America’s Southwest has long been a choice destination for travelers seeking artistic inspiration. Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe sits just outside the city center on 57 acres nestled in the Sangre de Cristo foothills. Casitas and luxury suites provide a lush backdrop for taking in the resort’s unique programming, which includes its Artist in Residence Program. The ongoing offerings support local artists and artisans and provide an opportunity for guests to engage with working artists through workshops, demonstrations, and lectures. Excursions are also available, including Native American cultural tours, a high-road pilgrimage to Santuario de Chimayo, and a fullday tour to nearby Taos.
While Santa Fe’s LGBTQ community might not appear to be leaping out of the desert landscape, there is a slow and steady momentum as exemplified by Javier Gonzalez who served as the city’s first openly gay mayor from 2014 to 2018. The New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association descends on Santa Fe each August for one of its signature events with proceeds benefitting local nonprofits. And for those seeking the new generation of Santa Fe creative, Meow Wolf art collective celebrates its 10th anniversary as a boundary-pushing entity that has drawn critical acclaim and noteworthy participants, including Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin’s “House of Eternal Return,” a mystery house filled with magical portals, art installations, and interactive experiences.
