Taos Art Museum
Encyclopedia
The Taos Art Museum is located in the former the house
of Russian artist Nicolai Fechin
, his wife Alexandra and daughter Eya. The museum's primary aims are to improve awareness of the works and patronage of Taos artists and to nurture local artistic development. With many of the works of the Taos Society of Artists
held by museums outside of New Mexico, they intend to "Bring Taos art back to Taos." A $5 million project will expand the museum's space for exhibition of work and museum programs.
. Nearly all the Taos Society of Arts members and associate members are represented in the museum.
The collection includes approximately 300 paintings, drawings, and prints by the Taos Society of Artists
founders and other Taos artists.
and Alexandra Fechin, Eya Fechin inherited the house
and founded the art museum in her father's memory. In 2002, after her death, the house passed to Eya's daughter and son-in-law who sold it to a foundation.
Upon acquiring the Fechin property, the foundation renovated the house and studio, landscape the grounds, installed security and track lighting systems, treated the windows to eliminate harmful ultra-violet rays, and restored the building. Recognizing that much of the artwork of Taos artists was displayed in museums outside of Taos, the museum adopted the slogan "Bring Taos art back to Taos."
The house was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
on December 31, 1979.
Nicolai Fechin House
The Nicolai Fechin House is the historic home of the Russian artist Nicolai Fechin, his wife Alexandra and daughter Eya. After purchasing the house, he spent several years enlarging and modifying the two-story adobe structure, for instance, enlarging the porch and adding and widening windows to...
of Russian artist Nicolai Fechin
Nicolai Fechin
Nicolai Ivanovich Fechin was a Russian-American painter known for his portraits and works featuring Native Americans. After graduating with the highest marks from the Imperial Academy of Arts and traveling in Europe under a Prix de Rome, he returned to his native Kazan, where he taught and painted...
, his wife Alexandra and daughter Eya. The museum's primary aims are to improve awareness of the works and patronage of Taos artists and to nurture local artistic development. With many of the works of the Taos Society of Artists
Taos Society of Artists
The Taos Society of Artists was an organization of visual arts founded in Taos, New Mexico in 1915; it disbanded in 1927. The Society was essentially a commercial cooperative, as opposed to a stylistic collective, and its foundation contributed to the development of the tiny Taos art colony into...
held by museums outside of New Mexico, they intend to "Bring Taos art back to Taos." A $5 million project will expand the museum's space for exhibition of work and museum programs.
Collection
Aside from making art by local artists accessible, the goal of the Taos Art Museum is to nurture the creation and exhibition of works by local artists. The foundation of the museum collection are early 20th century paintings by the Taos Society of ArtistsTaos Society of Artists
The Taos Society of Artists was an organization of visual arts founded in Taos, New Mexico in 1915; it disbanded in 1927. The Society was essentially a commercial cooperative, as opposed to a stylistic collective, and its foundation contributed to the development of the tiny Taos art colony into...
. Nearly all the Taos Society of Arts members and associate members are represented in the museum.
The collection includes approximately 300 paintings, drawings, and prints by the Taos Society of Artists
Taos Society of Artists
The Taos Society of Artists was an organization of visual arts founded in Taos, New Mexico in 1915; it disbanded in 1927. The Society was essentially a commercial cooperative, as opposed to a stylistic collective, and its foundation contributed to the development of the tiny Taos art colony into...
founders and other Taos artists.
History
The Taos Art Museum opened in 1994. After the death of NicolaiNicolai Fechin
Nicolai Ivanovich Fechin was a Russian-American painter known for his portraits and works featuring Native Americans. After graduating with the highest marks from the Imperial Academy of Arts and traveling in Europe under a Prix de Rome, he returned to his native Kazan, where he taught and painted...
and Alexandra Fechin, Eya Fechin inherited the house
Nicolai Fechin House
The Nicolai Fechin House is the historic home of the Russian artist Nicolai Fechin, his wife Alexandra and daughter Eya. After purchasing the house, he spent several years enlarging and modifying the two-story adobe structure, for instance, enlarging the porch and adding and widening windows to...
and founded the art museum in her father's memory. In 2002, after her death, the house passed to Eya's daughter and son-in-law who sold it to a foundation.
Upon acquiring the Fechin property, the foundation renovated the house and studio, landscape the grounds, installed security and track lighting systems, treated the windows to eliminate harmful ultra-violet rays, and restored the building. Recognizing that much of the artwork of Taos artists was displayed in museums outside of Taos, the museum adopted the slogan "Bring Taos art back to Taos."
The house was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on December 31, 1979.
Future
A $5 million project is underway to expand the facility for space for additional gallery exhibition and museum programs, such as art classes, seasonal contemporary art exhibits, and hands-on activities for children.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Taos County, New MexicoNational Register of Historic Places listings in Taos County, New MexicoThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Taos County, New Mexico.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Taos County, New Mexico, United States...
- Millicent Rogers Museum
- Harwood Museum of ArtHarwood Museum of ArtHarwood Museum of Art is located in Taos, New Mexico. Founded in 1923 it is the second oldest art museum in New Mexico. Its collections include a wide range of Hispanic works and visual arts from the Taos Society of Artists, Taos Moderns, and contemporary artists. In 1935 the museum was...
- Taos art colonyTaos art colonyThe Taos art colony is an art colony founded in Taos, New Mexico by artists attracted by the rich culture of the Taos Pueblo and beautiful landscape. Hispanic craftsmanship of furniture, tin work and more played a role in creating a multicultural tradition of art work in the area.In 1898 a visit...