Museum of Northern Arizona — November at MNA

Message from Mary – I hope to see you this weekend at the opening of Searching for a Bigger Subject, an exhibition of stunning watercolors by Tony Foster that compares two spectacular  landscapes – the Grand Canyon and Mt. Everest. For centuries, the breathtaking vistas of the Grand Canyon have inspired artists. Their work in portraying and exploring this magical place played a key role in gaining protection for the Grand Canyon as a National Park 100 years ago. Today, artists face the creative challenge of how to add new dimensions or perspectives to the vast canon of the art of this place. Yet, artists are drawn back to this powerful landscape again and again. This weekend four artists who have taken up this challenge –  Bruce Aiken, Merrill Mahaffey, Dawn Sutherland, and Curt Walters – will discuss their artistic practice and approach to this subject. I encourage you to join them and curator Alan Petersen in this insightful conversation.

Executive Director & CEO

Museum of Northern Arizona

100 Years of Grand Canyon Art – Panel Discussion

Nov. 16, 2 pm

Learn about the influence that the Grand Canyon has had in art throughout the past 100 years. Artists Bruce Aiken, Merrill Mahaffey, Dawn Sutherland, and Curt Walters will explore the impact and significance of one of the worlds most natural wonders.

Tha ‘Yoties XIT Tribute

Nov. 23, 2 pm

In the 1970s, the Native American rock band XIT was the soundtrack of the American Indian Movement. Tha ‘Yoties, whose music addresses the cultural concerns of the Indigenous population of the Four Corners region, will perform a tribute to XIT to raise awareness for the issues broached almost 50 years ago that continue to effect Indigenous people today.

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. The Yavapai used to occupy an area of approximately 20,000 mi² from the San Francisco Peaks to the north to the Pinaleno Mountains and Mazatzal Mountains to the southeast.

Winter Art Market

Dec. 7, 10 am – 5 pm

Dec. 8, 12 pm – 5 pm

Buy traditional and contemporary art from the diverse set of communities on the Colorado Plateau, and learn about their rich artistic and cultural tradition. 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.

The Force Is With Our People

Open now

Whether you’re a Star Wars fan, an art lover, or interested in Native cultures, this exhibition has something to engage everyone. This exhibition features work by more than 20 contemporary Native artists who were influenced by Star Wars and explores the reasons Star Wars resonates with them. It includes fine art, jewelry, pottery and a full-size robot. Learn more here. Teachers can email about 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 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

Lend a hand, and a strong back

Another day of trailwork is being planned to continue improvements on that Rio de Flag Nature Trail beside the museum. This trail is a hidden gem winding through a small canyon, a grove of aspen trees and to a small pond. To help out contact Mari Soliday at (928) 774-5211 x275.

Explore the Grand Canyon in comfort

Enjoy an armchair exploration of the Grand Canyon with classic issues of MNA’s Plateau magazine. “Arizona’s Grand Canyon” contains nine stories encompassing the canyon’s geology, ecology, history, erosion, and the joys of rafting the river. Grand Canyon Biology summarizes the living things in the canyon, and how they are impacted by people. Browse the collection of other past Plateau magazines in the bookshop or online.

Beaded beauties

For these beautiful necklaces, Dine’ artist Rena Charles adapts designs from rugs to the beadloom. Her necklaces have earned awards from the Gallup Ceremonial and the MNA Navajo Festival. These and other necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings can be found in the MNA store and online.

An artfully made bed

A bedroom is more than a place to sleep. It’s a retreat from the realities of day. That starts with covers that bring joy, like the colorful commemorative Pendleton blanketfeaturing the Sunset Crater katsina. The limited edition wool blankets warm both body and spirit while supporting the Museum of .