| Dear Museum Friends,
As the year winds down and the holiday season is in full swing, I invite you to find inspiration and calm at the Museum of Northern Arizona. A great place to start is in our new Poetry Maps exhibition, offering unique perspectives on the landscapes we hold dear.
This coming weekend, we’re hosting our annual Winter Market and Open House, a beloved tradition highlighting Indigenous artistry and craftsmanship. It’s a perfect opportunity to find thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting Indigenous talent. If you’re still searching for something truly unique, take advantage of our Museum Shop. It’s a delightful space where you’ll discover regional handcrafted treasures, surrounded by the quiet charm of the Museum.
Amid the holiday hustle, a visit to the Museum can bring moments of peace and reflection. Whether you’re exploring exhibits or just taking in the season’s beauty, we hope to see you here soon.
Warm wishes for a joyful December, |
| Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona |
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Give to MNA on #GivingTuesday!
Today is Giving Tuesday, a worldwide day of generosity. Your gift to the Museum of Northern Arizona connects visitors with the magic of the Colorado Plateau. In a world that’s increasingly filled with replicas, virtual experiences, and artificially created images, the authentic experiences and connections at MNA matter more than ever! We need your help to launch new exhibits, inspire lifelong learning, and share our research and collections. Please consider making your donation today. Thank you! |
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Winter Market & Open House
December 7 & 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Join us for a festive shopping experience. Find meaningful, one-of-a-kind gifts while celebrating the season and directly supporting Indigenous artists. Artists from across the Colorado Plateau will show and sell paintings, prints, ornaments, jewelry, pottery, T-shirts and more. Kids can enjoy free art and educational activities on both days. Entry to the Museum is free Winter Market weekend thanks to APS, our generous sponsor. |
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Easton Collection Center Tour
January 10, 3-4 p.m.
Take a rare behind-the-scenes tour of MNA’s Easton Collection Center. Learn about the impressive piece of environmentally friendly architecture and see part of the Museum’s extraordinary collection of cultural artifacts, natural specimens, and fine art. This tour is led by seasoned guides and is small, providing art and cultural enthusiasts a closer look at pottery, jewelry, artifacts, paintings, weavings, and more. Space is limited; be sure to register today. |
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Geologic Mapping of the Grand Canyon
January 12, 2 p.m.
Join us for an exploration of the U.S. Geological Survey’s long and fascinating history of geologic mapping in the Grand Canyon region. Ryan Crow of the USGS will share the story of retired geologist George Billingsley, whose work resulted in more than 70 geologic maps covering northern Arizona and southern Utah. He also will discuss how advanced technology is being used to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the geologic evolution of the Grand Canyon region. |
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Archaeology Fieldwork in Glen Canyon
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, encompassing over 1.25 million acres in northern Arizona and southern Utah, protects amazing ancestral sites that showcase the skill and ingenuity of Puebloan people in constructing homes and storage spaces. MNA is proud to work with our National Park Service partners to record sites and preserve these important places. If you come across these sites in the backcountry, please visit with respect. Do not climb or sit on masonry walls, and never remove objects. |
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Apply for Namingha Institute 2025
Applications due January 13
The Namingha Institute Master Class, led by Hopi-Tewa artists Dan Namingha and Arlo Namingha, provides a two-week residency learning experience for early-career artists. The institute is a paid residency held at the Museum of Northern Arizona April 27-May 11. The program is open to all artists 18 years of age or older. Completed applications must be received before 5 p.m. on January 13, 2025. Learn more.Contact us at naminghainstitute@musnaz.org. |
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Gift of Discovery & Connection
Looking for a meaningful holiday gift? Share the wonders of the Museum of Northern Arizona with an MNA Gift Membership! And to make your gift extra special, add on an MNA gift box for only $12. This beautifully presented box includes an exclusive purple MNA logo mug and a coffee coupon to The Station Cafe — all packaged and ready to delight, no wrapping required!
To learn more and purchase, visit musnaz.org/gift-membership or call (928) 774-5211 x285. |
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| Art Classes
Local artists teach classes in ceramics, drawing, watercolor, and landscape painting in Discover Village at MNA. See our classes page for details. |
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Poetry Maps
Showcasing fine art from the Museum of Northern Arizona collections and poems from our community, the Poetry Maps exhibition brings together many viewpoints, expressed in visual art and verse. These paintings and poems serve as a map through place and time, revealing perspectives that form a collective connection to the extraordinary landscapes of the Colorado Plateau. |
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Closes January 19
This highly anticipated exhibition explores the origins, heritage, and ongoing use of an iconic geology map first published by MNA in 1976. Alongside a display of the original map are rocks from the Grand Canyon formations, descriptions of the geologic layers, and bygone map-making instruments. Copies of the map and other related collectibles are for sale in the Museum Gift Shop. |
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Selling the Southwest
Closes January 5
In the early 20th century, travel industry entrepreneurs employed artists to create a sense of wonder and mystery about the American Southwest that attracted tourists and established a romanticized vision that has remained to this day. Many of the artists are now prominent names in the canon of classic Southwest art. See works by Thomas Moran, Louis Akin, and Gunnar Widforss, alongside pottery, rugs, jewelry, and artwork by Indigenous artists. |
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| Acoma Mini Seed Pot
This mini seed pot featuring a desert quail is by Acoma Pueblo artist Diane Lewis. Seed pots are designed with a tiny hole on top to protect seeds from rodents and insects prior to planting season. This and other authentic Native American works are available in our Gift Shop inside the Museum. Shop online at shopmusnaz.org.All proceeds benefit the artists and the Museum of Northern Arizona. |
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