ABOUT TAOS ART MUSEUM
The Museum's Origins
Taos Art Museum opened in 1994 to exhibit the collection of Edwin and Novella Lineberry in memory of his first wife, the artist Duane Van Vechten. With deep roots in the Taos art community and a shared commitment to supporting artists and preserving local culture, the Van Vechtens played a vital role in shaping the museum's vision and future
Taos Art Museum opened in 1994 to exhibit the collection of Edwin and Novella Lineberry in memory of his first wife, the artist Duane Van Vechten. With deep roots in the Taos art community and a shared commitment to supporting artists and preserving local culture, the Van Vechtens played a vital role in shaping the museum's vision and future
The Fechin House
The Fechin House and Studio
In 2002, the museum acquired one of Taos’s most iconic landmarks as its permanent home: the historic residence and studio of internationally renowned artist Nicolai Fechin. Built between 1927 and 1933, the Fechin House is a masterwork of carved wood, adobe construction, and intricate design—blending Russian folk traditions with Pueblo, Spanish Colonial, and Art Deco influences. Every detail, from the hand-carved doors to the sculpted fireplaces, reflects Fechin’s artistic vision.
Exhibitions in the Fechin House spotlight artwork by Nicolai Fechin and artists closely connected to his life and legacy, providing a deeper understanding of his vision and influence. The Fechin Studio, the artist’s original workspace filled with natural light, showcases rotating exhibitions by local and regional artists, continuing the creative spirit that began there nearly a century ago.
In 2002, the museum acquired one of Taos’s most iconic landmarks as its permanent home: the historic residence and studio of internationally renowned artist Nicolai Fechin. Built between 1927 and 1933, the Fechin House is a masterwork of carved wood, adobe construction, and intricate design—blending Russian folk traditions with Pueblo, Spanish Colonial, and Art Deco influences. Every detail, from the hand-carved doors to the sculpted fireplaces, reflects Fechin’s artistic vision.
Exhibitions in the Fechin House spotlight artwork by Nicolai Fechin and artists closely connected to his life and legacy, providing a deeper understanding of his vision and influence. The Fechin Studio, the artist’s original workspace filled with natural light, showcases rotating exhibitions by local and regional artists, continuing the creative spirit that began there nearly a century ago.
Eya Fechin in 1930
Continuing a Family Legacy
From the 1970s through the early 2000s, the Fechin House and Studio was cared for by Nicolai's daughter, Eya Fechin, an artist and educator in her own right. Through the Fechin Institute, she opened the house to the public and championed the preservation of her father's artistic legacy. Today, the Taos Art Museum proudly carries that legacy forward.
From the 1970s through the early 2000s, the Fechin House and Studio was cared for by Nicolai's daughter, Eya Fechin, an artist and educator in her own right. Through the Fechin Institute, she opened the house to the public and championed the preservation of her father's artistic legacy. Today, the Taos Art Museum proudly carries that legacy forward.
2025 Expansion
In 2025, the museum expanded its footprint with the addition of two new spaces:
In 2025, the museum expanded its footprint with the addition of two new spaces:
The Janis and Roy Coffee Gallery
The Janis and Roy Coffee Gallery
This contemporary exhibition space celebrates the breadth and depth of Taos's artistic legacy and is named in honor of Janis and Roy Coffee, longtime supporters and passionate collectors, whose extraordinary generosity has helped shape the museum's future. In addition to making the gallery possible, the Coffees donated 150 works from their private collection to the museum. From the foundational works of the Taos Society of Artists to the bold innovations of the Taos Moderns, the Coffee Collection offers a sweeping view of the creative evolution that defines Taos. Year-round exhibitions in the gallery highlight both historical and contemporary voices, reaffirming Taos's enduring role as a center for artistic exploration. Click here to watch a video of Janis and Roy discussing their collection and incredible donation to Taos Art Museum.
This contemporary exhibition space celebrates the breadth and depth of Taos's artistic legacy and is named in honor of Janis and Roy Coffee, longtime supporters and passionate collectors, whose extraordinary generosity has helped shape the museum's future. In addition to making the gallery possible, the Coffees donated 150 works from their private collection to the museum. From the foundational works of the Taos Society of Artists to the bold innovations of the Taos Moderns, the Coffee Collection offers a sweeping view of the creative evolution that defines Taos. Year-round exhibitions in the gallery highlight both historical and contemporary voices, reaffirming Taos's enduring role as a center for artistic exploration. Click here to watch a video of Janis and Roy discussing their collection and incredible donation to Taos Art Museum.
The Nathaniel "Nat" Troy Art & Archival Building
Named in honor of Nat Troy, a treasured longtime board member of Taos Art Museum and a passionate supporter of Taos's creative legacy, this state-of-the-art facility was established in 2025 to ensure the long-term care and stewardship of the museum's growing collection and archives. Much of the archive relates to the life, work, and legacy of Nicolai Fechin, offering researchers and visitors a deeper understanding of the artist's contributions and the history of the Fechin House. The facility also houses climate-controlled storage for artworks, rare documents, and historical materials, supporting preservation and scholarship for generations to come. The Troy Art & Archival Building is open to the public by appointment, providing opportunities for behind-the-scenes access and a closer look at the museum's ongoing curatorial and conservation work.
The Nathaniel "Nat" Troy Art & Archival Building houses the museum's vault, which was made possible through the generosity of the Brenner-Winter Family.
Named in honor of Nat Troy, a treasured longtime board member of Taos Art Museum and a passionate supporter of Taos's creative legacy, this state-of-the-art facility was established in 2025 to ensure the long-term care and stewardship of the museum's growing collection and archives. Much of the archive relates to the life, work, and legacy of Nicolai Fechin, offering researchers and visitors a deeper understanding of the artist's contributions and the history of the Fechin House. The facility also houses climate-controlled storage for artworks, rare documents, and historical materials, supporting preservation and scholarship for generations to come. The Troy Art & Archival Building is open to the public by appointment, providing opportunities for behind-the-scenes access and a closer look at the museum's ongoing curatorial and conservation work.
The Nathaniel "Nat" Troy Art & Archival Building houses the museum's vault, which was made possible through the generosity of the Brenner-Winter Family.
With rotating exhibitions, educational experiences, and special events, Taos Art Museum offers a vibrant space where history, creativity, and community unite. It's a place that honors the past while celebrating the art of today, and we invite you to be a part of it!
Land Acknowledgement
We recognize that the land on which the Taos Art Museum stands is the ancestral and unceded territory of the Taos Pueblo. For generations, the people of the Taos Pueblo have lived in deep relationship with this land, caring for it, drawing meaning from it, and carrying forward traditions that continue to shape this region in profound ways. We honor the past, present, and future of Taos Pueblo and other Indigenous communities who continue to enrich Northern New Mexico with resilience, artistry, and knowledge. This acknowledgment is offered in a spirit of respect, reflection, and continued learning.
We recognize that the land on which the Taos Art Museum stands is the ancestral and unceded territory of the Taos Pueblo. For generations, the people of the Taos Pueblo have lived in deep relationship with this land, caring for it, drawing meaning from it, and carrying forward traditions that continue to shape this region in profound ways. We honor the past, present, and future of Taos Pueblo and other Indigenous communities who continue to enrich Northern New Mexico with resilience, artistry, and knowledge. This acknowledgment is offered in a spirit of respect, reflection, and continued learning.