This growing photo gallery features Canyon Road, one of my favorite places to stroll in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Home to more than 100 world-class art galleries and boutiques, it is a delight for the senses in every season. Timeless adobe architecture nestled in the natural charm of the Sangre de Cristo foothills makes Canyon Road an unforgettable destination and the jewel of Santa Fe’s art community.
A (Very) Brief History of Canyon Road
Canyon Road is a long, narrow road a ‘stones throw’ from downtown Santa Fe, that leads to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It runs parallel to the Acequia Madre (“mother ditch”), an irrigation ditch dating back to 1680. Prior to Spanish arrival, the road was a footpath between the Santa Fe River Valley and Pecos Pueblo.
Canyon Road was once a primarily residential neighborhood. Houses built in the Pueblo Revival style, in accordance with the local Spanish Colonial and Pueblo methods, were constructed with adobe walls and courtyards, often as compounds for extended family.
Artists were drawn to its beauty, particularly the Los Cinco Pintores in the 1920s. Olive Rush (1873–1966) was a prominent early Canyon Road artist who maintained a studio at 630 Canyon, which she donated to the Society of Friends. Over time, artists created a subculture of artist-run studios and galleries, and as Santa Fe became more of a tourist destination, Canyon Road became known to the wider world. – Wikipedia
For me, the perfect symbiosis of nature’s beauty combined with the earthy appeal of adobe architecture makes Canyon Road unforgettable. This historic street of galleries is as much a work of art as the paintings and sculptures it hosts.
There are two times of the year when the natural beauty of Canyon Road is at its finest (in my humble opinion). In the summer months during monsoon season, the seasonal rains cause the flora of Canyon Road to take center stage. Also, during the fall season, cottonwood trees shimmer with radiant gold colors. If you are ever in Santa Fe, be sure to take a stroll along this fascinating street of galleries!
Canyon Road was once a primarily residential neighborhood with houses constructed in the Pueblo and Spanish Colonial style. That heritage is preserved in the artist-run studios and galleries that have made Canyon Road an internationally recognized destination for art lovers.
Return soon, more photos to come! In this post, I share why I believe that Santa Fe, New Mexico is America’s Paris! -SplurgeFrugal