Join the Spanish Colonial Arts Society and the Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Arts Museum in celebrating its 100-year anniversary with special centennial festivities that invite the public to learn more about the Society’s history, celebrate its milestones, and share in its future. Events include exhibitions, scholarly lectures, parties, garden tours, pop-up events, conversations with artists, conservators, curators, and more.
Unless otherwise specified, all events are held at the Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Arts Museum, located at 750 Camino Lejo on Museum Hill in Santa Fe. Details are subject to change. Please check the website frequently as new events will be posted as they are finalized.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8: 100 YEARS OF COLLECTING |100 YEARS OF CONNECTING
Public Opening of the Spanish Colonial Arts Society Centennial Exhibition. Free.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Society kicks off its 100th Anniversary Celebration with the opening of its centennial exhibition and unveiling of the Society’s first acquisition in 1928: an 1840 altar screen by master New Mexican santero José Rafael Aragόn. After nearly 100 years on loan to the Palace of the Governors, the altar screen returns to the Society for the first time in its history.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26: “THE WOMEN OF SCAS” LECTURE AND PANEL DISCUSSION
Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm, 4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NE, Albuquerque. For ticket information visit https://lospoblanos.com/events/dr-armin-rembe-lecture-series-at-la-quinta.
To celebrate Women's History Month, the Society takes the stage at the Los Poblanos Dr. Armin Rembe Lecture Series for a lively panel discussion on the history of the extraordinary women of the Spanish Colonial Arts Society. From SCAS co-founder Mary Austin to SCAS curator E. Boyd to the women who lead the organization today, the talk explores the central role that women have played in shaping and securing the legacy of the Society over the past 100 years. Featured speakers include SCAS Curator Emerita Donna Pierce, SCAS Curator Emerita Robin Farwell Gavin, SCAS E. Boyd Curator Jana Gottshalk, and former SCAS trustee and author Carmella Padilla.
SATURDAY, MARCH 29: THIRD ANNUAL YOUTH ARTIST EXHIBITION
Public Opening and Reception. Free. 10 a.m. – noon
Celebrate the achievements of New Mexican youth curators, ages 7 to 17, who created this exhibition inspired by the heritage arts of Hispano New Mexico. The exhibition puts students in conversation with the Spanish Colonial Arts Society collection, which they studied during workshops led by Traditional Spanish Market artists and the curator of the Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Arts Museum. A collaboration with the Atrisco Heritage Foundation.
POSTPONED SUNDAY, APRIL 6: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SCAS LIBRARY + ARCHIVE
Panel Discussion, Reception, and Book Club Launch. RSVP required. To reserve your spot, email rsvp@spanishcolonial.org. Suggested donation $10.00. 3 – 5 p.m.
Kick off National Library Week 2025 with at SCAS with supporters, volunteers, and founders of the Spanish Colonial Arts Society Library, as well New Mexico State librarians, as they share what makes this nearly 4,000-volume library unique in Santa Fe and throughout New Mexico. Hear about the Society’s plans for providing full public accessibility to the library and help select the first book for the newly launched Spanish Colonial Arts Society/Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Arts Museum Book Club! RESCHEDULED FOR FALL.
APRIL 10 and 12: HIGHLIGHTS OF JOHN GAW MEEM’S REGIONAL DESIGN
Individual Ticketed Events in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Details: https://nmheritagearts.org/meem-event
THURSDAY, APRIL 10. 10:30AM – 2:00PM: TOURS, TALKS, LUNCH AT LOS POBLANOS IN ALBUQUERQUE. LIMITED TO 25 GUESTS.
SATURDAY, APRIL 12. 10:00AM AND 3:00PM: TOURS, TALKS, MORNING AND AFTERNOON RECEPTIONS AT LABORATORY OF ANTHROPOLGY AND ITS DIRECTOR’S RESIDENCE ON MUSEUM HILL IN SANTA FE. LIMITED TO 50 GUESTS.
A two-day event of talks, tours, lunches, and receptions beginning at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, and concluding at the Laboratory of Anthropology Director’s Residence (home to the Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Arts Museum—NMHA), Santa Fe. Includes rare behind the scenes guided tour of the Laboratory of Anthropology, companion building to Laboratory of Anthropology Director’s Residence, in partnership with the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC). Featured speakers include:
Dr. Audra Bellmore, John Gaw Meem Curator and architectural historian at the University of New Mexico, and author Old Santa Fe Today, 5th ed. and the upcoming A Guide to the Historic Gardens and Everyday Landscapes of the Taos Art Colony.
Judith Phillips, landscape designer with a focus on native and xeric plants, and author of Growing the Southwest Garden and The Gardens of Los Poblanos.
Matthew Rembe, Executive Director of Los Poblanos, a nationally recognized destination farm promoting New Mexico’s unique agricultural history for locals and visitors.
Chris Wilson, Regents Professor of Landscape Architecture, and author of Facing Southwest: The Life & Houses of John Gaw Meem.
Special thanks to MIAC’s Curator of Ethnology Tony Chavarria and Head of Curatorial Affairs Elisa Phelps who will be leading guided tours of the Laboratory of Anthropology.
SATURDAY, JULY 26: SPANISH COLONIAL ARTS SOCIETY ANNUAL SUMMER CELEBRATION
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Ticketed Event.
Spanish Colonial Arts Society members, Spanish Market artists, and guests gather to celebrate GENERATION/S: Tradition as Innovation. This special event is held in collaboration with UNESCO Creative Cities/ City of Santa Fe Arts & Culture Department.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6: PANEL DISCUSSION ON ARTISTS, COMMUNITIES, AND THEIR WORK TOGETHER. Ticketed event. 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. followed by reception.
A panel discussion with Spanish Market Artists and Master Santeros Victor Goler, Nick Otero, and Jerry Sandoval along with Angelo Sandoval, mayordomo of St. Anthony's Catholic church in Cordova speaking about their restoration and conservation projects throughout New Mexico. Launch of SCAS Collection interest group!
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8: TALK AND BOOK SIGNING WITH DON J. USNER. Ticketed event. 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. followed by reception. Did you know the second purchase SCAS made after its 1928 purchase of the José Rafael Aragόn altar screen was the Santuario de Chimayό? In October 1929 the Society purchased a private chapel, restored, and later deeded it to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe that same year. This Santuario de Chimayό is world-famous today as the destination of devotional pilgrims each year on Easter Sunday. Come learn about the early relationship with SCAS and the Santuario and the peoples and culture of Chimayό today with acclaimed author, celebrated photographer, and community historian Don J. Usner, author of Benigna's Chimayo, Sabino's Map: Life in Chimayó's Old Plaza, and Chasing Dichos through Chimayó. Proceeds from this special event will support SCAS/NMHA and our community partner Chimayo Cultural Preservation Association and its Los Maestros del Norte, designed to teach children the hands-on skills of New Mexican folk art.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13: ROB MARTINEZ LECTURE AND DEMONSTRATION. Ticketed event. 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. followed by reception.
Circling back to our roots and the charge of our Articles of Incorporation “to provide for and cause the delivering and holding of lectures, exhibitions, public meetings, ENTERTAINMENTS…” join us for a lecture and demonstration with musician and New Mexico State Historian Rob Martinez.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13: A WINTER CELEBRATION TO CLOSE OUT THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR. Ticketed event. 4:00 – 7:00pm.
Come learn about future plans for SCAS/NMHA at this special panel and gala event wrapped into one! Panel includes curators and artists and unveiling of the SCAS Centennial Book. Plus one big birthday party for SCAS celebrating a successful year of honoring our past while looking forward to the next 100 years!