1 Marvel at art.
Gary Goldberg might be best known for photography that documents the treasure in the unseen, like the texture of old walls throughout Oaxaca, one of his favorite cities. But his newest exhibit at Hecho Gallery, in Santa Fe, focuses on a different medium: textiles. Based on his photographs, the textiles in From Photography to Textiles: Gary Goldberg are created at Oaxaca’s Centro de las Artes in San Augustín using natural dyes and traditional methods to turn his images into felted works. It takes three people three weeks to create each one.
“It’s this really interesting way of collaboration,” says Frank Rose, owner of Hecho Gallery. “Gary is really bringing the artisans into the process and honoring them as collaborators. It goes beyond this idea of the artist as a singular genius into accepting needing other people to make work. It recognizes what the world needs right now, which is that we all need help and to honor what everyone brings to the table.
“The works are arresting,” Rose says. “They are so tactile, I think we will have a hard time keeping people from touching them. I love the idea of them being an actual representation of an object, like a wall in Oaxaca, but being so abstract. They can function purely aesthetically, and they work if you want to look deeper as well.” The opening reception happens Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. On Saturday at 2 p.m., Goldberg gives a talk in the gallery. See the exhibit through February 26.
Also in Santa Fe on Friday evening, Strata Gallery premieres Fragments: Juried Exhibition, with 40 works by artists from 16 states. Gallery director David Olivant says the works focus on ideas of fragmentation. Artists confront pieces of histories and memories, physical collapse, and media overload. The opening reception is from 5 to 8 p.m., and you can see the works through January 21.
2 Take the plunge. (Brrr!)
If you’re into doing new (and maybe a little crazy) things for a good cause in 2023, the Al’burrr’querque Polar Plunge is for you. Head to the Sierra Vista Pool on Saturday and jump into the 40-degree water or brave a dip via the slide. Proceeds help children learn to swim through the Shasta Strong Swim Fund. Pay $40 to take the plunge or $50 to hit the slide. The event starts at 10:30 a.m. and you can register and pay upon arrival. Cold-water immersions are supposed to have therapeutic benefits. (We’ll take your word on that.)
3 See the stars.
The January night sky will abound in twinkles as cold weather enhances the view. Find out what to look for Friday at 7 p.m. when astronomer Steve Becker speaks at the Los Alamos Nature Center’s planetarium. (Register in advance at the link.) This week alone, you can spy Venus, Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter, and Saturn, along with what the experts call a “perfect view” of Mars. Sorry, Mercury fans.
4 Celebrate a Pueblo tradition.
“Kings Day is about sovereignty and leadership,” says Jon Ghahate (Laguna/Zuni), museum educator at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, in Albuquerque. Falling 12 days after Christmas, the Catholic holiday marks the day the three kings acknowledged the birth of Jesus. But in Pueblo culture, it’s the day when leadership changes to newly elected officials. “It’s a day when we acknowledge our leadership and declare our sovereignty,” Ghahate says. “It’s a time when the previous elected administration transitions to the newer administration, and it is very poignant as it relates to the current history of our country.” The center hosts an event to mark the occasion on Friday, when Ghahate will give two presentations covering the history of the day both in person and virtually. The presentations happen in person at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; a virtual presentation is at 4 p.m.
5 Do the hokey pokey.
Shake it all about at the Murray Ballroom, in Silver City’s Murray Hotel, on Saturday during the Breaking Up Christmas Community Dance. Live tunes from the fantastic fiddlers Big Ditch Crickets serenade dancers from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Look forward to waltzes, two-steps, the New Mexico broom dance, polkas, and a ton of family-friendly fun. There’s a $10 suggested donation that benefits local radio station Gila Mimbres Community Radio.
Read more: For more things to do, check out our online calendar of events.