FIELD TRIPS
I just love field trips and there are some terrific options for any participant at my workshop. Each is totally optional, some have an additional fee. Art workshop participants are invited to bring along a friend or spouse. They are most welcome to join our group on these outings! We certainly don't do all of them on any given year, but below are some of the options. I plan ahead for the first two and buy our tickets myself to be sure they can accomodate our group schedule. (Let me know early with your registration if you plan to participate---I buy the tickets months ahead!
NOTE THAT THE TOUR TICKETS ARE TO BE PAID WITH YOUR INITIAL DEPOSIT AND ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH YOUR ROOM/BOARD/WORKSHOP FEES--THESE SELL OUT EARLY.
GHOST RANCH LANDSCAPE TOUR:
Ghost Ranch has a wonderful Georgia O'Keeffe Landscape Tour. We view a movie about Georgia O'Keeffe and her love of this area. A small bus then takes us to the private property of Ghost Ranch where we make several stops to view the places where Georgia O'Keeffe visited for her paintings. We will practically stand in her footprints and view her artwork while at the same time seeing the vistas she was inspired to paint. Bring your camera! The timing of our field trip depends upon the schedule at Ghost Ranch for this event. Those choosing to not participate in the tour can use the time for individual art, leisure, or perhaps booking a horse-back ride on the ranch! Each year the views are a bit different. In 2014 we had a bit of unusual rain and marveled at the waterfalls over the high edges of the cliffs--even more robust than Georgia O'Keeffe painted them!
Cost: $46 (must be reserved months ahead of our arrival)--Darla books a private tour for us
GEORGIA O'KEEFFE HOME AND STUDIO TOUR, ABIQUIU:
We drive down to Abiquiu with a brief stop at the Chama River Overlook. As we wait for the bus we can watch a film about Georgia O'Keeffe and her home. Photographs are not allowed, so cameras must be tucked away in the car before we board the bus. Beginning in the gardens Georgia loved and depended upon for produce, we walk through her home--the enclosed patio, kitchen, pantry, and end with her studio/bedroom. The tour affords a personal glimpse into the life of Georgia O'Keeffe. For those not wishing to see the home/studio, there is the option to wait at the Abiquiu Inn or pop around with Darla. The tour takes about one hour.
Cost: $60 (Darla must reserve months ahead of our workshop)
Check out this video by the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum: http://www.okeeffemuseum.org/her-houses.html
SANTA ROSA DE LIMA CHURCH, ABIQUIU:
This lovely Adobe church is just south down the road from Abiquiu Inn, built 1734 by the local peoples
THE WHITE PLACE, JUST NORTH OF ABIQUIU:
We used to pop into the White Place (as Georgia called it) but it tore up my van so we don't do it anymore. Several movies have been shot here and Georgia painted several paintings inspired by this area.
THE ECHO AMPHITHEATRE NORTH OF GHOST RANCH:
This is a natural feature and has been used as an outdoor theatre. It's a quick stop to snag some photos. Cost: Entry donation
CHAMA ART STUDIOS TOUR:
We lucked upon this in 2011 and drove up to Tierra Amarillo to the Three Ravens Art Coffee Shop as one of the designated Art Tour stops in Tia Amarillo. Several artists were represented here and the baked goods were great. The scenery of this very small town is picturesque with an old hotel, farm and some deserted clay homes. The studio tour is usually in October. Cost: Free
ABIQUIU ART SHOW:
It never fails that the local Abiquiu artists are displaying their annual show on the second floor gallery at the Abiquiu Inn. We can catch it before or after the O'Keeffe Studio Tour. Cost: Free
ABIQUE SCULPTURE GARDEN:
There is a beautiful sculpture garden behind Abiquiu Inn. Many sculptures have been added to the property surrounding the Inn. Cost: Free
PURPLE ADOBE LAVENDER FARM, ABIQUIU:
Just south down the road from Abiquiu Inn they sell all kinds of lavender products and a stroll through the garden is a treat for the senses. There is also a small cafe/gift shop. Cost: Free
DRUM-MAKER, ABIQUIU:
A local drum-maker, Wayne Brewster, lives in the area and may be available to offer some insight to the history and fundamentals of his art. Drums are available for sale. Cost: Free--make an appointment.
BODE'S, ABIQUIU:
Since 1939 this has been the general store of Abiquiu. We will pop in to see some fun items, get any toiletries we need and maybe take an ice cream for the road! Cost: It may cost to get out...they always have fun stuff to take home!
PEACE MONASTERY OF CHRIST IN THE DESERT:
If we have enough four-wheel drive vehicles we can drive to the monastery which is remotely located about an hour from Ghost Ranch. The architecture, art and spiritual connections are well worth the vist. They also have a gift shop that benefits the monastery. Cost: Free
OR, A BIT FURTHER ON YOUR OWN:
CARVED ART CAVES:
I haven't been yet, but it's on my list. It requires some hiking and at least 2 hours--reservations
required https://chronicles.
SANTA FE:
Always full of great things to see. Some in my group find it easier to come a day earlier and acclimate to the NM time zone and climate. If you spend extra time in Santa Fe consider these sites:
(you can easily park next to the Cathedral on the Plaza with paid parking and walk the rest)
Saturday has the Indian Market at the plaza (great for Native American jewelry)
*Forget some art supplies? Visit Artisan Arts and Crafts, 2601 Cerrillos Rd
*Canyon Road is famous for its art galleries--stroll through them
*The Cathedral on the Plaza is stunning inside
*Outside 14 Stations of the Cross life-size sculptures are near the parking lot at the side of the church
*Eating? My favorite spot is The Shed on the Plaza with a lovely courtyard--eat outside!
*The Governor's Palace always has a wonderful art exhibit---who knew??!
*Georgia O'Keeffe Museum is a must see
*Even if you can't afford to stay there, visit the Fonda Hotel at the Plaza and see their incredible art collection
*Saturday morning is market day at The Market near the railroad tracks--wonderful art, music & food
*NEVER miss Jackalope--a wonderful eclectic mix of individual shops with textiles, ceramics, jewlery, furniture--even animals at the back end of the property on Cerrillos Road
*The Santa Fe School of Cooking is something I love in SF--check it out and register early
*Cacao, Santa Fe--Cafe and Chocolate Factory--workshops, tours, elixirs, coffee/
espresso Bar
*Santa Fe Opera is world-renowned
GRANTS, NM: Catch the public art installation in Grants (only 2 hours from Santa Fe, or 1 hour, 15 minutes west of Albuquerque) where old satellite dishes have been given a new face! They can be seen on Route 66 and now feature the historical Native basket designs of the Navaho, Apache and Chacoan. The installation shows ingenuity in using vinyl wraps to not only re-use the satellite dishes, but by preserving the native designs. Plans are to include more.
MESA PRIETA PETROGLYPHS: North of Espanola, near Velarde check out the basalt lava rocks on the embankment of Mesa Prieta Peytroglyph Project which has identified more than 60,000 petroglyphs dating back 7,000 years!
ESPANOLA: One cannot help but notice all the gorgeous murals decorating the old buildings of Espanola. You can do a Google search for a map. As you drive towards Ghost Ranch from the direction of Santa Fe, you will see a lot as you come through on your trek to Abiquiu.
TUCUMCARI: Interstate 40 literally wraps around Tucumcari. It is east of Santa Rosa (where my driving group stops for the night enroute to Ghost Ranch). Self-touted as the City of Murals, there are some beauties (33)! If you are driving in from TX or OK, be sure to drive through! Also, it has outstanding old hotels from the Route 66 era. Ask me for a map and I'll send you the jpeg.
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