About the Museum of International Folk Art: Museum of International Folk Art
The Museum of International Folk Art opened in 1953, and has gained national and international recognition as the home of the world's largest collection of folk art, with more than 135,000 objects from over 100 countries.

Due to State Employee furloughs, the Museum will be CLOSEDFriday January 15, Friday March 5, Friday April 2 and Friday May 28, 2010.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

Founded by Florence Dibell Bartlett, the museum has four wings: the original Bartlett wing, the Girard wing (1982), the Hispanic Heritage wing (1989), and the Neutrogena wing (1998). Visitor's are encouraged to explore Lloyd's Treasure Chest, in the basement of the Neutrogena wing, to get closer to collection items and see how museums care for collections.

Public programs related to exhibitions are offered at the museum throughout the year.
 

Hispanic Heritage Wing:
A Century of Masters: The NEA Heritage Fellows of New Mexico


Featuring the works of National Heritage Fellowship Artists from New Mexico: George López (artist, woodcarver, deceased) 1982 Margaret Tafoya (Santa Clara potter, deceased) 1984 Cleofes Vigil (storyteller, singer, deceased) 1984 Helen Cordero (Cochiti potter, deceased) 1986 Emilio & Senaida Romero (artists, tinwork and colcha embroidery, deceased) 1987 Frances Varos Graves (colcha embroiderer, deceased) 1994 Ramón José López(artist, santero and silversmith) 1997 Roberto & Lorenzo Martinez (musicians) 2003 Charles M. Carrillo (artist, santero) 2006 Esther Martinez (San Juan storyteller, deceased) 2006 Eliseo & Paula Rodriguez (artists, straw appliqué) 2004 Irvin Trujillo (Rio Grande weaver) 2007.  Programing scheduled
through to closing,  May 22, 2011.
 

Neutrogena Wing:

Material World: Treasures form the Textile Collection
Opening reception Sunday December 20, 2009 1 -4 pm.
Material World presents 138 rarely-seen items  highlighting the remarkable breadth and depth of 20,000 objects ranging from everyday household articles to elaborately detailed ceremonial wear in the Museum's textile collection.

The exhibition is accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue authored by exhibition curator Bobbie Sumberg.  Curator Bobbie Sumberg says, "Making and embellishing textiles can be a powerful tool of socialization and a reflection of cultural values. By looking at the production and use of textiles, numerous aspects of history and culture become illuminated. For example, gender roles within a family and within a society or culture are usually played out when cloth is made and worn." The exhibition closes at the Museum of International Folk Art on September 11, 2011.

For more information, contact Aurelia Gomez at 505-476-1211 or aurelia.gomez@state.nm.us

Lloyd's Treasure Chest:
Lloyd's Treasure Chest
Opening December 2, 2009 Winter Holiday Traditions from Around the World

Lloyd's Treasure Chest offers visitors interactive displays about collections and how museums care for collections.  Here, visitors have the opportunity to experience the behind-the-scenes museum activities and gain insight into aspects of preservation and conservation relating to the diverse works, and see videos about folk artists.  For more information, contact Aurelia Gomez at 505-476-1211 or aurelia.gomez@state.nm.us
 

The Girard Wing:
Multiple Visions: A Common Bond
In the Girard Wing

It is entirely possible to be both delighted and overwhelmed by the Alexander Girard’s one-of-a-kind exhibition—even after twenty-five years. The vastness of the exhibit space, the complexity of the design, the sheer quantity of objects on display—the immensity and intensity can be overpowering. And compelling.That’s why Multiple Visions: A Common Bond has been the destination for well over a million first-time and repeat visitors to the Museum of International Folk Art.
This gallery will close in January 2010 while the lighting and heating and cooling systems are upgraded; the exhibition will re-open in June, 2010.  Virtual tours of the exhibition will be available during this time when the gallery is being renovated.