Museum of Northern Arizona — Winter events and exhibitions

Message from Mary –   January can be a time to hunker down, stay warm and retreat from the world. You will see from the activities below, we at the Museum of Northern Arizona give a good reason to leave the house. From engaging cultural performances by Ed Kabotie and Sage Bond, and a rare opportunity to be in conversation with British artist Tony Foster, to engaging exhibitions, educational programs, or a post-holiday treat from our shops – we look forward to welcoming you to MNA.
We also invite you to come learn more about the plans for the museum’s land. Many people don’t realize the museum has more than 200 acres where people learn about the plants and ecosystems of the area. We are working in new ways to protect both the museum’s land and our finances by encouraging donors to support conservation easements for nearly 90 acres of meadow and forest, preserving the land for future generations. Staff and board members will be presenting this idea and answering your questions at a public meeting at 2 pm on Feb. 16 in the Branigar-Chase Auditorium. I hope to see you there.
Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona
Blue Corn Girls: A Tewa Story
Jan. 20, 2 pm
Winter, with its long nights and cold days, is the traditional time for storytelling among Puebloan cultures. Long forms of stories are usually not told outside of the cold season. Join MNA artist-in-residence Ed Kabotie on a winter holiday for an afternoon of music, art, and storytelling in the spirit of his Tewa heritage.
Loud & Proud:  Indigenous Identity and Heavy Metal Music
Jan. 26, 2 pm
Singer/songwriter Sage Bond and MNA Anthropology Collections Manager Tony Thibodeau explore the impact of heavy metal music on contemporary Indigenous identity. Sage’s songs are inspired by her experiences growing up and living on the Navajo reservation. Tony brings an academic perspective.
Rumble on the Mountain 6: Bridging the Divide
Jan. 25, 1-5 pm
$8 adults/$5 students/12 and under free
Rumble on the Mountain 6 will bring together voices of neighboring tribes and Flagstaff community members to bridge the divide between tribal and non-tribal world views; science and traditional knowledge; students and social justice issues. This all-ages event takes place in the museum auditorium but is not a museum event, so it is not included with museum admission.
Tony Foster in Conversation
Feb. 8, 11 am
Hear Tony Foster talk about his adventures and artistic process in creating watercolors of the Grand Canyon and Mt. Everest for the exhibition “Searching for a Bigger Subject.” Then join MNA Fine Arts Curator Alan Petersen in the gallery for further discussions and questions.
Prestige Goods of the Americas
Feb. 10, 3:30 pm
Join Jeffrey Lewis, founder of Trade Roots Collection and Living Museum, at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre in Sedona, for a presentation on the origins of these precious items in prehistoric times and their uses today. Tickets available at sedonafilmfestival.com or by calling 928-282-1177. General admission is $10.
Public Meeting: Conservation of MNA Land
Feb. 16, 2:00 pm
Learn more about efforts to set aside 90 acres of MNA land through permanent conservation easements. So far donors have been found to support the preservation of 36 acres, and the board members are actively seeking more conservation-minded donors for the remaining 54 acres. This public meeting will be held in the MNA Branigar-Chase Auditorium and is open to all.
2020 Key Dates
Mark your new calendar now so you don’t miss these big events at MNA:
Spring Break Camp, March 16-20
Zuni Festival of Arts and Culture, May 23 & 24
Gala Event, June 13
Hopi Festival of Arts and Culture, July 4 & 5
Navajo Rug Auction, July 18
Navajo Festival of Arts and Culture, August 8 & 9
Celebraciones de la Gente, Oct. 24 & 25
STEAM Second Saturday: Fun with Fish
Feb. 8, 2 pm
Join USGS Fish Biologists for a hands-on look at native fish of the Colorado River and Northern Arizona. Live examples of some of these endangered species will be included as well as plenty of fish activities and crafts for the whole family. The STEAM Second Saturday is included with museum admission and open to kids of all ages.
Open through Febuary 15
The eminent landscape painter Tony Foster is well-known for embarking on long journeys to paint incredible scenes in watercolor. For this series he went even farther, from the world’s vastest canyon to the world’s tallest mountain. The journey juxtaposes the greatest of all wild landscapes—the Grand Canyon (USA) and Mount Everest (Nepal and Tibet).
The Force Is With Our People
Extended through May 25
Whether you’re a Star Wars fan, an art lover, or interested in Native cultures, this exhibition has something to engage everyone. This exhibition features work by more than 20 contemporary Native artists who were influenced by Star Wars and explores the reasons Star Wars resonates with them. It includes fine art, jewelry, pottery, and a full-size robot. Learn more here. Teachers can email the tour coordinator about special school group visits.
February 29, 2020 (one space left)
March 6, 2020 (full, call for waitlist)
Now there are two opportunities to take this day trip. Also known as Chocolate Falls, this dramatic waterfall is 15 feet taller than Niagara Falls. Late February and early March provides a reasonable chance of seeing this waterfall at its most spectacular. Trip highlights include the exploration of the lava flows that created the falls and an opportunity to hike down to the base. Sign up by calling 928-774-5211 ext. 222 or Online.
April 23, 2020
The West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon contains one of our rare Arizona streams that flow year-round. As such, it is an excellent location to explore riparian ecosystems, landscape evolution, and the role of groundwater on the Colorado Plateau. This trip is also timed for the warbler migration, so it is a great opportunity for birdwatching.Sign up by calling 928-774-5211 ext. 222 or Online.
May 2, 2020
Slate Mountain is a small, extinct volcanic dome. The 5- mile trail to the top spirals around the mountain, providing views of the San Francisco Peaks Volcanic Field as it progresses through three of our four forest life zones. In early May we may see wildflowers at the base of the mountain. Sign up by calling 928-774-5211 ext. 222 or Online.
Explore the Grand Canyon
North Rim of the Grand Canyon September 16-19, 2020
Sign up for one of these multi-day trips to hike or raft the Grand Canyon with expert guides. An unforgettable adventure in the Canyon makes a memorable gift. Sign up by calling 928-774-5211 ext. 222 or Online.
Every day beauty
Bathe in beauty with artisanal MudHead soaps. Teresa Ami incorporates ingredients into her cold-pressed soaps that reflect her Hopi culture, such as Hopi tea, blue cornmeal and red clay. The Bookshop has many other items to make everyday a little more wonderful, including compact mirrors by Diné artist Beverly Blacksheep, a variety of earrings and of course, many fascinating books. Check out the used book section for rare treasured tomes.
Even droids like a warm blanket
HOPI-R2 discovered the lovely limited-edition Pendleton blanket in the Museum Shop and couldn’t resist its woolen warmth. Neither should you. The blanket is a work of art, featuring the Sunset Crater katsina doll carved by reknowned Hopi artist Jimmy K., along with symbols of growth, rebirth, and hope. See the full blanket online.
Select Museum of Northern Arizona to support MNA with every purchase when you buy through Amazonsmile.