Dear Museum Friends,
May brings a sense of anticipation at the Museum of Northern Arizona as we prepare for a vibrant summer season of exhibitions, programs, and other opportunities to connect with the Colorado Plateau. Before the busy months ahead, we invite you to enjoy a special start to the season with a colorful new exhibition and a day dedicated to celebrating museums as places of discovery and community.
Artist Hopid Unveiled, opens May 16 in the Courtyard Gallery and highlights the groundbreaking collective formed in 1973 by Hopi artists Michael Kabotie, Delbridge Honanie, Terrance Talaswaima, Neil David Sr., and Milland Lomakema. Drawn from MNA’s fine art collection, including recent acquisitions, the exhibition explores how these artists created bold contemporary visuals rooted in Hopi life, tradition, and storytelling. Presented in three thematic installations, the exhibition offers fresh perspectives on modern identity and cultural continuity.
We also look forward to celebrating International Museum Day on May 16 with free admission and activities for all ages. From hands-on art and science experiences to touch tables, guided tours, and family-friendly exploration throughout the Museum, it’s a chance to experience MNA as a place of creativity, learning, and connection.
I hope you’ll join us at the Museum as we welcome the season ahead.
Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona
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Free Museum Admission May 16
Celebrate International Museum Day with us May 16. Enjoy free admission and hands-on activities for all. Explore creativity, history, and culture through interactive experiences across the galleries. Kids and families can make their own dinosaur armor, build a clay road, design a popsicle stick bridge, and create a wooden car. Visitors can also dive deeper into Wagon Road to Mother Road exhibit with Route 66 Bingo and a bicycle ride from MNA to Mother Road Brewing. |
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June 6 Party on the Plateau Tickets
Join us for MNA’s biggest fundraiser of the year in support of our work to share the art, science, and culture of the magical Colorado Plateau with a wide and growing audience! The party is Saturday, June 6, and starts at 5 p.m. on MNA’s patio followed by dinner and fundraising activities under the big tent. Tickets are moving fast. Reserve your place today. Can’t make it to the celebration but still want to support the museum’s mission? Please click here to donate. |
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Heritage Festival June 26-28
We’re excited to welcome you to the annual Heritage Festival of Arts & Culture June 26-28 at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Honoring the Native American traditions of the Colorado Plateau, the festival is a unique opportunity to connect with Indigenous artists and cultural experiences while shopping stunning artwork sold directly by the artists. It all kicks off Friday with a juried art competition and members preview followed by two days of shopping and celebration. |
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Terra Foundation Supports MNA Exhibit
We’re proud to announce major support from the Terra Foundation for American Art for our new Artist Hopid Unveiled exhibition. The Terra Foundation supports organizations and individuals locally and globally with the aim of fostering intercultural dialogue and expanding narratives of American art. Their generous support helps us to share the work and legacy of Artist Hopid, the bold visionary Hopi collective formed in 1973. The exhibition opens on May 16. |
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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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$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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Opens May 16, 2026
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 4, 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 27, 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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| Let your creative spirit thrive. Learn how to paint or draw or take a nature journaling course. Classes are taught by local artists in Discovery Village on the beautiful campus of the Museum of Northern Arizona. Learn more and register. |
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This Fox Turquoise necklace is made by Diné and Jemez jeweler Marcella Beall with stones from a now closed Nevada mine. Beall was raised in Chinle and influenced by a long line of artists and jewelry makers. She makes necklaces and bracelets from a colorful mix of turquoise and other natural stones. See this piece and more treasures in our Museum Gift Shop or shop online at shopmusnaz.org. |
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Dear Museum Friends,
