EXHIBITS & EVENTS 2016

Fabulous 50s Rockin' Ball and Fundraiser

2016 Mitchell Museum Fabulous 50s Rockin' Ball
Let's rock the 50s and roll back time to the era of bobby socks, blue suede shoes, leather jackets, glamorous movie stars and classic cars. Our Annual Ball and Fundraiser will rock the town on Saturday, November 5th, 2016 with great food, drinks, live music, dancing and much more. Dance, dance, dance the night away! There won't be any dance police in the house, so cut loose and enjoy the sounds of Shelvis and the Roustabouts. This incredible 8 piece band knows how to get you to "cut a rug" and they will be playing all your 50's dance favorites with guest appearances by the king of rock-n-roll. Because they were finalists in the Rocky Mountain Battle of the bands and have played to sold out audiences throughout Denver, the museum can not be held liable if you aren't unable to control yourself and throw out a hip.

George Benjamin Wittick Photography Exhibit

Benjamin Wittick Native American Historical Photography Exhibit
George Benjamin (Ben) Wittick was born in 1845 in Pennsylvania, but grew up in Moline, Illinois. In 1878 he was hired as an official photographer of the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad (later known as the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe). He moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1878 and opened his first southwestern studio there in 1879. During his career he opened studios in Albuquerque, Gallup, and Fort Wingate, Arizona. Wittick’s Native American portrait photographs documented a time of transition in the American Indian way of life – a time when the American government and society were threatening tradition and forcing change. This was a time of confusion over cultural identity, confusion shared by the Native American portrait subject, the photographer, and society as a whole.
The purpose of the Hopi ceremonies is to help maintain the harmony of the universe and the survival of the Hopi people. The Kachinas are the most important of the Hopi spirits and Wittick photographed many Kachina dances during his visits to the Hopi Reservation. He is generally regarded as the first photographer of the Hopi Snake Dance, which he photographed at both Walpi and Oraibi. The photographs from these ceremonies are his most important works.

The Hopi regard themselves as the first inhabitants of America. The name for themselves is Hopitu-Shinum, best translated as “all people peaceful” or “little people of peace.” Their villages cling to 600 foot high escarpments of three rocky mesas rising from the desert plain. The Wittick photographs in the Mitchell Museum’s collection were taken at Walpi on First Mesa, at Mishongnovi on Second Mesa and at Oraibi on Third Mesa. Oraibi is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the United States.

A.R. Mitchell's Newspaper Cartoons and Illustrations

Mitchell's Newspaper Cartoons and Illustrations
Mitchell's first commercial job was with The Chronicle Newspaper in Trinidad, Colorado. His political and humorous cartoons drawn from 1912-1920 show his ability to capture life and politics at that time. His impeccable drawing skills are evident in all of the works displayed, as well as his opinionated views that lasted throughout his lifetime. His love of all things Western and the life of the real, working cowboy are also exhibited.

Art of the Gun August 12-14, 2016

Opening Reception Friday August 12, 2016 from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
A showcase of incredible craftsmanship and decorated details of old and new firearms that have artistic qualities that make them more than just a firearm. Meet the incredible craftsmen working in this field today and watch demonstrations of their craft. Trinidad State Junior College in partnership with the A.R. Mitchell Museum will present a unique look at the Art of the firearm.
Sometimes a gun is just a gun, but customization and craftsmanship can elevate it to art status. The Gunsmithing Program at Trinidad State Junior College, in partnership with the A.R. Mitchell Museum present the Art of the Gun, a gun art exhibit. See the incredible craftsmanship and decorated details of old and new firearms that have artistic qualities that make them more than just a firearm. Meet the incredible craftsmen working in this field today and watch demonstrations of their craft.

A.R. Mitchell was known for his incredible attention to detail whenever he painted firearms. The museum also displays many of the vintage guns that Mitchell used as reference when he painted.
2016 Season Opening
The museum will open for the season Friday May 27, 2016 and will be open through the Memorial Day Weekend.