1 See Indigenous reflections.

On the campus of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, a new pop-up exhibition opens Thursday. Reflections of Venice gives viewers an eye into a trip that students, faculty, and staff took to Venice, Italy, in the summer of 2024. “We have over 50 photographs, mostly taken by MFA and studio arts students,” says Jason Ordaz, chief communications officer at IAIA. “The images show the students’ personal reflections of the trip.”

The trip coincided with the Mississippi Choctaw-Cherokee artist Jeffrey Gibson’s debut as the first Indigenous artist to represent the United States in the Venice Biennale. “Gibson really supported our work,” Ordaz says. “He wanted the students to attend. We participated in a live performance, a video of which is included in this exhibit.”

Having the opportunity to see Gibson and his work on the renowned Venice Biennale stage had a profound effect on the IAIA group. “As Indigenous artists, the students felt empowered,” says Ordaz. “That impacted their own dialogue and their own Indigenous presence as artists in the world.” The exhibition opens with a celebratory reception on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. with snacks and refreshments. Find it in the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery in the Academic Building on the IAIA campus. See the exhibition through March 26.

The New Mexico Museum of Art celebrates the legacy of Eugenie Shonnard with "Breaking the Mold," a diverse exhibition of her works in furniture, architectural ornaments, and sculpture.

2 See an artist’s posthumous return to New Mexico.

The New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe opens its newest exhibition, Eugenie Shonnard: Breaking the Mold, on Saturday as a homecoming of sorts for the featured artist, who died in Santa Fe in 1978. Showcasing works in multiple mediums, including furniture, architectural ornaments, and sculpture, the exhibition aims to revive awareness of and appreciation for Shonnard’s legacy.

Born in New York, she attended the New York School of Applied Design for Women and apprenticed with Auguste Rodin. In 1925, she made her way to New Mexico for a residency at the New Mexico Museum of Art, where she created a series of busts of Indigenous women. Shonnard permanently relocated to the Land of Enchantment in 1927. Nearly one hundred years later, this new exhibition, on view through August 24, honors her life and work here.

Las Cruces Cowboy Days at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum offers a glimpse into ranching heritage with working dog demos, trick roping, charreada displays, and live music. Photograph by Tira Howard.

3 Ride ’em, cowboy.

Ranching traditions get a spotlight during Las Cruces Cowboy Days at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum on Friday and Saturday. The 25th annual event gives attendees a window into farm and ranching lifestyles with working dog demonstrations, trick roping and charreada displays from the Castro family, and the Parade of Breeds, which showcases a variety of cattle. “People come to experience the Old West, and we give them that,” says Alison Penn, PR specialist at the museum. “People love the working dogs. We have pony rides and all the typical fair food with a Western twist.”

Enjoy a live performance by Las Cruces country musician Dzaki Sukarno as well as Tejano tunes by Los Chiles Rellenos, hailing from Anthony. “It’s definitely a family-friendly event,” Penn says. “But we have something for everyone.” It’s open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Entry is $10 per vehicle.

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center celebrates Women’s History Month with the Pueblo Women’s Celebration. Photograph courtesy of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

4 Celebrate Pueblo women.

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque marks Women’s History Month with a special presentation of talks and dances by Pueblo women this weekend during the Pueblo Women’s Celebration. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, attendees can hear from leaders like Nathana Bird (Ohkay Owingeh/Kewa), the interim executive director at Tewa Women United, and Angel Charley (Laguna/Zuni/Diné), a New Mexico state senator. Dance performances from Ria Thundercloud (Sandia/Ho-Chunk) and Danekah Johnson (Ohkay Owingeh) happen at 11:50 a.m. and noon.

On Saturday, Columbus commemorates Pancho Villa’s 1916 invasion with the annual Cabalgata Fiesta de Amistad. Photograph courtesy of Raechel Running.

5 Ride into Columbus.

On Saturday, Columbus remembers a singular moment in history during the annual Cabalgata Fiesta de Amistad, which happens every March. Starting at the U.S.–Mexico border, a memorial horseback ride into the town commemorates the day Pancho Villa invaded the town in March 1916. Since 1999, the historic reenactment has become a party with mariachis, food vendors, ballet folklórico dancers, and fun for the whole family in the Plaza of Columbus. The free event kicks off at 9 a.m.

For more things to do, check out our online calendar of events.