Arts & Culture
Note: Please keep in mind that some businesses remain limited.
Marfa is a place for creatives. For performers, for painters, for photographers. For filmmakers, musicians, for meditators. For those that make art and for those that appreciate it. Marfa is a quiet destination in the Big Bend region of Texas that gives you the space and a slower pace to contemplate art. Marfa’s internationally-renowned art scene is inextricably linked with this iconic landscape.
In the 1970s, New York minimalist Donald Judd moved to Marfa, drawn by the enchanting terrain beneath a large cerulean sky. He purchased several buildings for art installations, forever solidifying Marfa as a global art community. Today, you can visit Donald Judd’s buildings (at the Chinati Foundation and Judd Foundation) and tour his large-scale architecture projects, paintings, and designed furniture, alongside other artists’ exhibitions.
As you walk through town, you’ll encounter numerous Marfa art galleries inviting you in to discover local, national and international talent. There’s great depth in the type of exhibits you’ll see: textiles, paintings, photographs, performance pieces, mixed media, sound, and light. This is a place to expand your thoughts and appreciation of the arts. Know that some galleries are by appointment, but don’t be shy—call ahead; they want you to visit. The Marfa Gallery Guide will help you plan your tour of the many galleries.
Marfa art museums and spaces like Ballroom Marfa invite you to think big, even in a place that celebrates minimalism. And they provide the perfect place for an art retreat in Marfa. They showcase socially relevant works that present the world from a different angle. Consider planning your visit around the many Marfa art festivals throughout the year.
Art in Marfa won’t tell you what to think, but it might get you thinking.
ANN MARIE NAFZIGER STUDIO
125 N. Highland
Marfa, TX 79843
Ann Marie Nafziger is an abstract painter who lives and works in Marfa. View her work online and schedule an appointment to visit her downtown studio at annmarienafziger.com
ARTBLOCKS
109 West San Antonio
Marfa, TX 79843
Art Blocks is dedicated to bringing compelling works of contemporary generative art to life.
ART BLACKBURN
120 East El Paso
Marfa, TX 79843
Located in a historic building in downtown Marfa, Art Blackburn is a world-class gallery specializing in fine tribal art, with nearly 40 years of experience curating rare treasures from around the world.
Visit ArtBlackburn.com or view the collection by appointment only; please call 808-517-7154.
AYN FOUNDATION (DAS MAXIMUM)
107-109 N. Highland Ave., Brite Bldg.
Marfa, TX 79843
Visitors may make an appointment by emailing aynmarfa@hotmail.com
BALLROOM MARFA
108 E. San Antonio
Marfa, TX 79843
Ballroom Marfa is a non-profit cultural space dedicated to presenting leading and cutting-edge artists working in the visual arts, performance, film, and music. The Ballroom provides a youthful, festive and colorful balance to the established Marfa art scene, and has emerged as a hub for artistic activity in the region.
BLACKWELL SCHOOL ALLIANCE
The Corner of Waco and Abbott Streets
Marfa, TX 79843
Blackwell School was the sole public education institution for the city’s Mexican and Mexican American children from 1909-1965. Now the Historic Landmark is dedicated to sharing stories, honoring memories, celebrating the rich Hispanic culture and history of Marfa. Open every Saturday 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. or by appointment by emailing blackwellschoolmarfa@gmail.com.
CHINATI FOUNDATION
1 Cavalry Row
Marfa, TX 79843
Chinati is an internationally known contemporary art museum founded by minimalist artist Donald Judd. It exhibits large scale installations by a limited number of artists on the grounds of Fort D. A. Russell and in buildings in the town of Marfa.
EXHIBITIONS 2D
400 S. Highland Ave.
Marfa, TX 79843
A contemporary exhibition space presenting paintings, drawings, sculptures and installations by noted American artists. The space is characterized by minimalist installation and an atmosphere conducive to quiet reflection and contemplation of the work.
GREASEWOOD GALLERY
207 North Highland
Marfa, TX 79843
Located in the historic Hotel Paisano, the gallery features regional artists in varied media. Multiple shows are hosted each year, check the website for details.
HACIENDA DEL ARCON/BUILDING 98
705 W. Bonnie St
Marfa, TX 79843
internationalwomansfoundation.org
The headquarters for the International Woman’s Foundation, Hacienda del Arcon is a premier training center for artistic development and healthful aging. The former Officers Club and BOQ of Fort D.A. Russell, building 98 is a venue for artist presentations, showings and special events. Murals painted by WWII German POWs depict scenes of the Chihuahuan Desert. Make an appointment by calling 432-202-7601.
Sunday - By appointment
Monday - By appointment
Tuesday - By appointment
Wednesday & Thursday - 2pm - 6pm
Friday & Saturday - 2pm - 7pm
INDE/JACOBS GALLERY
208 E. San Antonio
Marfa, TX 79843
Fine art and photography by Donald Judd, Carl Andre, John Chamberlain and other artists associated with Chinati; plus other post ’60’s artists. Photography by Ellen Carey, Nan Goldin and others.
JUDD FOUNDATION
104 South Highland Avenue
Marfa, TX 79843
Judd Foundation is a non-profit organization that facilitates public access to artist Donald Judd’s permanently installed living and working spaces in downtown Marfa. The Judd Foundation spaces include studios installed with early works by Judd, libraries, and living quarters that reflect the diversity of his life’s work.
LÉANA CLIFTON STUDIO AND GALLERY
119 N. Highland Ave.
Marfa, TX 79843
Viewings by appointment only. Book by text or email.
hello@veldtgallery.com
instagram: @leanacliftonart
MARFA & PRESIDIO COUNTY MUSEUM
110 West San Antonio
Marfa, TX 79843
The Marfa and Presidio County Museum tells the history of how this community, and the county at large, is the sum of its diverse and disparate elements, a lively interspersion of Hispanics and Anglos, art and ranching, good times and bad, beauty and isolation.
MARFA HOLOCAUST AND HISTORIC MODEL SHIP MUSEUM
901 East Oak St.
Marfa, TX 79843
The European Jews of WWII, seeking safe haven in Palestine, set up a clandestine operation including more than 144 ships. Marfa Holocaust and Historic Model Ship Museum features one-of-a-kind, handmade, plank-on-frame models along with historic artifacts, documents, and books concerning the Aliyah Bet (Jewish “illegal immigration” ships). Other historic ships from Texas and around the world are also included in this collection. Call 361-408-0106 to make an appointment.
MARFA OPEN
102 S Plateau
Marfa, TX 79843
Marfa Open is a 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization and art space with a goal of contributing to our community and offering resources and opportunities to both local and visiting artists via gallery exhibitions, events, residency opportunities, and our annual art festival.
MARFA PUBLIC RADIO
106 E San Antonio St
Marfa, TX 79843
Marfa Public Radio is a gem in the middle of the desert. A nonprofit serving over 30,000 square miles of rural West Texas, we are radio for a wide range. Tune in at 93.5FM to hear news, local DJs, and special creative projects. Stop by for merch Monday-Friday, 10:30 am-noon and 1-2:30 pm.
MARFA STUDIO OF ARTS
106 E. San Antonio St
Marfa, TX 79843
The Marfa Studio of arts is a non-profit organization that provides visual art classes and activities to children and teens through the school, afterschool and summer programs. Includes children’s gallery featuring artworks developed in SITES (Studio in the Elementary School).
MARTIN MARIA STUDIO
1308 West San Antonio
Marfa, TX 79843
Showing work of Tom Barnes and Uta-Maria Krapf
Hours: Usually 10:00-2:00 Wednesday through Sunday or by appointment
205-454-9278
tombarnes.name
utamariakrapf.name
RULE GALLERY
204 E. San Antonio St.
Marfa, TX 79843
RULE Gallery, founded in 1991, has locations in Denver, CO, and Marfa, TX. RULE represents emerging and mid-career contemporary artists and artist estates, with a focus on fostering investigative art practices while developing artists’ long-term careers.
WERRICK
100 East San Antonio
Marfa, TX 79843
Open by appointment only to those in the Art Trade and Art Collectors with a minimum of ten days’ notice. 512-563-9403