A Slow Afternoon at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum — As a Mom and Art Educator

Store inside Georgia Okeefe Museum ©art+time, 2025

Last weekend, I finally made it to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, and wow… it was one of those quiet, beautiful afternoons that stay with you.

I went with my kids, and while they were busy working through the activity sheets the museum had prepared for families (which, by the way, kept them wonderfully focused!), I found myself slowly wandering from one gallery to the next.

Taking Time to Really See

I’ve seen O’Keeffe’s work in books so many times—those close-up flower paintings, the animal bones, the endless desert skies. But seeing them in person is a completely different experience. I lingered in front of some of the paintings way longer than I expected to. The brushwork, the color choices, the silence they carry—it all made me pause.

There was a video playing in one of the rooms, and I ended up watching most of it without even realizing how much time had passed. It showed glimpses of her life, her surroundings, and her thoughts. You could almost feel her independence, her focus, her love for the land around her.

I didn’t listen to an audio guide or follow a tour. I just let myself look, think, and feel. And that was more than enough.

Seeing O’Keeffe Through an Educator’s Eyes

As someone who teaches art to kids, I couldn’t help but think about what O’Keeffe might’ve been like as a child. I saw one small watercolor she painted when she was young—full of playfulness and boldness. It reminded me of my students and how free and unfiltered their creativity is.

It made me think: how do we protect that freedom? How do we let them stay brave and curious as they grow?

The Kids Had Their Own Experience, Too

While I was soaking in all the quiet beauty, my kids were completely into their own world—coloring, solving little visual puzzles, and exploring the space through the lens of the activity sheets. I loved watching them make connections in their own way. They weren’t rushing. No one was rushing. It was just… peaceful.

Little Reminder

If you ever find yourself in Santa Fe, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is absolutely worth a visit—especially with kids. You don’t need to know a lot about art. Just bring your curiosity. Let the colors and shapes pull you in. Let yourself slow down. https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/

O’Keeffe once said:

“To see takes time.”

And really, that’s what I needed—to take some time to see.