The building itself is beautiful, a fitting structure for this most respected and honored artist. The first glimpse of spring is when the lilacs start to bud. Everyone holds their breath to see if a sudden frost will nip the delicate buds or if the blooms will once again grace the city. Miles away, the normally peaceful Rio Grande swells with the addition of melted mountain snows while on the east side of town waters begin gurgling through the Acequia Madre, the ditch that once irrigated the fields of Santa Fe's Spanish settlers. Spring eases into summer as Santa Fe's many gardens begin to bloom behind adobe walls.
Summer is the most active time of the year for special art shows.
Art lovers enjoy spending time in some of the more than 200 art galleries found throughout the city. Friday evening gallery openings on the Plaza and Canyon Road offer opportunities for the public to meet the artists and to view a wide range of traditional and cutting-edge works of art produced in every conceivable medium. Spanish Market and Contemporary Hispanic Market held on the Plaza in July display traditional religious artworks such as santos, bultos and retablos as well as contemporary designs. The world-famous Indian Market in August draws more than 100,000 collectors and art enthusiasts to the Plaza to view the latest in Native American jewelry, pottery, textiles, sculpture and paintings created by more than 800 artisans. Cool summer evenings can be spent enjoying classic or new operas at the Santa Fe Opera.