1 Mark the artistry of printers.

Printers are often the behind-the-scenes craftspeople, collaborating with artists to achieve their vision and produce the final works. In a new exhibit, Printer’s Proof: Artist and Printers Collaboration, opening at the Albuquerque Museum on Saturday, many of those artisans who are based (or formerly based) in New Mexico get their due.

The exhibit, which runs through May 15, celebrates the artistry and expertise of printers Marina Ancona, Robert Arber, Steve Britko, Michael Costello, Bill Lagattuta, and Jennifer Lynch, and it includes several pieces by Ron Adams. “An exciting element of the exhibition is the way it reveals the diversity of the works both in terms of varied printmaking techniques as well as subject matter,” says curator Josie Lopez. “Each printer collaborated with so many artists who explored a variety of themes and subjects.”

More than 120 works span the 1970s to today, and feature such artists as Luis Tapia, Nick Cave, Donald Judd, Hung Liu, and Nicola Lopez. “There is a bit of everything—portraiture, landscape, narrative, abstraction, and interrogations of color, light, and line,” says Lopez. “It is really impressive to see how the printers worked with artists to make so many different aesthetic hopes a reality.” 

Anila Quayyum Agha's large-scale work, "Intersections," is the centerpiece of the Albuquerque Museum's exhibit "Mysterious Inner World." Photograph courtesy of the Albuquerque Museum.

2 Pull the threads of history.

Using elements from Islamic architecture in her art, Anila Quayyum Agha aims to create sanctuary and a sense of belonging by recreating imagery from sacred spaces. An exhibit of her work, Mysterious Inner Worlds, opens at the University of New Mexico Art Museum, in Albuquerque, on Friday.

Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Anila Quayyum Agha immigrated to the United States just before September 2001, studied textile design, and now works as a professor at Indiana University’s Herron School of Art and Design. A 2020–2021 recipient of the Smithsonian Fellowship in the Arts, she incorporates textile elements into her 2D works, embroidering paper with beads and thread from Pakistan.

The centerpiece of Mysterious Inner Worlds, which runs through July 2, is a large-scale light installation. Lit from within and suspended from the ceiling, a steel cube casts shadows of floral patterns and geometric shapes onto the walls—and viewers. The exhibit also includes seven mixed-media works inspired by her mother’s quilting practice to honor the skills of immigrants.

Eliza Bonet stars in "Frida," Opera Southwest's production being performed in at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Photograph courtesy of Opera Southwest.

3 Sing Frida’s praises.

One of the most famous and beloved artists of all time, Frida Kahlo goes to the opera this weekend. Opera Southwest celebrates the icon’s story at the National Hispanic Cultural Center with Frida, a musical experience written by Robert Xavier Rodriguez. Accompanied by a full orchestra and sung in Spanish, the show covers the moments that made Kahlo who she was, from her childhood bus accident to her love for Diego Rivera.

“Frida lovers should be stoked because this is a new way to experience her story,” says Matthew Mora, a spokesperson for the cultural center, which hosts performances Friday (7 p.m.), Saturday (2 p.m.), and Sunday (2 p.m.).

4 Sip and shop in Ruidoso.  

Your glass overflows with New Mexico’s best wines and brews at the Vines in the Pines Art and Wine Festival. Sip some vino from more than a dozen wineries while shopping local art, food, and crafts by local makers at the Ruidoso Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets include free tastings from each winery, and a complimentary glass to take home.

5 Rock out with gems and minerals.

Gems, jewelry, fossils, meteorites, and more will be available to ogle and buy at The Museum Rocks! Gem & Mineral Show on Saturday (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) in Las Cruces. The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum hosts more than 40 vendors from throughout the country, including Silver City’s Burro Mountain Studio. Rockhounds and jewelry buffs can find educational booths, wire-wrapping demonstrations, jewelry making supplies, and more.