1 See sk8er art.

Skateboard decks become canvases in PIVOT, an exhibit opening at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, in Albuquerque, on Thursday (through February 2023). The exhibit’s title references the myriad ways in which Indigenous people “pivot” between their traditions and daily life. Co-curated by Landis Bahe (Diné) and Kandis Quam (Zuni Pueblo), around 30 artists bring the decks to life with images of cacti and sunsets, tooled leather, and Indigenous symbols like dragonflies and traditional pottery.

“PIVOT is about Native Americans integrating into a world and society that is not of our origin,” says Bahe. “It shows that we are here, adapting and evolving.” Bahe hopes the works resonate with Indigenous kids and teens. “Growing up, a lot of our youth turn away from their culture. When that happens, then you see trauma and addiction. What we’ve done here is create an opportunity for the youth to see something that demonstrates the navigation of living in someone else’s world.”

Treat yourself to a 5K adventure—and some delicious food—at Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area. Photograph courtesy of Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area.

2 Take a sweet glide.

Just Desserts Eat & Ski at the Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area, in Red River, has tempted skiers and snowshoers since the 1980s. Snow fairies place cakes, pies, cookies, and other confections created by local restaurants and bakers along a 5K course. Participants ski or snowshoe the trail, noshing along the way, with treats like wild blueberry pie from Sundance Restaurant, fudge made by the Candy Crate, and tiramisu from the kitchen at Capo’s Corner.

This year’s event, on Saturday, is even sweeter because it celebrates the reopening of Enchanted Forest, which was damaged by high winds in December. With help from a GoFundMe and volunteers, the trails are clear and hungry visitors are welcome.

Everett Hoffman's "i believe in you, 2022" is among the works featured in "Arrivals 2022" at Form & Concept, in Santa Fe. Photograph courtesy of Form & Concept.

3 Push the boundaries of contemporary craft.

Arrivals 2022, a new exhibit opening Friday at Form & Concept, in Santa Fe, showcases artists who challenge conceptions of contemporary craft and design. Many of the artists come from traditionally marginalized communities and create work that highlights conversations surrounding their cultures. They include Edie Tsong, Megan Bent, Everett Hoffman, Natalie Rae Good, Scout Dunbar, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Jami Porter Lara, and more. Otherworldly glasses by C Alex Clark and little ceramic cowboy boots by Datchuk are particular stand outs. See it through March 26.

Utako Shindo's "untranslatable" is part of her new exhibit at 5. Gallery, in Santa Fe. Photograph courtesy of 5. Gallery.

4 Get moody with art.

Utako Shindo, an artist from Tokyo, works with ephemeral phenomena like shadow and light. She met Max Baseman, the curator and owner of 5. Gallery, in Santa Fe, when she was visiting New Mexico in 2020 to study painter Agnes Martin. Ever since, the two have been brewing her new exhibit, the night falls and the day breaks, opening this weekend. The lines of mountains and curves of waves inspired Shindo’s works. “Her paired stoneware vessels and folded sumi-ink drawings become like stars along the floor of the gallery, placed between two hanging sumi ink works on paper,” Baseman says. Shindo will be at the reception on Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m. See the show through April 8.

5 Laissez les bons temps rouler.

Red River loves a good party. Its annual long weekend of Mardi Gras celebrations starts Thursday and runs through Tuesday under the theme of Freak Show: 2022’s Mardi Gras in the Mountains. Festivities includes live music, a glow-stick parade, the burning of an effigy that cleanses the year of worries, a Cajun feast, karaoke, a torchlight parade, fireworks and more.