Spanish Colonial Arts Society 2026

SCAS | NMHA is looking ahead to an exciting new season—one that strengthens both the future of our organization and the way we serve our community through art, history, and education.

Now Hiring: Director of Leadership Giving

SCAS | NMHA is currently seeking to hire a Director of Leadership Giving. This role is ideal for an experienced fundraiser who believes in building something lasting—someone who understands that sustainable support is what allows a museum and cultural organization to grow, care for collections, expand programming, and remain a steady presence for generations to come. If you are passionate about relationship-based fundraising and want your work to directly impact the long-term health of an organization rooted in New Mexico’s living heritage, this opportunity may be the right fit.

Upcoming Classes: Sign Up Today

This winter, SCAS | NMHA is offering four enriching classes in collaboration with our community partner, the Santa Fe Community College Continuing Education Department. Courses will be led by E Boyd Curator and Museum Director Jana Gottshalk, alongside special guest instructors, and will take place on our museum campus—along with the debut of a one-day course hosted at the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado Santa Fe.

These classes invite participants to explore New Mexico’s artistic traditions through hands-on learning, deeper historical context, and behind-the-scenes access that you won’t find in a typical lecture setting. Whether you’re a lifelong New Mexican, a curious learner, or someone wanting to better understand the arts that shape this region, these sessions are designed to be lively, welcoming, and full of discovery.

A World of Influence: The Extraordinary Arts of New Mexico

New Mexico has long been described as a place “frozen in time,” but the truth is far more layered—and far more interesting. This one-day class takes a closer look at the art forms that make New Mexico so distinctive by exploring origin stories of straw appliqué, tinwork, retablos, and more. Participants will examine how these traditions reflect the influence of many cultures from around the world, shaping a creative legacy that continues to evolve. A Four Seasons lunch is included, making this a full experience of art, place, and conversation.

Deep Dive: The Unique Arts of New Mexico

Hosted at the Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Arts Museum, this course offers an in-depth, immersive look into New Mexico’s art traditions through a dynamic mix of lectures, exhibit tours, behind-the-scenes collections access, artist talks, and artist workshops. Sessions may include visits to textile storage to learn about historic and contemporary weavings and colcha with a textile expert, hands-on work with award-winning artists, and opportunities to meet conservators to hear about the projects that help preserve heritage for the future. It’s part learning, part access, and all built to deepen appreciation for the work that happens both in public galleries and in the spaces visitors rarely see.

Chocolate: Ceremony, Politics, and High Society

Chocolate has a history that stretches far beyond dessert. This class explores the cultural journey of chocolate use through ceremony, politics, and high society—beginning with Indigenous peoples of the present-day Americas thousands of years ago and moving into colonial Spain. Through paintings, specialized drinking vessels, and historic accounts, participants will follow the changing role of drinking chocolate and its rise in popularity. The session concludes with a sampling of a historic recipe, bringing the story to life in the most memorable way possible.

Mexico in the 18th Century: Social History and Casta Paintings

This course is a collaborative effort between State Historian Rob Martinez and Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Arts Museum Curator Jana Gottshalk. Rob explores the social history of 18th-century Mexico, while Jana examines the same world through the lens of Casta paintings. Together, they tell the story of cultures colliding, social categories shifting, and how a style of painting originally meant to reinforce hierarchy became powerful for very different reasons. It’s a course that combines scholarship with storytelling—offering a vivid window into how art both reflects and reshapes society.

With Gratitude: Thank You, Community

As we step into 2026, we want to pause and say thank you. To our community—donors, presenters, event participants, community partners, and friends—thank you for being part of the Society’s 2025 Centennial Year Celebrations. It was a spectacular year, and we are deeply grateful for the support, energy, and presence you brought to every moment. We look forward to welcoming you back to the museum in 2026 for what’s next.