Ancient Way Arts Festival
debuts Saturday

Traditional Zuni Dances will be part of the Ancient Way Arts Festival this weekend. [File Photo]

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff writer

For the last several years, the Ancient Way Fall Festival has celebrated the cultural traditions of communities from Gallup to Zuni, Ramah, El Morro, and Grants.

Now those communities have joined together to celebrate their artistic traditions in a new spring festival. The “Ancient Way Arts Festival” will debut this Saturday and Sunday with a number of different venues featuring local creativity — arts and crafts, entertainment, and food. The following is a list of scheduled weekend events along the Ancient Way Arts Trail.

Saturday, May 31

• El Morro/Highway 53, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..: Ancient Way Arts Festival, along Highway 53. The Old School Gallery (505-783-4710), El Morro RV Park and Cafe (783-4612), and Inscription Rock Trading & Coffee Company (783-4706), all located one mile east of El Morro National Monument on Highway 53, will host events featuring arts and crafts, art demonstrations, and food vendors.
  
  
• Gallup, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: “Crossroads Art Festival” at the Gallup Cultural Center, located in Gallup’s historic train depot. Two-day festival featuring an arts and crafts fair, fine art show, entertainment, and food booths. Vendor and entertainment slots still available. Info: Jeremy at (505) 863-4131 or Rhonda at 722-3730.
  
  
• Ramah, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Open House and Leather Art Demonstration at Ramah Pioneer Museum. Hazel Clawson, traditional leather artist, will show her work in historic Ramah landmark. Information: (505) 783-4150.
  
  
• Zuni, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Zuni Arts Market at the Zuni Visitor and Arts Center. Two-day market will feature arts and crafts, art demonstrations, traditional dancers, and Native food.
  
  
• Pine Hill, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Traditional Navajo Weavings Show and Sale at the Ramah Navajo Weavers Association Hogan, located 13 miles south of Highway 53 on BIA Route 125. Navajo weavers will be selling textiles, other artwork, and Native foods. Volunteers willing to help work on association’s hogan will receive free traditional meal. Information: (505) 775-3254.
  
  
• Ramah, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Spring Plant and Craft Fair at the Ramah Farmers’ Market, located next to the Enchanted Swiss Bakery. Event will feature the sale of vegetable, herb, flower, house, and bedding plants, and free seed giveaway. Also arts and crafts and baked goods sale; soil sample tests for $5. Information: Jackie at (505) 783-4440 or Jesse at 870-2750.
  
  
• El Morro/Highway 53, noon to 5 p.m.: Open House, Art Demonstration and Art Show at the Tierra Madre Arts Gallery and Cimarron Rose Bed & Breakfast, located between mile markers 56/57. Two-day Fair Trade Art Show and artists giving demonstrations. Information: 1-800-856-5776.
  
  
• El Morro Ranches Subdivision, noon to evening: Poet’s Promise Gathering at Ken and Marti Moore’s residence. Community members invited to join in horseshoe tournament at noon ($1 entry fee), potluck meal at 3 p.m.. (bring a potluck item to share), and 6 p.m.. entertainment featuring musicians Paula Tripodi, Jerry Faires, and Bronco Martinez. Suggested donation: $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 years and older. Guests are welcome to camp out overnight at this alcohol and drug-free family event. Moore’s residence is located six miles east of El Morro National Monument, off north side of Highway 53, between mile markers 50/51. Information: (505) 783-4559.
  
  
• Grants, noon to 7 p.m.: “Arts in the Park” at the Coyote Golf Course. Afternoon event features golfing, music, and art, sponsored by the Cibola Arts Council and the Chamber of Commerce. Artist Ava Peets will be one of the featured artists. Information: (505) 287-7311.
  
  
• El Morro/Highway 53, 7 p.m.: Free screening of “Off the Map,” at Old School Gallery. Coming-of-age movie, filmed in New Mexico, features a story of self-discovery and moments of grace. Rated PG-13. Information: (505) 783-4710.

Sunday, June 1

• El Morro/Highway 53, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Ancient Way Arts Festival, along Highway 53. The Old School Gallery (505-783-4710) and Inscription Rock Trading & Coffee Company (783-4706), located one mile east of El Morro National Monument on Highway 53, will host second day of events featuring community art project, arts and crafts, art demonstrations, and food vendors.
  
  
• Gallup, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: “Crossroads Art Festival” at the Gallup Cultural Center, located in Gallup’s historic train depot. Two-day festival featuring an arts and crafts fair, fine art show, entertainment, and food booths. Vendor and entertainment slots still available. Info: Jeremy at (505) 863-4131 or Rhonda at 722-3730.
  
  
• Zuni, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Zuni Arts Market at the Zuni Visitor and Arts Center. Two-day market will feature arts and crafts, art demonstrations, traditional dancers, and Native food.
  
  
• El Morro/Highway 53, noon to 5 p.m.: Open House, Art Demonstration and Art Show at the Tierra Madre Arts Gallery and Cimarron Rose Bed & Breakfast, located between mile markers 56/57. Two-day Fair Trade Art Show and artists giving demonstrations. Information: 1-800-856-5776.

Information: www.ancientwayartstrail.com