Museum of Northern Arizona — Thankful at MNA

Message from Mary – In this time of giving thanks, we at MNA have much to be grateful for, starting with the donors who have stepped forward to help us preserve 36 acres of the Colton Meadows. This gives us great hope that we will be able to preserve the remaining 54 acres. We’re also grateful that the Museum Fire didn’t reach the museum, or any other buildings in the community, and for the valiant firefighters who worked so diligently to keep us all safe. Most of all, we are grateful for you, our members, volunteers, and donors. Your generous contributions of time and money enable the Museum of Northern Arizona to thrive and grow. Because of you, we were able to present a vibrant range of exhibitions and programs this year, including the inspiring watercolors of the Grand Canyon and Mount Everest by Tony Foster and The Force Is With Our People. Because of you, 898 students were able to visit the museum on school trips last year, 426 people participated in educational STEAM Second Saturdays, and 497 kids attended Discovery Camps. As this time for giving thanks gives way to end-of-year giving, please remember the Museum of Northern Arizona in your plans. I invite you to join us in many of the activities listed below, to share your passion for MNA with the gift of membership to friends and family, and to visit the museum shop for your holiday gifts.

Mary Kershaw

Executive Director & CEO

Museum of Northern Arizona

Yavapai-Apache Dancers

Nov. 30, performances at 11 am & 2 pm

Bring your family and friends and enjoy a special performance by two traditional Yavapai-Apache dance groups. This is the first time in many years that the Yavapai-Apache dancers have performed in Flagstaff, an area they used to call home.

Winter Art Market

Dec. 7, 10 am – 5 pm

Dec. 8, 12 pm – 5 pm

One road, two days, three art markets and 29 Native artists! Come celebrate the diverse set of communities on the Colorado Plateau and their rich artistic and cultural traditions. Browse pottery, jewelry, baskets, woodcarving, weaving, fashion, prints, fine art, and folk art created by Acoma, Navajo, Hopi, Tewa, and Zuni artists. See the list of artists. This market coincides with markets at the Coconino Center for the Arts and Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy, so its a great day to grab a friend and browse the art markets.

Sedona Muses:

Dec. 5, 9:30 am

Sedona United Methodist Church, 110 Indian Cliffs Rd, Sedona

Peter Pilles, Forest Archaeologist for the Coconino National Forest, will present his newest findings about Arizona’s prehistoric Sinagua culture. The Sedona Muses is an auxiliary organization of the Museum of Northern Arizona. General admission is $5.00. For more information, contact Rebecca DeVault at rebecca9442@gmail.com or (937) 597-3029.

The Force Is With Our People

Temporarily closed; Reopens mid-December

HOPI R2 is wandering the museum, looking for the rest of the exhibition, which features the work of more than 20 contemporary Native artists who were influenced by Star Wars. Those objects have been temporarily stored while contractors fix water damage caused by a burst pipe. The exhibition will reopen in mid-December and then be extended through May 25. Teachers can emailabout special school groups visits.

February 29, 2020

Also known as Chocolate Falls, this dramatic waterfall is 15 feet taller than Niagara Falls. Late February 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 a visit to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Sign up by calling 928-774-5211 ext. 222 or Online.

May 12-15, 2020

Travel with MNA Ventures to experience the beauty and magnificence of the Grand Canyon with seasoned professional guides/educators Helen Ranney and Lisa Kearsley. Each day we will hike a different trail (6 miles round trip or less) returning to a comfortable hotel in the evening. Sign up by calling 928-774-5211 ext. 222 or Online.

September 16-19, 2020

Join Grand Canyon experts, Helen Ranney and Lisa Kearsley, for an in-depth exploration of the North Rim and Kaibab Plateau – an incredible landscape and rich panorama of structural and erosional geology, biological diversity, regional history, and prehistory. After days of hiking, enjoy meals and comfortable lodging on the rim. Sign up by calling 928-774-5211 ext. 222 or Online.

May 7-14, 2021

A seven-day, six-night, fully outfitted motorized rafting trip on the Colorado River with Grand Canyon geologist and expert Wayne Ranney. Find details Online. Sign up by calling 928-774-5211 ext. 222.

A lovely mug for warm, winter drinks

From Shumakolowa Native Arts, Pueblo art latte mugs featuring original designs by Pueblo artists. The original series was created in celebration of the first Native American-owned Starbucks, located in Albuquerque, NM. All of the participating artists receive royalties for each mug sold and portions of the proceeds benefit the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico.  Browse these and other gift-worthy items in the bookshop or online.

Museum Store Sunday

For the third year, museum stores around the world are inviting holiday shoppers to spend where it matters on Sunday, Dec. 1. Buying holiday gifts at the MNA store is a great way to find unique and quality items for people you love, while also supporting a cultural institution you love. Revenue from shop sales supports the museum’s mission. It also helps the many artists who work directly with the museum, and you’ll know you are buying a quality gift. Shop in person or online.

Share the museum you love with the people you love. Membership is a gift that gives all year long and it’s just a click away. This year gift memberships come with your choice of gift card and the 104-page MNA Guidebook, which highlights the exhibitions, collections, and research programs of the Museum of Northern Arizona.