 Message from Mary – With warmer weather and bright sunshine, it feels like we are experiencing the Spring season’s promise of renewal. I feel that too when I walk through the museum and see people enjoying the exhibitions. Looking ahead at the new exhibitions opening and the many in-person activities planned, it’s a time of rebirth within the museum as well.
April 2 will be a very exciting day. It’s the first day to see the newest exhibition, Baje Whitethorne Sr.: Náátsʼíilid/Rainbow Light, which celebrates an artist whose importance stretches far beyond the canvas, touching many lives. That Saturday is also Slow Art Day, when MNA joins with museums around the world in inviting people to slow down and look. Neuroscience has confirmed what ancient artists always knew: we see only a tiny fraction of what is around us. To widen the lens and allow more in, we must slow down.
Slowing down not only helps us see more, but it also brings with it the joy of discovering more. It truly has to be experienced for its impact to be appreciated. Here at MNA, participants can come in starting at 10 am to do the looking, then join Fine Arts Curator Alan Petersen at 2 pm for a discussion about the experience. No experience or knowledge of art is needed – Slow Art Day helps everyone to understand how they personally can interact with works of art in ways that are enriching for them individually.
It will be a memorable experience at a time when we can all benefit from how looking at art can lower your stress level, reduce blood pressure, increase creativity, and leave you with profound insights.
I hope to see you soon at the museum,
Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona
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Winter Hours: Open Thursday through Sunday
Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays
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Viola Awards Finalists
MNA is honored that the exhibition Journey to Balance: Migration and Healing in Three Hopi Murals is a finalist for a Viola Award, and even more honored to be in such good company. Many of those being recognized have been supporters of the museum, from Jim Babbitt, who is being honored inmemoriam with the Legacy Award, to the Flinn Foundation and APS. And many other finalists are frequently seen here at the museum. Tha’ Yoties will again be one of the bands playing this summer at Thirsty Thursday, while artist Charles Decker plans to return to the Heritage Festival in July. Ballet Folklórico de Colores performs each year at MNA’s Celebraciones de la Gente. Together these cultural organizations make Flagstaff a vibrant place to live and we at MNA enjoy working with all our fine fellows.
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Fine art storage
MNA recently completed the installation of brand new cabinets and racks to store the fine art collection within the Easton Collection Center. This state-of-the-art cabinetry was purchased as part of a three year grant from National Endowment for the Humanities, which will also include rehousing 2,044 works on paper. Read more about this art preservation project here.
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Slow Art Day
April 2, in person in the museum
All day with discussion at 2 pm
Rush in, slow down, and take time to really look at pieces of art from our newest exhibition: Baje Whitethorne Sr.: Náátsʼíilid (Rainbow Light). Slow Art Day is a global event to help people discover the joy of art. By looking at each piece of art for 5 full minutes, you return to the moment, see more, and make your own discoveries. Then at 2 pm, join the discussion led by Fine Art Curator Alan Petersen.
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Indigenous children’s authors & poets
April 9, in person in the museum
Children’s authors at 10:30, Poets at 12:30
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Grand Canyon: Worms, Mollusks, Myriapods
April 11, 3 pm via Facebook Live
These groups of invertebrates have been widespread in the Grand Canyon region for the millions of years, but are generally poorly recognized and studied. In this talk Dr. Larry Stevens, MNA’s Curator of Biology will describe their biodiversity, ecological roles, distribution, and how Grand Canyon has affected their biogeography and evolution. Past Grand Canyon talks are found on the YouTube.
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Spring Plant Sale
May 21, 10 am – 2 pm at the Colton Garden
This event will be a one-stop shop for local plant starts and information about how to garden in Flagstaff. The Coconino Community Master Gardeners are working with MNA to hold their plant sale at our Colton Garden and Discovery Village. Besides plant starts and seeds for purchase, there will be garden talks, garden tool repairs and sharpening, kids activities, a bakesale supporting Northland Hospice, and the Dog House food truck.
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Baje Whitethorne Sr: Náátsʼíilid/Rainbow Light
Opens April 2
Bursting with color, this retrospective exhibit presents the full spectrum of art by Baje Whitethorne Sr., a visual storyteller acclaimed for his colorful paintings full of life and energy. Born and raised on the Navajo Reservation, his art often depicts the landscape around his family home near Shonto and the harmony of the Navajo way of life.
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This is the last chance to come see this exhibition, which is in consideration for a Viola Award. Created more than a decade ago by Hopi artists Michael Kabotie and Delbridge Honanie, these large-scale paintings tell a story of the human journey through cycles of chaos and discord to places of wholeness and balance. See it now before this exhibition comes down to make way for a new one.
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These tracks were discovered in November 2020 at a construction site just a couple miles down the road from the museum. The prints are preserved in red sandstone from the Moenkopi Formation, which is estimated to be early to middle Triassic in age (252 to 235 million years). Now they are on view in the Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard.
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MNA Discovery Camps
Dates July 11-15, July 18-22, July 25-29
Ages from 4-14
Discounts for MNA members
You’ll wish these camps were for adults. From creating art in the landscape to learning about plants, culture, and science while cooking (and eating) delicious foods, Discovery Camps are experiences your child will remember. These camps fill fast so sign up soon. Find details and links to register your child at https://musnaz.org/summer-camps/
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Family Fridays: Humor
April 1 at 2:30 pm on Facebook
April Fool’s Day is a time for fun and pranks, so today we look at the role of humor in culture, and some playful examples of how humor shows up in the museum collections. Past Family Friday programs are found in the Family Friday playlist on the MNA YouTube channel. These programs are supported by APS.
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Sundays starting April 3, 1:30-3:30
Taught at MNA’s Discovery Village
Join local nature artist and biologist Liz Blaker at the Museum of Northern Arizona to learn to draw from nature. Each week will focus on a specific plant or animal. Liz will also be leading a summer Nature Journal Club. To find out more and enroll, contact the instructor at To register email elizabethblaker1@gmail.com
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Taught at MNA’s Discovery Village
Potter Chas Frisco teaches ceramics in Milt’s Barn at MNA. Students learn wheel throwing techniques and glazing and decorating pots (low fire). To find out more and enroll, contact the instructor at chasarts101@gmail.com.
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Taught at MNA’s Discovery Village
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Writing Rainbows: Poetry inspired by art
April 24, 2-3:30 pm in person in the museum
Poet Jodie Hollander leads this ekphrastic poetry workshop in the exhibition Baje Whitethorne Sr: Náátsʼíilid/Rainbow Light. Ekphrastic poetry is inspired by art, and Baje’s colorful paintings provide plenty of inspiration. Jodie was a previous writer-in-residence at MNA and author of the poetry book My Dark Horses. This workshop will be her last stop on her visit to Arizona during National Poetry Month.
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Heritage Festival artist deadline
Booth applications due March 31
We invite ALL Native artists from the Colorado Plateau to apply to the 2022 Heritage Festival, which will be held July 1-3. Click here for information on rules, deadlines and how to apply or email to request an application.
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Full-time, part-time, and internship positions open
Whether you are an experienced collections professional looking for a new challenge or a student seeking to gain skills, the museum has several positions open now and more opening soon. These are great opportunities to join a lively, dedicated team and be part of the renaissance of this venerable and forward-looking museum.
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This colorful horse fetish by Zuni artist Kenric Laiwakete was carved from a composite block of spiny oyster, turquoise and pyrite. Horses often represent partnership and strength. Find more Zuni fetishes, as well as jewelry, baskets, and books at the Museum Giftshop, where every purchase supports MNA and the artists. Shop online anytime, or visit during museum hours.
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Select Museum of Northern Arizona to support MNA with every purchase when you buy through Amazonsmile.
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