Here are some of this Thanksgiving season’s top opportunities to be grateful for art and to find wonderful Christmas presents.
Through January 2, 2022
Southwest Rising: Contemporary Art and the Legacy of Elaine Horwitch
From the early 1970s until her death in 1991, art dealer Elaine Horwitch was a major force in contemporary art in the Southwest. This exhibition features paintings, sculptures, and works on paper by many of the most popular artists who exhibited at her galleries. They include Anne Coe, John Fincher, James Havard, Louise Nevelson, Georgia O’Keeffe, Tom Palmore, Robert Rauschenberg, Billy Schenck, Fritz Scholder, Lynn Taber, and Bob Wade. New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, 505.476.5076, nmartmuseum.org
Elaine Horwitch
Photo credit: courtesy New Mexico Museum of Art
Through January 2, 2022
Ansel Adams: Compositions in Nature
This exhibition explores the many sides of Ansel Adams. It presents photographs from every period of the artist’s storied career — many of his best-loved as well as lesser-known, including a selection of his most highly regarded works printed at the end of his career. The exhibition also explores changes in his aesthetics and technique, displaying prints of the same photograph produced decades apart for visitors to compare and contrast. Adams’ lifelong interests in both landscape conservation and classical music are also explored. In a section of the exhibition, visitors will hear selections from a 1945 recording of Adams playing several classical compositions for the piano. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Virginia, 804.340.1400, vmfa.museum/exhibitions
Ansel Adams, Half Dome, printed 1979, gelatin silver print
Photo credit: courtesy The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust
Through January 22, 2022
The West as Home
Exploring the meaning of home, this exhibition features more than 100 works of art and two videos that present the concept of home through the eyes of artists of the West. Included are works by Thomas Blackshear II, Fremont F. Ellis, Albert Groll, Victor Higgins, Frank Tenney Johnson, Gene Kloss, and others. Stark Museum of Art, Orange, Texas, 409.886.2787, starkmuseum.org
Frank Tenney Johnson, Watching the Wagon Train, 1917, oil on canvas, 34 3/8" x 24"
Photo credit: courtesy of Stark Museum of Art
November 6
Santa Fe Art Auction
One of the Southwest’s largest annual sales of classic and contemporary Western and American Indian art, this year’s signature auction offers more than 400 lots, including select items from the Christopher Cardozo Collection of Edward Curtis, and works by Fritz Scholder, Charles Loloma, Beatrice Mandelman, John Nieto, Emil Bisttram, Gerald Curtis Delano, Leon Gaspard, Susan Hertel, and others. Bid in person, by phone, or online in real time. Santa Fe, 505.954.5858, santafeartauction.com
Gerard Curtis Delano, Sunlight and Shadow, oil on board, 17.5" x 19.5"
Photo credit: courtesy Santa Fe Art Auction
November 12
Small Works, Great Wonders
This unique sales exhibition offers traditional and contemporary paintings and sculptures at affordable prices. Mingle with some of the nation’s finest artists at an opening-night reception. Sale art goes on exhibit November 6 prior to the fixed-price draw sale on November 12; unsold work remains on view and available through November 28. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, 405.478.2250, swgw.nationalcowboymuseum.org
November 12 – 14
Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival
Celebrate recycling and art at this family-friendly event that brings together artists who transform discarded materials into artistic wonders. Now in its 22nd year, the event includes an art market, juried art exhibits of student as well as adult art, and make-and-take activities. Santa Fe Convention Center, Santa Fe, recyclesantafe.org
Bill Skrips, Sinclair, recycled material
Photo credit: courtesy of the artist
November 13
Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival
The Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival honors the Payaya people who once inhabited the region around San Antonio. Yanaguana was the word they used to describe the waterway now known as the San Antonio River. This year the festival returns with in-person artist demonstrations, workshops, musical performances, dancing, storytelling, kids’ activities, and food celebrating Native culture. Briscoe Western Art Museum, San Antonio, 210.299.4499, briscoemuseum.org
November 19 – 20
Alpine Artwalk
This annual art and music festival features live music, multiple art locations, food vendors, and honored artist Tim Roberts. The Fort Davis-based artist’s photorealistic scratchboards, paintings, and linocut prints have been shown in numerous exhibitions and have appeared in various publications. Alpine, Texas, 432.294.1071, artwalkalpine.com
Tim Roberts, Balmorhea Gin, oil on canvas, 24" x 36"
Photo credit: courtesy of the artist
November 19 – 21
Fall Artisans Market
After taking a pause in 2020, the fall artisans market returns with crafts, original artwork, pottery, glass, jewelry, and gift items by more than 100 local artists and artisans in an outdoor street setting. The event is an annual fundraiser for Tucson’s oldest visual arts institution and a launch into the holiday season in downtown Tucson. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, Tucson, Arizona, 520.624.2333, tucsonmuseumofart.org
November 20 – 21
SWAIA Winter Indian Market
A smaller, more intimate version of the summer extravaganza, this market offers the same superb quality and exquisite craftsmanship by top Native American artists as well as the opportunity to visit with the creators at the lovely La Fonda hotel and enjoy the City Different during crisp autumn weather. La Fonda on the Plaza hotel, Santa Fe, 505.983.5220, swaia.org
November 20 – December 4
The Great American West Art Show
Howard Terpning, Martin Grelle, Robert Griffing, Bonnie Marris, Don Oelze, and A.T. Cox are among the 60 artists participating in this year’s 50th anniversary art show and sale. A daytime preview and reception take place on November 20 before approximately 110 new paintings and sculptures are sold in an intent-to-purchase draw that evening. Unsold works remain on view through December 4. Settlers West Galleries, Tucson, Arizona, 520.299.2607, settlerswest.com
Don Oelze, The Bear Story, oil, 38" x 42"
Photo credit: courtesy Settlers West Galleries
November 21
Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Western Art Show
View approximately 350 juried original works by 250 established and emerging artists online ahead of Mountain Oyster Club’s 52th annual sale on November 21, when Tucson’s famous private club opens its doors to the public. Tickets must be purchased in advance by requesting an invitation online or by phone. Mountain Oyster Club, Tucson, Arizona, 520.623.3417, mountainoysterclub.com
November 26 – 28
Tubac Art and Wine Tasting Fiesta
Tents line the streets of this charming historic village for a show that features all types of art, jewelry, ceramics, and crafts by about 60 artisans. Enjoy live music, food, and wine tastings at restaurants as you peruse and purchase the artistic offerings. Tubac, Arizona, 520.398.2704, tubacaz.com
November 26 – December 31
Holidays at the Heard
The Heard has begun its holiday tradition early this year with live performances and artist demonstrations starting the day after Thanksgiving to introduce visitors to traditional and contemporary American Indian music, dance, and art. Heard Museum, Phoenix, 602.252.8840, heard.org
December 3 – 4
Spanish Market Artists’ Winter Show
Find that special gift or something for your own collection from artwork by more than 70 New Mexican artists of Hispanic descent working in traditional Spanish Colonial arts. Shop for weavings, santos (carved and flat retablos), furniture, tinwork, precious metals, pottery, straw appliqué/encrusted straw, embroidery, and more while enjoying traditional New Mexican Christmas and folk music and local New Mexican cuisine with favorites like biscochitos and Mexican hot chocolate. Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community, Santa Fe, 505.660.8967
December 3 – 5
Fall Tempe Festival of the Arts
For more than 50 years, holiday shoppers have flocked to this award-winning festival for unique handmade gifts by more than 350 juried artists working in many mediums, including ceramics, jewelry, leather, fiber, and painting. Live music and entertainment, an interactive kids’ area, and wine and spirits tasting offer something for everyone. Mill Avenue, Downtown Tempe, Arizona, tempefestivalofthearts.com
Photography: (Cover image) Bonnie Marris, Chasing the Devil, oil, 36" x 48"
Photo credit: courtesy Settlers West Galleries