Santa Fe (Tewa: Ogha Po'oge, Navajo: Yootó) is the capital of New Mexico. Santa Fe is also the oldest capital city in the United States. Santa Fe (meaning “holy faith” in Spanish) had a population of 69,204 in 2012. The city’s full name when founded was La Villa Real de la Santa Fé de San Francisco de Asís (“The Royal Town of the Holy Faith of St. Francis of Assisi”).
Arts and culture:
The city is well known as a center for arts that reflect the multicultural character of the city; it has been designated as a UNESCO Creative City in Design, Crafts and Folk Art.[36] Each Wednesday the alternative weekly newspaper, The Santa Fe Reporter, publishes information on the arts and culture of Santa Fe; and each Friday, the daily Santa Fe New Mexican publishes Pasatiempo, its long-running calendar and commentary on arts and events.
In 2012, the city was listed among the 10 best places to retire in the U.S. by CBS Money Watch and U.S. News.
Visual art and galleries:
The city and the surrounding areas have a high concentration of artists. They have come over the decades to capture the natural beauty of the landscape, the flora and the fauna. One of the most well-known New Mexico–based artists was Georgia O'Keeffe, who lived for a time in Santa Fe, but primarily in Abiquiu, a small village about 50 mi (80 km) away. The New Mexico Museum of Art and Georgia O'Keeffe Museum own several of her works. O'Keeffe's friend, western nature photographer Eliot Porter, died in Santa Fe.
Canyon Road, east of the Plaza, has the highest concentration of art galleries in the city, and is a major destination for international collectors, tourists and locals. The Canyon Road galleries showcase a wide array of contemporary, Southwestern, indigenous American, and experimental art, in addition to Russian, Taos Masters, and Native American pieces.
Sculpture:
There are many outdoor sculptures, including many statues of Francis of Assisi, and several other holy figures, such as Kateri Tekakwitha. The styles run the whole spectrum from Baroque to Post-modern. Notable sculptors connected with Santa Fe include John Connell, Luis Jiménez, Rebecca Tobey and Allan Houser.
Literature:
Numerous authors followed the influx of specialists in the visual arts. Well-known writers like D.H. Lawrence, Cormac McCarthy, Kate Braverman, Douglas Adams, Roger Zelazny, Alice Corbin Henderson, Mary Austin, Witter Bynner, Dan Flores, Paul Horgan, Rudolfo Anaya, George R. R. Martin, Mitch Cullin, Evan S. Connell, Richard Bradford, John Masters, Jack Schaefer, Michael Tobias, Hampton Sides and Michael McGarrity are or were residents of Santa Fe. Walker Percy lived on a dude ranch outside of Santa Fe before returning to Louisiana to begin his literary career.
Music, dance, and opera:
The Santa Fe Opera's productions take place between late June and late August each year. The city also hosts the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival which is held at about the same time, mostly in the St. Francis Auditorium and in the Lensic Theater. Also in July and August, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale holds its summer festival. Santa Fe has its own professional ballet company, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, which performs in both cities and tours nationally and internationally. Santa Fe is also home to internationally acclaimed Flamenco dancer's Maria Benitez Institute for Spanish Arts which offers programs and performance in Flamenco, Spanish Guitar and similar arts year round. Other notable local figures include the National Dance Institute of New Mexico and German New Age musician Deuter.
Museums:
Santa Fe has many museums located near the downtown Plaza:
- New Mexico Museum of Art – collections of Southwestern Arts.
- Institute of American Indian Arts Museum – Native American arts with political aspects.
- Georgia O'Keeffe Museum – devoted to the work of O'Keeffe and others whom she influenced.
- New Mexico History Museum – located behind the Palace of the Governors.
- Pablita Velarde Museum of Indian Women in the Arts - a museum dedicated to Native Women artists.
- Site Santa Fe – A contemporary art space.
- Santa Fe Children's Museum - a children's museum
Several other museums are located in the area known as Museum Hill:
- Museum of International Folk Art – folk arts from around the world.
- Museum of Indian Arts and Culture – exhibits Native American arts.
- Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian – Native American art and history.
- Museum of Spanish Colonial Art – Tradition arts from the Spanish-colonial era to contemporary times.
Places To Go in New Mexico:
Historic sites and interpretive facilities on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail in New Mexico for you to visit!
http://www.nps.gov/safe/planyourvisit/places-to-go-in-new-mexico.htm
The Great Prairie Highway:
You can almost hear the whoops and cries of "All's set!" as trail hands hitched their oxen to freight wagons carrying cargo between western Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Follow the Santa Fe National Historic Trail through five states and you'll find adventure and evidence of past travelers who made this remarkable trip before you!
http://www.nps.gov/safe/index.htm
Entry from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Fe,_New_Mexico