| Dear Museum Friends,
I know it’s been a little while since you’ve heard from me. It’s been a busy year here at MNA and we are preparing some very special experiences for you this autumn and winter. In addition to our new exhibitions and lively programming, we are introducing a new holiday experience in November that’s sure to become a favorite tradition in Flagstaff and Northern Arizona. There’s lots of information in this newsletter, so I invite you to take a moment and have a look at all that is happening here. Autumn is such a beautiful time in Northern Arizona. I look forward to seeing you at the museum.
Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona |
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Introducing the Snowpine Railway Model Train!
This November, the Museum of Northern Arizona introduces a new seasonal tradition. Snowpine Railway Line is a model train that travels through a miniature world inspired by the landscapes, communities, history, and mystique of the Colorado Plateau, all nestled within the historic Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard. The installation combines craftsmanship, storytelling, and discovery in a welcoming setting.
Visitors of all ages will delight in following the model train on its journey through the courtyard from November 22 through January 31, returning year after year to discover new artist-created scenes and evolving imaginative landscapes in this unique exhibition experience.
The train may be small, but the journey is grand. |
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October 9 Take a Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Take a rare behind-the-scenes tour of our Easton Collection Center. Explore cultural artifacts, natural specimens, and breathtaking art. Learn how the collections are cared for and used in a marvel of environmentally friendly and culturally informed architecture. Each tour is limited to 20 people for a truly personal experience. Tours take place the second Friday of each month and cost $15 for MNA members, $20 for non-members, free for tribal members. Reserve your spot today. |
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October 10 Spooky Science and Freaky Finds
See curious Museum specimens and discover why we keep them. Explore our haunted laboratory and learn about insects and minerals that glow in the dark, see coprolites (fossilized poo) from ancient creatures that once roamed the Colorado Plateau, and meet bugs, living and dead! We’ll have touch tables with real animal skulls and fossils, a spooky craft and an owl pellet dissection station. Costumes welcome! Free with Museum admission. Kids 9 and under free! |
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October 24 & 25 Celebraciones de la Gente
Experience the vibrant traditions of Mexican heritage at the 23rd Annual Celebraciones de la Gente! Join us for a weekend filled with color, culture, and celebration. Held in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, Celebraciones honors the spirit of Día de los Muertos with heartfelt remembrances and joyful festivities. Get your tickets online! |
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October 24 & 25 Sugar Skull Decorating
Join us for Sugar Skull Decorating during Celebraciones de la Gente and take part in a cherished Día de los Muertos tradition. Master decorators will be on hand to help you adorn your own sugar skull to take home. The Sugar Skull Decorating workshops are perfect for kids and adults. You must purchase a $10 ticket in advance for each participant. Admission to Celebraciones de la Gente is an additional fee. Get your tickets online! |
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November 11 Celebrate the Route 66 Centennial with author Roger Naylor
Route 66 turns 100 years old on November 11, 2026. Come celebrate the anniversary at MNA. Author and travel writer Roger Naylor brings the Mother Road’s history and cultural significance to life with his latest book. Arizona Route 66 Road Trip makes the ultimate guide for this epic journey. Naylor is an award-winning Arizona author and a resident of Cottonwood. Naylor’s work has appeared in USA Today, The Guardian, Country Magazine, Arizona Highways, Route 66 Magazine, and dozens more. |
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November 14 Michael Kabotie: An Artistic Visionary
Artist, musician and educator, Ed Kabotie will share stories and artwork from his father, Michael Kabotie, who was a founding member of the Artist Hopid Collective. This talk compliments our exhibit Artist Hopid Unveiled which explores the bold vision of Artist Hopid, a groundbreaking collective formed in 1973 by Hopi artists Michael Kabotie, Delbridge Honanie, Terrance Talaswaima, Neil David Sr., and Milland Lomakema. The Museum of Northern Arizona extends its gratitude to the Terra Foundation for American Art for support of the Artist Hopid Unveiled exhibition. |
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December 5 & 6 Winter Market & Open House
Shop for that perfect, one-of-a-kind gift and enjoy your favorite galleries at our annual Winter Market & Open House on December 5 and 6. A holiday market takes over the Museum’s Branigar Chase Discovery auditorium and Living Room, highlighting 25 Indigenous artists from the Colorado Plateau. They will showcase and sell their unique art, ornaments, jewelry, pottery, apparel, weavings, and more. Bring the whole family—there will be winter storytime, crafts, and other activities for kids. MNA Members: Join us for an early shopping experience beginning at 9 a.m.
Admission to the Museum is free this weekend thanks to generous support from APS. |
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$10 Sunday Admission for Locals
Northern Arizona neighbors, this one’s for you! Enjoy $10 Sunday admission at the Museum all year long in 2026—a savings of up to $8 per person. Spend your Sunday exploring the art, science, culture, and dinosaurs of the Colorado Plateau. Just mention where you live at the admission desk. Eligible counties: Mohave, Yavapai, Coconino, Navajo, and Apache. Excludes special events and festivals. Make it a Sunday tradition—we can’t wait to welcome you. |
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Open through April 30, 2027
Explore the bold vision of Artist Hopid, a ground-breaking collective formed in 1973 by Hopi artists Michael Kabotie, Delbridge Honanie, Terrance Talaswaima, Neil David Sr., and Milland Lomakema.
Working at a moment of cultural change, these artists created a new visual language that spoke to audiences beyond Hopi. Their work blends humor, movement, and meaning with contemporary styles. |
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Open through January 3, 2027
Step into a world of vast horizons, rugged canyons, and quiet solitude with Call of the Colorado Plateau. This immersive exhibition invites visitors to explore the profound impact of nature on the human spirit. Artists and adventurers drawn to stunning landscapes figure prominently, yet the show goes beyond the visual with multisensory experiences that capture the essence of being in the wilds. |
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Wagon Road to Mother Road
Open through January 31, 2027
Explore the evolution of U.S. Highway 66, from its alignment with the Beale Wagon Road to its profound impact on northern Arizona. Based on MNA research, the show reveals captivating stories about the wild side of the iconic highway—including tales of drinking and driving, breakdown camps, and car crashes. Gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring legacy of Route 66 and American road travel. |
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Ongoing
Explore the tradition and artistry of Hopi katsina dolls in a new MNA installation. Selected with consultation from Hopi cultural leaders, the dolls on display are from the museum’s extensive collection—rotating in the exhibit every six months. The rotations will examine a variety themes, providing insight into the origin, cultural importance, and artistic heritage of katsina dolls. |
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This beautiful sculpture by Diné artist John C. Whiterock is available in the Museum Gift Shop. Whiterock was inspired by his mother, Cecelia, a potter. Whiterocks sculptures are made from clay found on the mesa behind his home in Tuba City, Arizona. Step inside the Museum Gift Shop to explore more handmade jewelry by Hopi, Diné (Navajo), Santo Domingo, and other Native artists. You can also shop online at shopmusnaz.org. |
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