Southwest Contemporary's Summer 2026 Guide: 32 Shows Countering Patriotism
As the United States gears up for its 250th birthday in July 2026, Natalie Hegert, the arts editor for Southwest Contemporary, has assembled a guide featuring thirty-two exhibitions throughout the Southwest that question traditional patriotic celebrations. These exhibitions, located in states such as Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah, delve into themes of national identity and culture. Noteworthy events include 'Chihua.Chuco.Cruzeña' at the Mexican American Cultural Center in El Paso (June 13–August 16, 2026), 'Colorado Currents' at MCA Denver (July 24–November 1, 2026), and 'States of Erosion' at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe (August 14, 2026–January 3, 2027). Additional significant exhibitions are 'Carmen Lomas Garza' at ASU Art Museum and 'Indigenous Independence' at the Helmerich Center.
Key facts
- The guide features 32 exhibitions across the Southwest for summer 2026.
- It was curated by Natalie Hegert, arts editor of Southwest Contemporary.
- The exhibitions are presented as an antidote to patriotic displays for the U.S. 250th anniversary.
- Exhibitions are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.
- Notable exhibitions include 'Chihua.Chuco.Cruzeña' at the Mexican American Cultural Center, El Paso.
- 'Colorado Currents' at MCA Denver features 28 artists with ties to Colorado.
- 'States of Erosion' at IAIA MoCNA is co-curated by Tania Willard and Manuela Well-Off-Man.
- The guide includes exhibitions at institutions like Phoenix Art Museum, Denver Art Museum, and UMOCA.
Entities
Artists
- Natalie Hegert
- Joana Rios
- AO
- Eva Gabriella Flynn
- Esteban Cabeza de Baca
- Devon Dikeou
- Lydia Farrell
- Floyd D. Tunson
- Grace Kennison
- Tania Willard
- Manuela Well-Off-Man
- Nicholas Galanin
- Cannupa Hanska Luger
- Michael Namingha
- Carmen Lomas Garza
- Adrián Villar Rojas
- John E. Thompson
- Alfredo Jaar
- Mary Ellen Carroll
- Jesus Benavente
- Beverly Buchanan
- Dionne Lee
- Eleanor Mahin Thorp
- Benjamin Muñoz
- Ashley Miller
Institutions
- Southwest Contemporary
- Mexican American Cultural Center
- MCA Denver
- IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
- ASU Art Museum
- Tucson Museum of Art
- Gallery at TCA
- Phoenix Art Museum
- The Cheech
- Palm Springs Art Museum
- Museo de las Americas
- Aspen Art Museum
- Denver Art Museum
- Museum of Indian Arts and Culture
- NMMA Vladem Contemporary
- Couse-Sharp Historic Site
- Albuquerque Museum
- Fourteenfifteen Gallery
- 516 Arts
- Holland Project
- Lilley Museum of Art
- Helmerich Center for American Research
- Amarillo Museum of Art
- Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
- LHUCA
- Diverseworks
- Kimball Art Center
- Southern Utah Museum of Art
- UMOCA
- UMFA
Locations
- United States
- El Paso
- Juarez
- Las Cruces
- Denver
- Colorado
- Santa Fe
- New Mexico
- Tempe
- Arizona
- Tucson
- Phoenix
- Riverside
- California
- Palm Springs
- Aspen
- Taos
- Albuquerque
- Reno
- Nevada
- Tulsa
- Oklahoma
- Amarillo
- Texas
- Houston
- Lubbock
- Park City
- Utah
- Cedar City
- Salt Lake City