Dine in the garden at El Zaguán | A Benefit for HSFF
Thursday, August 6, 2025 | 6-9 pm
ONLY 46 TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS EVENT
Menu:
Passed Hors d’oeuvres
• Heirloom cherry tomato, sweet onion & basil salad
with Cypress Grove goat cheese on red chile palmier crust
• Lobster, caviar, and cucumber in lemon-thyme gougère
• Roasted NM green chile chicken, white posole purée, pickled radish
and cilantro, served in a porcelain spoon
(+ GF, veg and vegan options)
Appetizer
• Sweet corn gazpacho with fennel-roasted red pepper bruschetta, edible flowers
Choice of Entreé
• Flat iron steak with NM green chile curry sauce, roasted onion in crispy tulip,
eggplant caviar, lime candied carrots, spiced cauliflower, and crispy polenta
manchego cubes
• Olive oil poached herbed salmon with Lisa’s garden greens, fresh avocado and
avocado pudding, pickled haricots verts, marinated baby potatoes, lemon-
buttermilk vinaigrette gelée, parmesan grissini
• Roasted beech mushroom “Wellington” filled with Cypress Grove goat cheese
and herb mousse, wild mushroom, and scallion compote, and served with
caramelized fennel, NM red chili, candied endive, sherry vinegar pickled chard,
cornbread sauce and eggplant pudding
Dessert
• Mandarin mousse and hibiscus mousse with cardamom goat’s milk pudding
and candied ginger
• Strawberry curd eclair, red chile Mexican chocolate ganache, dried strawberries
and black peppercorn
$350 per guest. Wine, Mocktails, and Sparkling Water are included.
Tables are also available for purchase.
The Rook Garden & Greenhouse in Santa Fe, NM
Join us for an enchanting evening where Santa Fe's history, art, music, and local ingredients come together at our exclusive benefit dinner. Hosted by the Historic Santa Fe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, this unique event will take place in the serene historic garden of El Zaguán, dating back to the 18050’s, in our cherished headquarters since 1961. Your participation will directly contribute to the preservation of Santa Fe's history and culture, while you enjoy the beautiful gardens, fine food, art, and music.
Indulge in a distinctive garden-to-table culinary experience featuring a four-course plated dinner accompanied by local wines. The chefs of The Rook will prepare your meal using hyper-local ingredients harvested directly from their garden in Seton Village. This culinary journey not only celebrates our region's ingredients but also honors the historical cultivation of land and the vital role of water for sustainable agriculture in Northern New Mexico. The land surrounding El Zaguán has significant agricultural roots, historically sustained by acequia systems.
A highlight of the evening will be the opportunity to meet artist and curator George Alexander, an IAIA alumnus and a dynamic force in the Santa Fe art scene. Following his own standout exhibition at El Zaguán in early 2026 and ahead of his highly anticipated concurrent show at Gerald Peters Gallery during Indian Market 2027, Alexander is stepping into an exciting new role. For his curatorial debut, he has partnered with El Zaguán Gallery Director, Anne Kelly, to dedicate this exhibition to the next generation of visionary indigenous talent.
Deeply believing in their work and creative perspective, Alexander has curated this specific showcase to spotlight six exceptional emerging artists from the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA): Brynn Torres, Celia Calabaza, Izzy Mondragón, Tru West, Michael Patton, and Mayta Katari Vizcarra Wood. George will be in attendance at the dinner to meet with guests, discuss his experience bringing this milestone debut as a curator together, and lead an exclusive walkthrough of the gallery for anyone interested. Live music will enhance the atmosphere throughout the evening, perfectly complementing this celebration of native artistry, culture, mentorship, and community.
Your ticket purchase directly supports the Historic Santa Fe Foundation's crucial mission: to preserve and promote the historic properties and diverse cultural heritage in the Santa Fe area. Since 1961, we have been engaged in the community, highlighting the enduring importance of preservation.
This limited-capacity event promises an intimate and unforgettable experience. Secure your tickets today and become an essential part of our preservation story!
Contact Anne Kelly with questions or inquiries about table purchases anne@historicsantafe.org or
505-983-2567
WHERE YOU WILL DINE
The Garden at El Zaguán
Featured Garden Dinner Artworks:
IAIA Exhibition, co-curated by George Alexander
El Zaguán|
Opening, Friday, July 31, 5-7 pm
On view July 31 through August 22, 2026
Garden to Table Dinner, Thursday, August 6, 6-9 pm
Located in the heart of Santa Fe on Canyon Road, the historic garden at El Zaguán is a vibrant, living sanctuary meticulously cared for by the Historic Santa Fe Foundation by the Santa Fe Extension Master Gardeners. Originally designed and constructed in the 1850s as a Victorian-style flower garden by Maria Jesus (Jessica) Montoya, the space has long stood as a botanical testament to the city's changing eras. While it initially relied on the historic Canyon Road Community Ditch (acequia) during the property's mid-19th-century years as a family estate under merchant James L. Johnson, the grounds continued to evolve over the decades. Around 1880, Maria Jesusita Johnson introduced the property’s magnificent European Horse Chestnut trees; today, the surviving 140+ year-old tree remains a treasured, resilient centerpiece of the grounds. In 1928, preservationist Margretta Dietrich acquired the estate and worked with designer Kate Chapman to reshape the layout into a formal, sweeping garden that beautifully reflects the Colonial Revival movement while honoring its early roots. Today, featuring a rich seasonal tapestry of traditional perennials, annuals, and shrubs, the garden remains a serene, meditative haven celebrating Northern New Mexico’s deep cultural and horticultural heritage.
Contact Anne Kelly with questions or inquiries about table purchases anne@historicsantafe.org or
505-983-2567
Elizabeth Chiles
Stardust Dialogues, no. 05
Archival Pigment Ink Print
37 x 25 inches
Photographer Elizabeth Chiles
Represented by Richard Levy Gallery
ELIZABETH CHILES BIO
Born and raised in Texas, Elizabeth Chiles graduated with a B.A. in Art History from Columbia University and an M.F.A. in Photography from San Francisco Art Institute. Her work has been widely exhibited. The artist has taught over 30 courses in theory and photography at The University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, and Southwestern University. Chiles currently teaches at St. Edward's University. She served on the Board of Trustees and was co-chair of programming at the Austin Center for Photography, mentors young artists, and has served as a juror on a number of grants and awards panels. She was honored as the City of Austin arts grant recipient from 2014–2021.
Contact Anne Kelly at anne@historicsantafe.org or 505-983-2567