Pueblos, Pigments, and Prominence: The Murals of IPCC

IPCC's Virtual Culture Guide
The Runaway Mural by Thomas Edward Montoya at IPCC
The Runaway mural by Thomas Edward Montoya at IPCC

* As of 6/22/21 Courtyard mural tours are available every Wednesday & Friday at 11 am and 1 pm. Learn more and book here.

IPCC is home to more than 20 indoor and outdoor murals by great Pueblo artists, with new ones currently in progress. These vibrant works of art vividly illustrate the role of the seasons, dance, harvest, agriculture, and animals in Pueblo life.

In 1977, a group of volunteers known as the Friends of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center began an ambitious campaign to raise money to bring top Pueblo artists to IPCC for a mural project.

Thanks to the volunteers’ efforts, donations came from far and wide: the local community, visitors from across the U.S., and even from as far away as Japan. Through these donations and a matching grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the mural project was brought to life.

Pablita Velarde painting her mural at IPCC

Our collection of murals includes work by Jose Rey Toledo (Jemez), Tommy Montoya (Ohkay Owingeh), Pablita Velarde (Santa Clara), Helen Hardin (Santa Clara), Phil Hughte (Zuni), Encarnacion Peña (San Ildefonso), Dennis Silva (Santa Clara), J.D. Medina (Zia), Juan Manuel “Bob” Chavez (Cochiti), Robert Montoya (Sandia, Ohkay Owingeh), Dominic Arquero (Cochiti), Art Menchego (Santa Ana), Charles Lovato (Santo Domingo), Francis Tafoya (Santa Clara), Norman Pacheco (Ohkay Owingeh), and Mallery Quetawki (Zuni).

Prior to the pandemic, we offered the insightful Mural Discovery Tour every Friday at 1 p.m., complimentary with museum admission. By taking our visitors on a journey through Pueblo art and culture, the tour offers a moving introduction to the traditions and core values of Pueblo people. We look forward to when we’re able to safely resume the Mural Discovery Tour, and take you on an enlightening journey of art, history, and culture.

Heard Dance Mural at the IPCC
Turtle Dance mural at the IPCC

In the meantime, we’ve temporarily made many of the murals and their backstories available in a digital format, which can be viewed here.

If you would like to help support our mission to preserve and perpetuate Pueblo culture, please consider making a gift to IPCC today

6 responses to “Pueblos, Pigments, and Prominence: The Murals of IPCC”

  1. carmine petracca says:

    a wonderful exposition of native ceremonies and native artists talents.

  2. I am quite interested on my heratage! My Maternal Grandmother, lived in Pena Blanca, But had relatives in Cochiti! I need to know how my siblings & I. Could become Registered to the Tribe! Y Grandma used to go visit her relatives there,., for whatever reason we were never told anythimg . I need some help!!

  3. Marion H. Walker says:

    I need help in finding out my Heratage! I believe we are Native American, My DNA showed I. have 46% Native American . Mu Mayernal. grandmother had relatives There at your Pueblo . I would Sincerly Appreciate some Help!!!

  4. Pamela Hardin Turk says:

    Grandma Pablita and Aunt Helen are part of the outdoor mural collection, two of many beautiful exhibits of historically beautiful works of art.