the Town of Bernalillo Lodgers’ Tax Grant. Small business support from Metal the Brand, Kakawa Chocolate House, and The Range Café. About Coronado Historic Site Coronado Historic Site and the ruins of Kuaua Pueblo are located in Bernalillo, with the scenic Rio Grande and Sandia Mountains to the east. In 1540, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado entered the Rio Grande valley somewhere near this site while searching for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold. Instead of treasure, he found a dozen Native farming villages. The site shares the complex history between the Indigenous Tiwa People and the Spanish explorers. Visitors can learn more about this history at the Visitor Center Museum, as well as explore the footprint of the Kuaua ruins, a reconstructed kiva, and ancient Kuaua kiva murals. Learn more at nmhistoricsites.org/coronado.

The OAS and MNMF held a successful fundraising lecture at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science on September 12. Executive Director Dr. John Taylor-Montoya invited Dr. David Rachal to present on his White Sands Footprints dating research using his background in geoarchaeology. The sold-out event received great feedback with attendees asking for more events, especially in Albuquerque. After several years’ hiatus, International Archaeology Day will again be hosted at the Center for New Mexico Archaeology. The New Mexico Historic Preservation Division is sponsoring its Annual Archaeology Fair on Saturday, October 19 with co-hosts, the New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. The Archaeology Fair is planned for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be located at the Center for New Mexico Archaeology at 7 Old Cochiti Road. The event will include tours the OAS facilities, full-hour tours of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture’s archaeological repository, atlatl and bow and arrow demonstrations and activities for all ages. Learn more here. If you aren’t able to attend the tours on October 19, and you would still love to see the exciting laboratories at the OAS, contact Lauren Paige anytime and we can schedule a private or group tour for you.