millicentroger

Today is #givingtuesday in the non-profit world and an excellent opportunity to show support for your favorite charities and cultural institutions.  Taos has several excellent museums: the Couse-Sharp Historic Site, Taos Art Museum, the Harwood Museum, Taos Historic Museums, which includes both the Blumenschein House and the Martinez Hacienda, and last but not least, the Millicent Rogers Museum.

The MRM with surrounding views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Like all of the museums in Taos, the MRM supports the local arts community and promotes the unique cultural experiences of northern New Mexico.  Every year we host a variety of exhibits and events for our community, such as our annual Miniature Show and Sale, Taos Pueblo Artists Winter Showcase, Taos Art Club/Teen Art Studio Show, and Holiday Fiesta.  The latter is a free event for local families and is scheduled for this Saturday, December 3rd from 11 to 3 and will feature holiday crafts, snacks, face painting, pictures with Santa, and music and dance performances from local children's groups.

Artist Inger Jirby, Fashion Designer Patricia Michaels, and MRM Executive Director Caroline Jean Fernald
at the museum's annual Miniature Show and Sale

Raffling Off Artworks at the Taos Pueblo Artists Winter Showcase

The MRM presents an exhibition of the Taos Art Club/Teen Art Studio's
work each spring and also hosts drawing classes
at the museum each summer

The Taos Fiesta Royal Court with Santa at the MRM's annual Holiday Fiesta

This year we have been pulling treasures from the collections vault for our special exhibits of Santa Fe Indian School paintings, Native American beadwork, and drawings by Millicent herself.  For 2017, we plan to highlight exciting new additions to our collection in a series of special exhibits on artistic families in Taos, the importance of horses to the local culture of northern New Mexico, the history of feast days in the Southwest, and the spiritual significance of corn in Native American art.  We are also thrilled to unveil a new interactive exhibit that brings together our native plants gardens with artworks in the museum.

Painting by Joe Herrera on view in our Santa Fe Indian School Style exhibit

Buckskin shirt on loan from the Couse Foundation, on view in
Crossing Paths: Beadwork from the MRM and E. Irving Couse Collections

Drawing by Millicent Rogers illustrating a scene from the Little Mermaid,
on view in Millicent as Visionary

Retablo featuring the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe,
which will be included in our upcoming exhibit on Feast Days

Museums rely on charitable donations to fund their exhibitions, events, and daily operations, and the Millicent Rogers Museum is no exception.  Since its founding in 1956 by Millicent Rogers' youngest son, Paul Peralta-Ramos, as a tribute to his late mother, the MRM has had an active role in supporting the local community of Taos, advocating for arts education, and championing our mission of sharing and celebrating the arts and cultures of the Southwest with everyone.  I personally support several cultural institutions and organizations in Taos, such as the MRM (obviously!), Taos Historic Museums, and the Taos Opera Institute, just to name a few.  You can also support your favorite museums by simply visiting (your presence makes a difference!), bringing friends and family, and shopping in the museum's store.  I'm originally from Chicago and visit the city at least once a year if not more.  I have supported my favorite Chicago museums over the years through my regular attendance and through memberships, which are a great way to pledge your annual support to a museum in an amount you can afford (and it usually comes with nice perks!).  Just as I donate to several museums in Taos, I also support the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Newberry Library.  I have always given to institutions that I care about, and as one who works for a truly wonderful museum, I can assure you that even small donations, membership dues, and store purchases make a difference.  In honor of our 60th anniversary and #givingtuesday, I encourage you to show your support of the Millicent Rogers Museum by becoming a member, making a tax-deductible donation, signing up as a volunteer, or visiting the museum.  Thank you for helping in any way you can!