Kay Lockridge

Nine years ago, Gabriel Vigil had to make a choice: He could turn pro after nine years in amateur boxing and get a day job, or the santero could pursue his art full-time.
Fortunately, for his many collectors, students and the Spanish Colonial art world generally, Vigil chose his art.
Now 32, Vigil was a flyweight with a 48-12 record when he made the fateful decision. His shoulder was dislocated during his last fight and, while recuperating, he got a "big commission" and met the woman who would become his wife, Amy Ferns.
"She probably had something to do with my decision, too," Vigil said. "Bottom line was, I knew I wanted to do my art."
He began fighting at 1...

More than the nation's oldest continuously used public building, the 400-year-old Palace of the Governors is the crown jewel of Santa Fe's historical education and research center on the Plaza.

"The opening of the History Museum frees the Palace to be what it has been for centuries: Our state's most important artifact, witness to 400 years of history," said Frances Levine, director of the Palace of the Governors and the History Museum. "It can be itself once again, the jewel that it is, no longer just a showcase and repository for thousands of other artifacts and records."

What began as the home of the Spanish colonial governors became a museum when preservationists sav...

Native Treasures Indian Arts Festival -- biggest little Indian art show -- is bringing its fifth annual show to the Santa Fe Community Convention Center this weekend.

The show, sponsored by the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, traditionally has been held on Museum Hill. This year, the show is coming downtown to coincide with the opening of the New Mexico History Museum during Memorial Day weekend.

"The move means we can have more artists, and we won't have to worry about the weather," said Ardith Eicher, co-chairwoman of Native Treasures. "There's going to be so much excitement Memorial Day Weekend with the opening of the history museum and with Native Treasures moving dow...

Sculptor Upton Ethelbah Jr. might have gotten a late start in creating his art, but he's been making up for lost time ever since.

The 66-year-old Vietnam veteran, who signs his work Greyshoes, began sculpting at 54 after a lifelong career in education and social work. He is the featured artist at the fifth annual Native Treasures Festival of Arts show benefiting the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture over Memorial Day Weekend. He will receive the MIAC Living Treasure Award at the show's Benefit Pre-Sale Gala Friday night, May 22. Both the Gala and the show will be at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, near the Plaza where the New Mexico History Museum will have its grand opening Sun...

If love makes the world go 'round, it's music that provides the vehicle. And, there's no better place to experience a variety of music -- from classical to karaoke -- than summer in Santa Fe.

Visitors and locals alike can enjoy cool jazz presented weekly by GiG and/or opera at the world-renowned Santa Fe Opera nightly in July and August, as well as every kind of music in between. There's music for every taste, and serendipity may provide the opportunity to discover musical tastes you never knew you had.

Beginning its 58th summer season, the Santa Fe Opera (986-5900, www.santafeopera.org) opens Friday night, July 3, with Verdi's La Traviata, featuring Natalie Dessay in her first-ever perf...