Why You Should Travel with AJF
AJF’s highly curated trips provide an opportunity to travel with like-minded enthusiasts and have access to venues and activities you couldn’t do on your own. Meet new people, experience what’s new and cutting edge in the art jewelry world, and enjoy the cultural scene of the cities we visit. Let us do the planning so you don’t have to. We’re planning a year of exciting travel opportunities, so mark your calendar and start packing!!!
Have you ever wanted to go places and explore jewelry with AJF? Besides the longer trips listed below, we’re also planning shorter day trips, weekend trips, and member meet-ups around the US and overseas. If you’d like to learn more about where AJF will go in 2025 and beyond, let us know of your interest by filling out this form. We hope you’ll travel with AJF in the future!
AJF TRIPS IN 2025
Both of these exclusive trips are a benefit of membership at the Silver+ level, with priority invitations starting at the Gold+ level. To become a member, join here.
Santa Fe, New Mexico: May 12–15, 2025
Travel with AJF to the vibrant, multicultural capital city of Santa Fe, also known as The City Different. With 400+ years of cultural fusion, Santa Fe carries the honor of being a UNESCO Creative City, embodying a rich history whose influences are apparent in everything from the architecture, the food, the art … and the jewelry. Our focus will be learning about historical and contemporary Native jewelry, as well as contemporary art jewelry. We’ll visit in May, when the weather is lovely and before the summer crowds descend.
Some of the highlights we’re planning include:
- A visit with famed jeweler and metalsmith Robert Ebendorf
- A visit to several galleries featuring contemporary and Native jewelry, where we’ll meet with artists
- Private tours of exhibitions at the Museum of International Folk Art, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, and the Institute of American Indian Arts, all focused on historical and contemporary Native jewelry
- A visit to the home of a well-known ceramics collector
- A visit to the studio of a contemporary art jeweler
- A day trip to Taos to visit the Millicent Rogers Museum and explore the Taos Pueblo
- And, of course, some terrific food!
Mexico City, Mexico: September 7–10, 2025
Optional Oaxaca City add-on: September 12–14, 2025 (this leaves September 11 as a travel day)
Mexico is a dynamic country where the legacy of ancient civilizations coexists with innovative contemporary art and design, creating a rich and diverse cultural landscape. While the country has a longstanding tradition of jewelry, its art jewelry scene is young and rapidly evolving. Join AJF as we explore this exciting and growing community, starting in Mexico City, with an optional extension to Oaxaca City.
First stop is Mexico City, a cultural nucleus where history, art, and innovation converge, offering a uniquely enriching experience. The legacy of ancient civilizations is preserved in such landmarks as Templo Mayor and the National Museum of Anthropology, while its contemporary art scene thrives in renowned galleries including Kurimanzutto and Museo Jumex. As the home of iconic figures like Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Luis Barragán, the city’s artistic and intellectual heritage is palpable in its museums, architecture, and vibrant neighborhoods like Coyoacán and the Centro Histórico.
From September 12–14, you can join us for an optional extension to Oaxaca City, a town renowned for its traditions, artisanal mastery, and contemporary art. This segment will take us to the heart of Oaxaca’s creative spirit, with visits to master craftspeople’s workshops, and opportunities to experience the city’s celebrated cuisine and historic sites.
Highlights we’re planning include:
- Visits to iconic museums such as the National Museum of Anthropology, Museo Jumex, and Museo Frida Kahlo
- A curated pop-up exhibition showcasing the work of established and emerging art jewelers from across the country
- Private studio visits with artists
- Meetings with students and alumni from the metal program at University CENTRO
- More surprises to come!
Note: Until registration opens, all dates are subject to change.
Become a member at the Gold level for priority invitation to AJF’s trips. Join here.
OTHER PLACES YOU’LL FIND AJF IN 2025
We’ll be at the Internationale Handwerksmesse in Munich with a booth and a robust speaker series. You’ll find us among the art jewelry galleries. Stay tuned—we will announce our events there soon. The IHM fair takes place March 12–16, 2025.
We’ll also have programs at NYCJW25.
Captions
Among the many trips AJF has taken are:
1. Amsterdam and Belgium. In this trip packed with exciting things, the travelers were welcomed into Liesbeth den Besten’s home to see pieces in her extensive collection of ❤️ art jewelry ❤️
2. Montreal. Among many other things, the travelers viewed a selection of jewelry objects in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal/Montreal Fine Arts Museum’s reserves
3. Switzerland. We visited Esther Brinkmann’s studio, as well as many other places
