Tucked between the lush flora of Big Bend National Park and the arid landscape of the Chihuahua desert, Marfa has emerged as a mecca for art and design in the American Southwest. The emergence of this hub can be traced to 1971, when the town’s languorous and tranquil setting pushed artist Donald Judd’s relocation, who exchanged New York City’s skyscrapers and traffic lights, for Marfa’s tumbleweeds and desert oasis.
Today, the eclectic mix of galleries, installations, carefully curated boutiques and delectable restaurants have transformed Marfa into a cultural center visited by celebrities and art aficionados alike. We have compiled a selection of the best Marfa has to offer, from museums and galleries, to fine dining and shopping.
Chinati Foundation
Established in 1896 by artist Donald Judd, the Chinati Foundation uniquely creates harmony between art, architecture, and the environment, making it a cornerstone of Marfa’s development, and artistic community.
The foundation’s original concept centered around Judd’s own artwork, including 15 large-scale concrete works, and 100 untitled works in mill aluminum displayed in two reimagined artillery sheds with exquisite architectural design. Today, their permanent collection includes works by 13 artists, and a series of special exhibitions by international artists, and members of the community alike.
To visit the museum, we highly recommend booking a guided tour to gain full access to the works on display.
Chamberlain Pavilion
Flooded by a sea of natural light, the Chamberlain Pavilion houses one of the most important permanent collections of John Chamberlain’s work in the world. The 23,00 square foot space houses 25 large-scale sculptures and was newly renovated in 2022 by the Chinati Foundation. It is a must-see destination in the town center, just a quick walk away from Ballroom Marfa.
Ballroom Marfa
A former prohibition-era ballroom, Ballroom Marfa features a myriad of alternating exhibitions supporting non-traditional artistic visions since its establishment in 2003. Ballroom fosters a multidisciplinary approach to the arts, integrating film and music with traditional mediums. This can be observed in Kite Symphony, a site-specific installation by Roberto Carlos Lange and Kristi Sword.
As a non-collecting museum, Ballroom is in a constant rotation of exhibitions. On view through the summer is STEADY, a playful yet existential exhibition featuring sculptural works by Michelle Lopez and Ester Partegàs displayed in unison for the first time.
Prada Marfa
A brainchild of Ballroom, Prada Marfa is an essential sight in Marfa. The permanent art installation by the Scandinavian artist duo, Elmgreen & Dragset perfectly resembles a Prada boutique, only that it is merely that, a display of curated leather goods meant to be observed. Although not commissioned by the brand itself, creative director Miuccia Prada showed appreciation by donating pieces from its 2005 Fall/Winter collection which are still seen through its floor length windows today.
Judd Foundation
With a mission to maintain and preserve Donald Judd’s permanent installations and promote wider understanding of his work, the Judd Foundation offers an extensive exploration of his legacy. Offering multiple guided visits, the foundation encompasses Judd’s residence and atelier, as well as some of his early large-scale projects, as well as a library containing over 13,000 volumes.
Galerie Max Hetzler
Marfa is also home to several internationally acclaimed Galleries, such as Galerie Max Hetzler, with locations in Berlin, Paris and London. Their Marfa space simultaneously serves as an exhibition space and artist residency. On view until December is Katharina Grosse’s Super Eight, a selection of paintings specifically made for this presentation.
Shopping, Dining & Sight-Seeing
Beauty extends beyond the art installations around the town, with nature’s very own inexplicable spectacle: The Marfa Lights. Visible on clear nights these lights twinkle, morph into each other creating an inexplicable natural phenomenon.
Between art tours and gallery visits you might want to experience a taste of Marfa’s vibrant culinary scene. You can dine at Cochineal, the Texan-European bistro helmed by James Beard finalist, Alexandra Gates, or perhaps enjoy the sweet and smoky tastes of the beloved Texan Barbecue spot, Convenience West. A few other standout spots include The Sentinel for a coffee, matcha, or turmeric latte, as well as
As for shopping, indulge in the meticulously curated selection of apparel at shops like Raba Marfa, Communitie, and El Cosmico, or browse locally made leather goods at Skóra Marfa. If finding furniture with excellent craftsmanship is on your radar, pay a visit to husband and wife duo Jamey Garza and Constance Holt’s showroom, Garza Marfa.