1 Peek into the artistic future.

A hologram of an Indigenous dancer in full regalia floats in the air in Taos. The futuristic work by Dante Biss-Grayson (Osage Nation) is part of his vision to create a holographic powwow for Digital Spirit Dancers: Inter-Tribal Holographic Installation. “The idea is to have this in a museum setting with all these dancers dancing in a circle,” says Biss-Grayson. The project aims to visually represent the Indigenous connection between the physical and spiritual realms, something accessed through big medicine. “We have items in Native culture that are big medicine—blankets, pipes, and bowls with faces on them, and dancing—they communicate with the spirit world; it’s how we connect to another world.”

Biss-Grayson showed a part of Digital Spirit Dancers at PASEO last year, and plans to show another, more realized version of the work at the 2024 PASEO, which takes place in Taos October 6–8. He invites the public behind the scenes on Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. to see him take green screen photos of a champion hoop dancer, a model from Taos Pueblo, and others in their full regalia at the Harwood Museum of Art.

Experience the blend of traditional and contemporary art at the Culture & Creators Visual Arts Festival at Los Luceros Historic Site.

2 Visit a festival on the banks of the Río Grande.

Over the next two weekends, Los Luceros Historic Site in Alcalde hosts the second annual Culture & Creators Visual Arts Festival  featuring artist demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and works on display, including by featured artist, Wesley Vigil (Tesuque Pueblo).

Vigil, a self-taught ceramicist, combines techniques of traditional Pueblo pottery and storytelling to create pieces representative of his northern New Mexican identity. “Wesley was in last year’s Culture & Creators show, where he won best in show,” says Eric Valdez, executive director of the Northern New Mexico Heritage Area.

The festival kicks off Saturday, but the main event is next weekend with the Los Luceros Harvest Festival. “During our Harvest Festival we will have live artists doing demonstrations, dancers from local pueblos, lots of live music, over 40 arts and crafts vendors, and apple picking,” says Vasquez.

Discover the ethereal abstract landscapes and skies of Steve Elmore at the 11th annual New Mexico Painters’ Exhibition in Las Vegas. Photograph courtesy of Steve Elmore.

3 Paint Las Vegas.

Forty artists have works in the 11th annual New Mexico Painters’ Exhibition, opening at the New Mexico Highlands University Foundation Kennedy Gallery, in Las Vegas, on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. On view through October 31, it includes a retrospective collection of oil paintings by Steve Elmore, who creates abstract landscapes and skies. The Elmore portion of the exhibition is curated by James Mann, author of the Manifesto of Vandalism: Beyond Post-Modernism (Bell Tower, 2015). Elmore says his unique style is inspired by his favorite Indigenous artist, Nampeyo (Hopi).

Explore New Mexican art scene through the lens of photographer Travis Ruiz in the "Rendered Presence: Artistas de Nuevo México" exhibition at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

4 Get to know the real New Mexican art scene.

A new guest-curated exhibition, Rendered Presence: Artistas de Nuevo México, opens at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, in Albuquerque, on Friday. Showcasing pieces by 13 New Mexico–based artists—including tattoo artist Marie Sena, photographer Travis Ruiz, and painter Eric Romero—the works aim to expand ideas about art born in the Land of Enchantment. The textiles, soft sculpture, photography, and paintings showcase how the creativity of New Mexicans goes far beyond the clichés of so-called “Western art.” Guest curator and santero Vicente Telles says his goal with Rendered Presence is to create a gathering of contemporary artists highlighting the breadth of the current art scene in New Mexico.

Don't miss LA's Selena Experience headlining SocorroFest at the town's historic plaza.

5 Attend a family-friendly festival.

For more than 20 years, the Socorro community has come together for SocorroFest, a two-day music festival on the town’s historic plaza. “It’s a big gathering with people from all demographics,” says Ronna Kalish, community engagement manager at the New Mexico Tech Performing Art Series, which oversees the festival. “It really brings people together.” This year, LA’s Selena Experience headlines a musical lineup that includes genres from rock to folk on three stages. “The performances really cover the gambit,” Kalish says.

Starting Friday at 6 p.m., attendees can see live sets, enjoy drinks from local breweries, and shop art vendors and stands from the farmers’ market. “People who grew up here come back for SocorroFest,” Kalish says. “And people from nearby communities come for the authenticity. It’s a down home, not pretentious event.”

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