For people who like art, Santa Fe is a mecca. From hundreds of galleries to dozens of amazing museums, you can certainly spend endless hours absorbing all the talent – both old and new. Santa Fe has always been a sanctuary for makers, storytellers, and collectors. But where do you start? This month, after my series diving into the secret vaults of Europe, I’m letting you in on where I go to refuel my design energy and get fresh doses of creative inspiration back home in the high desert.

Here are the five local museums I turn to most:

1. New Mexico History Museum
If it’s your first time in Santa Fe, I highly recommend kickstarting your trip right on the Plaza at the New Mexico History Museum. It offers a fascinating narrative tracing the centuries-old meeting of Indigenous, Spanish, and Western trade routes. Santa Fe was historically the end of the Santa Fe Trail – a place where trade goods, silver, and exotic stones changed hands. Understanding this rich, complicated history changes the way you see the region. (If you want a great read before your trip, I highly recommend Hampton Sides’ Blood and Thunder). As someone who spends years tracking down rare, non-traditional gemstones from all over the world, I feel a deep kinship with Santa Fe’s long history as a gathering spot for nature’s treasures.

2. Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
Next stop? The Wheelwright. After you’ve learned about the historical bits of New Mexico, feast your eyes on the Wheelwright’s historic silversmithing exhibit, which features an incredible collection of Native American jewelry highlighting early Navajo and Pueblo lapidary traditions. You get a vivid idea of how early artists worked with native turquoise, silver, and coral to create pieces deeply imbued with cultural identity. As a jeweler, being able to examine those hand-cut stones and settings and explore such a wide array of distinct Indigenous styles all in one place is an eye-opening experience.

3. Museum of International Folk Art
By now you’re getting hungry, so head next door to Weldon’s café on Museum Hill to refuel. Then, walk fifty yards to the Museum of International Folk Art. I just love the permanent exhibition here, which houses the world’s largest collection of global folk art from virtually every continent. The whimsical layout is unlike anything you’ve seen in a museum before, and the vibrant space really makes you think about how humans across the world have always felt a fundamental drive to tell stories through tangible objects. Walking through, I see something new every time – and I’m constantly reminded to reflect on the stories I tell with my own jewelry. 

4. Vladem Contemporary
Now that you’ve filled up on historic craft, pivot to Santa Fe's modern art movement. Located in the Railyard District, Vladem Contemporary is one of the city's newest architectural landmarks. It’s a striking building that isn’t huge and doesn’t overwhelm you, making it the perfect entry point for contemporary New Mexican art. The museum focuses on regional artists who are pushing boundaries while honoring their Southwestern roots. I love coming here to see all the fresh ideas from fellow artists who are so influenced by New Mexico and the land around them – just like me!

5. SITE Santa Fe
Just steps away from the Vladem, SITE Santa Fe is an internationally renowned contemporary arts center. There is no permanent collection; instead, it hosts constantly evolving, cutting-edge exhibitions and biennials that frequently experiment with light, negative space, and industrial materials. Stepping into its bright, expansive spaces forces you to think outside the box – always inspiring and encouraging me to experiment with the light of cut stones, clean geometry and unexpected metal combinations in my own work.

Planning your trip?

Once you’ve finished soaking in the museums, wander down Canyon Road and visit me at my gallery. I’d love to hear about what you saw and show you how these influences come together in my latest jewelry collections!