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safe harborSanta FeEpicenter Of art and tolerance I BY JESSICA CUMBERBATCH

Situated 7,000 feet above sea level and nestled betweentwo mountain ranges, Santa Fe is a physical retreat.With its tolerant attitude and exotic landscape, it stillboasts all the appealing elements that have lured a

multicultural crowd of skiers, spa-goers and art enthusiastsfor decades. The 60-mile drive north from Albuquerque'sInternational Sunport Airport to Santa Fe's downtown Plaza isan escape within itself. Endless vistas of red-hued rock formthe expanse of earthy textures hugging 1-25 on the way up—open arms of desert-wall that welcome in visitors of all kinds.

In the early 20th century, an eclectic mix of East Coastartists found "new material" for their work in Santa Fe and aculture of acceptance in the same plazas and adobe-linedstreets that now play host to markets, museums and over 200world-class art galleries. What captivated this bohemian setyears ago still remains: an epicenter of visual and performingart steeped in the distinctive Hispanic and Native-Americantraditions of community.

Culture seekers and history lovers will want to plan a visitin early November when one of New Mexico's 19 Indianpueblos, the Tesuque, host their annual San Diego Feast Day.While the dedication to native ceremonies can't help butrecall sobering encounters with Spanish and European set-tlers, the Tesuque open their homes for a one-day celebration

of family and friends. Complete strangers are invited totake refuge in the tribe's history, over colorful plates ofchile and posole—meals as rich in cultural tradition as theyare in flavor.

If you have a Winter getaway in mind, don't expect thedry desert heat you might find in cities like Phoenix thistime of year. Cool temperatures and snow do creep inbecause of Santa Fe's high altitude, but passing up the hecticholiday season in New York and heading southwest to thesecond-largest arts destination in the country may be a betterbet for art aficionados. You'll find plenty of handmade,heart-and-soul-infused treasures all over the city, but thesmaller version of the hugely popular Spanish Market—a Julymust-see—is an equally popular event in December. This sec-ond round of authentic treats, put on by the SpanishColonial Arts Society, is a wonderland of traditional Spanishpaintings, carvings, culcha embroidery and tin work, amongothers. Some gems of furniture and silver may even turn upat the annual market.

There are year-round festivities that incorporate Santa Fe'smelting pot of cultures, so there's no chance you'll bedisappointed, no matter when you go.

For more info, visit www.santafe.org.

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