A major Mabel Dodge Luhan exhibit slated for 2016. The exhibition will be the first to showcase the impact of Mabel Dodge Luhan (1879-1962), and her circle of artist, writer, and activist friends, on shaping American Modernism. The exhibition is an exploration Mabel Dodge Luhan’s life and influence, within the context of early 20th century American history and the Southwest, and an exploration of how the tiny multicultural community of Taos became an important center of the modernist art movement.

On May 22, 2016, this landmark traveling exhibition opens at the Harwood Museum of Art in Taos.

Composers are no strangers to the Mabel Dodge Luhan House. In 1931 Mabel hosted two prominent ones: Carlos Chavez and Leopold Stokowski. At the time both were revered: Chavez as Mexico’s greatest modern classical composers, Stokowski as the greatest American composer of his time. Known for popularizing classical music, the latter also performed and recorded compositions across the musical spectrum. His mission in Taos was to study and record Taos Pueblo songs. Ever open to new musical forms, Stokowski had traveled to Asia prior to staying with Mabel. He had always wanted to introduce aspects of eastern music to the western hemisphere.

Now, some ninety years later composer Marty Regan, currently residing in Taos as a Helene Wurlitzer Foundation Fellow, introduces a new flavor of Japanese music to Taos. On Sunday August 9th from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House conference center, he will present a concert of contemporary works for traditional Japanese instruments. Performing with him are internationally known guest artists Duo YUMENO: Yoko Reikano Kimura (koto/Japanese 13-string zither, and voice) and Hikaru Tamaki (violoncello). Regan himself will perform on the shakuhachi, the end-blown Japanese bamboo flute

This period marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Taos Society of Artists. On July 15, 1915 Ernest Blumenschein, Bert Geer Phillips, Eanger Irving Couse, Oscar Berninghaus, Joseph Henry Sharp and William Herbert “Buck” Dunton created the Taos Society of Artists (TSA). The organization had several goals, among them to develop a high standard of art and, through exhibitions, to bring their art before the public.

When it comes to theater productions, not often does the public get to converse simultaneously with actor, playwright and director. Now audiences will have that opportunity. On Wednesday, July 8, 2015 actor and playwright Leslie Harrell Dillen will present a 20-minute segment of “The Passions of Mabel Dodge Luhan.” Following the performance, director Kent Kirkpatrick joins Leslie to discuss the creative process of writing, acting and staging a one-person show.

In the first part of the program, Leslie as Mabel conducts one of her famous “Evenings” with the audience. This performance centers on her December 1918 arrival in Taos. The piece continues with Mabel meeting Tony Lujan at Taos Pueblo, and ends with the beginning of their relationship. For the second half Dillen talks about the research and writing that led to performing her play. She first encountered Mabel at Yale’s Beinecke Library twenty years ago.