A couple of weeks ago
we were able to get away
and spend some time in
Santa Fe, New Mexico, one of
our favorite places.
It's a quick 6 1/2 hour trip
depending on the traffic
through Denver and Colorado Springs.
But once passed those cities
the highway
opens up and the traffic
almost disappears.
Santa fe is such a unique place.
Hard to think of it
as the state capital.
We have favorite places
that are always on our list
to stop and enjoy.
Kakawa Chocolate House
Their passion is
authentic and historical
drinking chocolate elixirs and
our passion is always to come by
for a taste test.
We might include
a visit to the 136 year old
Cathedral Basilica of Francis
Of Assisi located
right off the central plaza.
Running Man
seems to fit right into
the Santa fe vibe.
Our main reason for this particular visit
was to check out our daughter's new work place.
It is so nice to have her and her husband
so much closer.
They waved Florida goodbye and
have now settled into the high desert of New Mexico.
Her job involves managing 1000's of objects
in the International Folk Art Museum.
If you have ever been there,
you know what I mean by their massive
collection.
We were given a private tour of the
multiple rooms of onsite storage.
the aisles of preserved quilts.
Each one labeled with it's providence
and history.
Each one archivally stored for a future displays.
They are rolled in an inert nylon film called dartek which
acts as a barrier against pests, dust, etc. There is so much more that makes this museum so unique.
face jugs
Mexican cartonería
Can you tell what this horse is made from?
aluminum can pull tabs.
One storage room was filled with some
interesting and unusual animals.
Peek-a-boo, we see you!
Lots of folk people from
every country and nationality
just waiting for their turn to go on display.
Everyone is labeled
indexed and accounted for.
Some don't mind being in a cupboard,
but others get pretty grumpy.
Most museums only can exhibit about 5-10% of their collections at a time.
One of the current exhibits is called
"Dressing with a Purpose"
which examines three Scandinavian dress traditions.
The hand embroidery is exquisite.
Examples include
the traditional on the left
to a modern interpretation on the right
using shopping bags from Ikea.
Santa fe is a wonderful place to visit.
Santa Fe is very cool and unique! I've been through there countless times, last about 1 1/2 yrs. ago and always wish I had more time just to wander. There are certainly TONS of stuff stored there at your daughter's place of employment. It made me wonder how often those works of art are actually on display and for how long. I'm thinking they spend more time in storage than on display. Nice to have a behind the scenes personal visit!
ReplyDeleteI went to the expert for an answer to your question. Most museums only can exhibit about 5-10% of their collections at a time.
DeleteI have always wanted to visit Sana Fe. Thanks for sharing the photos. Sounds like your daughter has a great job. Hugs
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to visit Santa Fe, so thank you for sharing your visits there. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to unroll those quilts and see them in their entirety? Wondering about that clear wrapping material on the quilts, some sort of breathable plastic?
ReplyDeleteI asked Kate exactly what the quilts are covered with. They are rolled in an inert nylon film called dartek which acts as a barrier against pests, dust, etc
DeleteThanks for allowing us to tag along . . . I've always wanted to visit Santa Fe, so your post was a nice treat :)
ReplyDeleteI loved our Visit to Santa Fe some year's ago. We are planning our return to NM to explore the more southern part. Curious what we will find there.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great look inside the secrets of the museum, all those quilts, didn't you want to unwrap them all?
Sounds like you had a lovely trip. Could you just imagine being allowed to unroll and see all of those quilts!! They look wonderful through the nylon. Sounds like she has a pretty cool job! Glad she’s closer to you :0)
ReplyDeleteOh .... I can see many more posts about Santa Fe. It is a magical place for you and your husband and last year you showed us your star quilt in so many different places. Lucky you that your daughter and husband are closer to you now and what a wonderful place for her to work.
ReplyDeleteI am headed there next week...one of my favorite places to visit. And congratulations to your daughter! I visited the museum last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. And best part...she is closer to you.
ReplyDeleteThat was fun - thanks for the tour! Denver Son keeps telling us we must visit Santa Fe; maybe now that pandemic restrictions are easing, we will do some traveling!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kyle, for reminding me of the true culture and charm of Santa Fe.
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing your Santa Fe photos, Kyle! My husband and I were there for a work conference (for him) back in the 90s and I fell in love with it. Your daughter must have such an interesting job! We went to that museum and I'd love to go back some day. Glad you are within driving distance now!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kyle! I really enjoyed your photos of Santa Fe. It looks like a wonderful place to visit. Congratulations to your daughter and her new position at the museum. So glad she is now within driving distance of CO. Wouldn't you just love to spend an entire day looking at those quilts and all the other interesting items in the museum's collections? Seems like you'll be visiting more often :)
ReplyDeleteThe state of Mexico is on the list to visit. How wonderful your dtr has a new job much closer to you. For sure it'll be interesting. The peak into how one museum stores/preserves antique quilts is appreciative. Maybe one day they'll have a quilt exhibit. Thanks for sharing your trip!
ReplyDeleteWOW, what an absolutely wonderful job for your daughter - and now you have an "in" to all of that wonderful folk art... including quilts. It's great to see another post about Santa Fe. Keep them coming, as you visit your daughter.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Santa Fe since I was in my teens, but your post made me wish I could be there again.
ReplyDeleteAnd how wonderful to be able to wander through those aisles of quilts!
Thank you for sharing all the sights.
You make my feet want to travel again. Hoping to do it soon!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing museum and what a fascinating job for your daughter.
Very interesting to see how the quilts are stored.
Wow, thank you for this wonderful photo filled post. I enjoyed it very much. I never would have thought Santa Fe was a capital city either. What marvelous things to see and explore. Congrats to your daughter for having such an interesting job. Oh my...all those wonderful quilts! Immaculate storage. And the other interesting items as well. Thanks again for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun visit you had Kyle! And so cool to have a behind-the-scenes tour! Congrats on having your daughter move closer - makes you a very happy mom, I'm sure! Hubby & I just spent 2-1/2 weeks touring around AZ & NM. We've been to Santa Fe several times so opted to skip it this trip. Sure wish the temps had been a little warmer, but the crazy weather didn't cooperate!
ReplyDeleteHopefully is right! I really love Mexican art and I would love to see this collection. How lovely to have her nearer to you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tour of the behind the scenes. Thanks for such an inspiring post. Great photo of the running man - he looks right at home there.