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Arts Mecca

MUSEUMS
Silver City is home to two outstanding museums. The Silver City Museum (located downtown in the historic H.B. Ailman House) features special exhibits, a local history library and a museum store. Open Tuesday through Sunday, the museum easily caters to locals, visitors and tourists.

The Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Museum, located on west 10th Street in the interior of the campus, is housed in a 1917 building with intact design features (such as the truss-beamed ceiling) designed by the famous architectural firm of Trost and Trost. The museum’s extensive collection includes the world’s largest permanent display of the region’s Mimbres pottery, artifacts and culture; historic photographs of the university; Maria Martinez pottery; and traveling exhibits. The gift shop and museum are open daily but normally closed during university holidays and breaks.

THE ARTS COMMUNITY
The art scene in Silver City is one of colorful galleries, eclectic art, independent artists, high curbs and funky streets lined with murals and turn of the century buildings offering a fascinating walk, with many special openings scheduled throughout the year. Hundreds of artists have migrated to Silver City to escape high rents and rigid lifestyles. Here they are able to find freedom of expression and friendly camaraderie. Artists often welcome visitors into their creative space, offering a personal touch that has all too often disappeared in larger communities.

The main Arts District centers around the crossroads of Yankie and Texas Streets where studios, galleries, a coffee shop and an eatery beckon visitors to “sit a spell.” Art ranges from simple and inexpensive to museum quality, and the artists are often available to discuss their work first hand. Other galleries are dispersed throughout the downtown and outlying areas including Bayard and Hurley.

While the art scene is fairly recent compared to its rich mining and ranching history, Silver City has already been named as one of the “100 Best Art Towns in America.” Part of this success has been due to The Mimbres Region Arts Council, which is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of southwestern New Mexico by providing quality programs that nurture and inspire a love and understanding of the arts.

ENTERTAINMENT
The SCGC Chamber of Commerce, Grant County Community Concert Association, Mimbres Region Arts Council, Western New Mexico University, private businesses and numerous community-based programs round out the gamut of entertainment opportunities. The most wonderful obstacle one must overcome in Grant County is determining which activities to attend. The diversity of the local residents is directly reflected through the year-round abundant assortment of happenings to choose from.