The autumn brings some stellar gallery presentations to Northern New Mexico this year. No matter if it’s full of paintings, photographs, or sculptures, these art shows introduce you to new ideas.
Fall Art Shows in Northern New Mexico 2026
Big Summer Show
Parsons Gallery of the West, Through August 31
Celebrating New Mexico artistry, this annual celebration will show new work from over 20 local artists. This month-long exhibit held in Parson’s historic building is an announcement of summer, featuring picturesque landscapes from John Moyers, Jerry Jordan, Spike Ress and more, and romantic still lifes from Mary Dolph Wood. This show is filled with prominent Taos and surrounding-area artists, making it a celebration of community and excellence.
Fritz Scholder, The Raw Immediacy and Chromatic Vibrations of Fritz Scholder’s Prints
Zane Bennett Contemporary Art, Through September 5
Scholder’s work defies the “noble savage” trope by replacing romanticized imagery with the stark, human reality of Indigenous life within a society. Utilizing wild, Fauvist-inspired colors, his prints depict subjects navigating the unrelenting pressures of American culture. These figures, shown consuming ice cream or beer, challenge stereotypes and ultimately reveal dark and complex layers of identity in a world conditioned by Western progress.
Jessica Gross & Mark Weaver, Inter-Act
Harwood Art Center, Through September 12
The featured work of two printmakers, Mark Weaver and Jessica Gross, emerges from an engagement with materials, time, and the natural world. Weaver creates relief prints of woodcuts; these intricate black and white images range from abstract form to natural pictorials. In contrast, Gross explores the complex connections between humanity, the botanical world, and other living creatures within the landscape. Her compositions encourage observers to reevaluate their personal perceptions and ingrained beliefs regarding the environment and the diverse beings that inhabit it.
The Rest is Drag
516 ARTS, Through October 10
Curated by Olivia Amaya Ortiz and featuring 13 artists, The Rest Is Drag commemorates the Route 66 centennial by exploring the iconic corridor as a vibrant site of cultural invention and visibility. Utilizing the broad definition of ‘drag’ as a tool for personal expression and societal construction, this exhibit focuses on Indigenous resurgence and LGBTQIA+ narratives within the framework of the American Dream. Through works that reclaim the highway from its mythic Americana origins, the show highlights how diverse communities have historically occupied and reimagined these spaces on their own terms.
Breaking the Rules of Looking (A Touchable Art Show)
Weems Gallery, August 28 – September 26, 2026, Opening reception: August 28, 6 – 8 p.m.
Challenging the primacy of the visual, this exhibition invites visitors to engage with art through the often- neglected sense of touch. By presenting a compelling array of tactile works, the show encourages viewers to break traditional gallery rules and physically explore the textures, shapes, and materials on display. This immersive experience bridges the gap between seeing and feeling, fostering a deeper, multi-sensory understanding of the artistic form. It serves as the inaugural chapter in a broader series dedicated to activating our full sensory landscape through art.
Lama Gyurme and Laura Baum, Where Deities Reside
OmniHum, August 28 – November 1, Opening reception: August 28, 5 p.m.
Showcasing the partnership between Laura Baum of Ramah, New Mexico, and Santa Fe-based Tibetan master Lama Gyurme, this exhibition merges traditional Buddhist deities with Southwestern vistas to offer a modern perspective on Buddhist iconography. Lama Gyurme Rabgye’s fluid, spontaneous linework reacts vibrantly to Baum’s evolving “Po Mo” landscapes. Within this innovative setting, the deities dwell, serving as a poignant reminder of the holiness of our surroundings. This is art that provides the room necessary for transformation and illuminates the inherent grace in every passing second.
Emelie Richardson
Folklore, September 12 – November 16
Integrating chance and improvisation into the rigorous craft of weaving, Emelie Richardson produces handwoven paintings that dissolve the distinction between fine art and traditional craft. Her process embraces the inherent unpredictability of fluid lines and forms, allowing the materials themselves to guide the final composition. Through this spontaneous approach, Richardson emphasizes the delicate variations in tonality and surface texture that emerge throughout her work.
Rania Matar, Where Do I Go?
Obscura Gallery, October 2 – November 21, Artist reception and book signing: October 24, 1-3 p.m.
Coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the Lebanese Civil War, Matar explores the endurance of the human spirit amidst profound instability. Decentering destruction, the images are a powerful testament to resilience and humility. Her work invites the viewer to witness the quiet strength found in the wake of upheaval, bridging the chasm between personal narrative and universal experience.
Jeffrey Newmann and Nathaniel Tetsuro Paolinelli
Richard Levy Gallery, October 28 – December 5, Artist reception: November 6, 6-8 p.m.
In a tribute to the legacy of Route 66, the exhibition brings together the distinctive perspectives of Jeffrey Newmann and Nathaniel Tetsuro Paolinelli. Newmann presents a collection of hyper-realistic paintings, documenting the legendary landmarks along the historic highway. Paolinelli focuses on the legacy of low rider culture, using documentary photography to illustrate the pride and meticulous artistry found within New Mexico’s automotive traditions. By focusing on the individuals who define these spaces and machines, the joint exhibition celebrates the enduring cultural heritage and community spirit of Route 66.
Esther Elia
Hecho A Mano, November 6 – November 29
Inspired by Afghan textiles, Esther Elia blends ancestral traditions with modern perspectives. Her sculptures use the grid of rugs and tiles to reference Afghan war rugs, where weavers once depicted Soviet weapons. By mixing her own experience with ancient themes, she creates modern, symbolic figures of Assyrian deities.
Story by Natassja Santistevan
Featured Art From D.C. ALLEN (Baaa t’ – chlish, Del Curfman) (Crow Tribe of Montana), Seen Anew, Reclaiming Indigenous Landscapes
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