Entry No. 38 — the Albuquerque file — filed under: feminist art
Through the Flower Art Space
Founded by world-renowned feminist artist Judy Chicago, this art space in historic Belen serves as the headquarters for her educational legacy and radical art projects. The venue features changing exhibitions, an extensive video and book library, and permanent displays chronicling Chicago's landmark works.
The story
In 1977, feminist artist Judy Chicago established Through the Flower as a non-profit organization to handle the overwhelming public response to her epic installation 'The Dinner Party' and to combat the systemic erasure of women from art history. By the 1990s, Chicago and her husband, photographer Donald Woodman, moved south to Belen, New Mexico, where they bought and painstakingly restored the historic 1907 Belén Hotel as their home and studio.
They set up Through the Flower's permanent physical headquarters at 107 Becker Avenue—a storefront that previously housed Nattie's Restaurant. After a period of closure, the venue officially reopened in July 2019 during Chicago's 80th birthday celebration, anchoring the town's small historic railroad arts district. Today, the facility houses working archives, rare ephemera, and preparatory studies from Chicago’s major projects alongside rotating feminist art exhibitions.
What it's like
Arriving at Becker Avenue and Second Street, you will find an unpretentious storefront located just across the pedestrian overpass from the Belen Rail Runner train station. Inside, the vibe is low-key and research-focused rather than high-gloss museum; you can sit down with specialized video recordings, study feminist art books, examine original preparatory studies, or browse rotating exhibitions. Because operating hours are limited and subject to change, verify their schedule online before heading down from Albuquerque.
The move: Ride the New Mexico Rail Runner train down to Belen, explore Judy Chicago's feminist archives and video library, then wander through the historic railroad art district.
- 📍 Belen
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 107 Becker Ave, Belen, NM 87002
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge — Pair a trip to Belen's feminist art archive with a quiet walk through 570 acres of protected Rio Grande floodplain along the way back.
- Mesa del Sol Giant Rattlesnake Median Sculptures — Match Belen's radical art space with another singular public artwork—two 200-foot concrete-and-cobblestone snakes slithering along a median on your drive north.
- The Art Vault at Gallery One — Contrast Judy Chicago's non-profit headquarters with an underground experimental micro-gallery built inside a former municipal treasury vault in downtown Albuquerque.
- Ernie Pyle Public Library — Follow up an exploration of preserved artistic history by visiting WWII correspondent Ernie Pyle's 1940 residential home, now operating as a tiny public library branch.
Good to know
Who founded Through the Flower Art Space?
It was founded by feminist artist Judy Chicago and her husband, photographer Donald Woodman, as the headquarters for Chicago's non-profit art and educational organization.
What is on display inside the gallery?
The venue features changing art exhibitions, permanent displays of preparatory materials and ephemera from Judy Chicago's landmark works like 'The Dinner Party' and 'The Birth Project', plus a video and book library.
How do you reach the art space from Albuquerque without a car?
You can take the New Mexico Rail Runner Express train south to the Belen Station, then walk a short distance south across the pedestrian overpass directly to Becker Avenue.
When is the venue open to visitors?
Hours are limited and subject to change, so you should confirm current operating hours on their website or call ahead before visiting.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Atlas Obscura
last checked: 2026-07-21