See all 32 statues for FREE on Sunday, July 14,
at the Santa Fe Convention Center
Zozobra, the tower of gloom, looms more than 50 feet above the crowd. The Burning of Zozobra is one of the most popular and treasured events in Santa Fe and New Mexico. This year, the “original burning man” will return on Friday, August 30, celebrating 100 years of letting go of gloom and doom and starting life over feeling new and refreshed.
Painted Zozobra Statues
The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, the event’s sponsors and organizers, have added a new twist for the centennial: they’ve commissioned 32 four-foot-tall Zozobra statues leading up to The Big Burn on August 30. The Kiwanis Club received generous assistance from the Santa Fe Arts and Culture Department and the Santa Fe Gallery Association to create this one-of-a-kind series of hand-painted Zozobra statues.
The fiery destruction of Zozobra is a must-see extravaganza. Every year, more than 60,000 people pack Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe on the Friday of Labor Day weekend to witness the burning of gloom and doom, the destruction of the world’s negative energy, and the restoration of hope and a fresh start for another year.
It’s been called Santa Fe’s “hottest party.” Zozobra — a fully functional marionette made of wood, wire, and cotton cloth stuffed full of shredded pieces of paper on which people’s “glooms” are written — is the “original burning man.” The Burning of Zozobra sends everyone’s worries up in smoke and brings positive energy back into the world.
Free Showing of Zozobra Statues on Sunday, July 14, 2024
You can see all 32 Zozobra statues together for FREE on Sunday, July 14, at the Santa Fe Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some statues will be available to purchase at that time for “Buy-It-Now” prices. Get your free ticket here.
Three Ways to Own a Part of the Historic Zozobra Centennial
There are three ways you can be a part of the historic Zozobra Centennial before the event and proceeds from these efforts will be shared between The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe and the Santa Fe Gallery Association to fund their ongoing programs benefiting our community..
First, you can add a 4-foot-high Zozobra statue to your art collection by bidding on one! The online bidding will be held until the Thursday, July 25 live auction, taking place at 6 p.m. at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. Go here to bid.
The second way is to own a Zozobra fine art print. Join Kiwanis for a festive, unforgettable in-person event on Friday, July 19th at 5 p.m. when a limited edition of (10) Fine Art Zozobra Centennial prints will be revealed in a summer opening reception and auction at The Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection.
Each full-color print contains all 32 images of the Centennial Zozobra Collection of 4-foot fiberglass sculptures, with fine art photography by Bryce Risley Photography. Please register online in advance to bid at the event. Remote bidding is accepted. Winning bidders should be prepared for local pick-up immediately following the event. Remote bidders may arrange for shipping at an additional cost borne by the winning bidder.
The third way you can own a part of the once-in-a-century Zozobra Centennial is by being one of the few to purchase the first-ever Zozobra NFT digital collectibles created by Joerael Numina, soon to be available in the auction catalog. Proceeds of NFT purchases will be shared between the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, the Santa Fe Gallery Association as well as the artist and sponsor, Santa Fe NFT.
Be a part of art history with these highly collectible pieces. Click here for more information.
Zozobra and the Santa Fe Arts Scene
In 1924, a group of artists led by Will Shuster created the first incarnation of Zozobra. The Kiwanis Club’s Zozobra Centennial Project statues are a way to honor the Zozobra artists, enthusiasts, and supporters of the past 100 years.
Connecting with Children
In keeping with the Santa Fe Kiwanis Club’s mission to help our community’s children experience rich, inspiring, and culturally fulfilling lives, the statues were purposely crafted to be child-sized, inviting little Zozobra fans to engage with Old Man Gloom eye-to-eye.
The statues will join forces in a group exhibition at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center at Art Santa Fe from July 12 to 14, 2024, as part of Santa Fe Art Week, prior to the live auction on Thursday, July 25th.
Funds from the sale of the statues and fine art prints will help support the 100th Burning of Zozobra and the Santa Fe Gallery Association’s programs promoting Santa Fe’s art community.
If you want to find out more about the Zozobra Centennial, contact Zozobra Event Chair Ray Sandoval at 206-719-9652 or BurnZozobra.com. For inquiries about acquiring a painted Zozobra statue, contact Santa Fe Gallery Association Executive Director Lisa Stewart Keating at 505-982-1648.
