Fodor's Expert Review Pablita Velarde Museum of Indian Women in the Arts

This small, new museum near the Cathedral Basilica has an important and relevant mission for this part of the world: to celebrate and showcase the extensive accomplishments of the country's indigenous female artists, beginning with the museum's namesake, Pablita Velarde (1918–2006), who was born at Santa Clara Pueblo (near Española) and went on to paint for the WPA and then to exhibit her vibrant watercolors and "earth paintings" (using pigments she created from local minerals) nationally and internationally. Exhibits here focus on not just visual artists but also musicians, poets, filmmakers, and other creative talents who have contributed to the growing body of art by Native women.