Arts & Culture Reporting

Profiles of photographers, writers, restaurateurs, dancers, painters, sculptors… the movers and shakers who make up a culture.

“Connecting with the Cosmos: Nicole Smith on the wonder of astrophotography”
Published by Southwestness
September 16, 2021
How often do you pause to contemplate the cosmos? If you’re like Albuquerque-based astrophotographer Nicole Smith, scarcely a day goes by without a dose of wonder.
“It’s awe-inspiring,” she says. “It kind of blows my mind that people don’t think about it all the time. Like, people don’t obsess about the fact that we’re on a rock floating in space and we don’t know why.”
The “why” may forever elude us, but Smith spends her nights gazing into the “what” of the world beyond our planet. Thanks to her DSLR camera, a few telescopes, and years of practice, she’s able to photograph vibrant images of the sort of space objects studied by NASA. […]

“The Place Where Your Heart Is: Public art celebrates community in Albuquerque’s International District“ Published by Southwestness August 18, 2021The steel pillars feature plasma-cut lettering in both English and Spanish, with sentiments pulled from apprentices’ interviews with folks who live in the neighborhood. Press a button, and the quotes come to life as a recording within the beacon gives voice to their words.“You all are encouraged to listen to these stories and continue to listen to the stories of your neighbors,” apprentice Andrea Selfridge told the gathered crowd, which included around 80 friends and supporters, all sweating under a hot sun even as storm clouds gathered over the distant mountains. “Through unified storytelling, we inspire, educate, and create environments for a better future.” […] — “The Place Where Your Heart Is: Public art celebrates community in Albuquerque’s International District”
Published by Southwestness
August 18, 2021
The steel pillars feature plasma-cut lettering in both English and Spanish, with sentiments pulled from apprentices’ interviews with folks who live in the neighborhood. Press a button, and the quotes come to life as a recording within the beacon gives voice to their words.
“You all are encouraged to listen to these stories and continue to listen to the stories of your neighbors,” apprentice Andrea Selfridge told the gathered crowd, which included around 80 friends and supporters, all sweating under a hot sun even as storm clouds gathered over the distant mountains. “Through unified storytelling, we inspire, educate, and create environments for a better future.” […]

“Inspired by Texas family recipes, Ms. Gennie’s House of Chicken brings southern fare to old Monroe’s” Published by Downtown Albuquerque News September 8, 2021Skip ahead a few decades to 2020, when Vela brought those family flavors to Albuquerque in… — “Inspired by Texas family recipes, Ms. Gennie’s House of Chicken brings southern fare to old Monroe’s”
Published by Downtown Albuquerque News
September 8, 2021
Skip ahead a few decades to 2020, when Vela brought those family flavors to Albuquerque in the form of Ms. Gennie’s House of Chicken, located in the old Monroe’s building at Lomas and Sixteenth. The restaurant is run by Vela and his daughter, Drew Lipscomb.
“Ms. Gennie is my grandma—my dad’s stepmother, but, you know, we don't use the ‘step’ title,” Lipscomb said. “She was flattered that it was named after her. I don’t think she was expecting that at all.” […]

“After a hard year of restrictions, Downtown Growers' Market is bouncing back” Published by Downtown Albuquerque News August 11, 2021“It’s just been blossoming,” said market manager Danielle Schlobohm, surveying the crowds that bustled between vendors on July 31.After Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham lifted all public health restrictions on July 2, Robinson Park welcomed back the maximum 139 vendors, plus live music and yoga. On the cusp of National Farmers Market Week (August 1-7), the tables lining the park’s sidewalks were weighed down with fresh produce of all kinds, from apricots to zucchini. […] — “After a hard year of restrictions, Downtown Growers’ Market is bouncing back”
Published by Downtown Albuquerque News
August 11, 2021
“It’s just been blossoming,” said market manager Danielle Schlobohm, surveying the crowds that bustled between vendors on July 31.
After Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham lifted all public health restrictions on July 2, Robinson Park welcomed back the maximum 139 vendors, plus live music and yoga. On the cusp of National Farmers Market Week (August 1-7), the tables lining the park’s sidewalks were weighed down with fresh produce of all kinds, from apricots to zucchini. […]

“The art of death: Amanda Martinez’s creative fascination with animal remains” Published by Downtown Albuquerque News August 5, 2021Amanda Martinez knows her artwork isn’t for everyone. From gem-encrusted animal skulls to delicately framed scorpions… — “The art of death: Amanda Martinez’s creative fascination with animal remains”
Published by Downtown Albuquerque News
August 5, 2021
Amanda Martinez knows her artwork isn’t for everyone. From gem-encrusted animal skulls to delicately framed scorpions, she offers a dose of the macabre that can startle unsuspecting shoppers.
“Especially at the [Downtown] Growers’ Market, when it’s kind of an older demographic,” Martinez told DAN. “I have all my jewelry on one table, and then I have all my oddities and décor on a separate table on the side. So, when they come into my booth—a couple old ladies chatting—they look around, and then they’re like, ‘Oh my god, what is that! Is that a bone?’”
Yes, it’s a bone: Her handcrafted pieces include everything from gracefully posed snake skeletons to earrings with tiny mammalian jaws. […]

“Ancora Cafe & Bakery: A vibrant sober space for the whole community“ Published by Southwestness August 4, 2021The cafe provides not only a good wage and on-the-job training, but an environment that supports drug-free living. The goal: Within a … — “Ancora Cafe & Bakery: A vibrant sober space for the whole community”
Published by Southwestness
August 4, 2021
The cafe provides not only a good wage and on-the-job training, but an environment that supports drug-free living. The goal: Within a few months, help each employee land a long-term job, then start training the next interns.
It’s an ambitious project, but Ancora’s leadership brings the necessary expertise. The nonprofit was founded in late 2020 by Dominic Cagliostro, a social worker who has worked as a clinician since 2008. […]

“New mural celebrates New Mexico United’s female fanbase” Published by Downtown Albuquerque News July 20, 2021“Her Strength” is the result of a collaboration between New Mexico United and artist Jodie Herrera, who recently finished painting the east… — “New mural celebrates New Mexico United’s female fanbase”
Published by Downtown Albuquerque News
July 20, 2021
“Her Strength” is the result of a collaboration between New Mexico United and artist Jodie Herrera, who recently finished painting the east wall of the 505 Central Food Hall across from the KiMo Theatre.
“I’m not usually a sports fan, but I feel like United’s very different,” Herrera told DAN. “[The fans] are showing up not just for soccer, but for each other. It feels like they’re showing up to support New Mexico.” […]

“Another Way of Moving: Dancing Earth founder Rulan Tangen explores liminal spaces“ Published by Southwestness July 14, 2021Tangen first encountered this land and sky from the passenger seat of a car passing through the Southwest.“I remember seeing red rocks, and I could feel choreography,” she says. “I didn’t even know what choreography was — I didn’t want to be a choreographer then. But I could feel another way of moving coming through.”When the time came to make her move in 1998, she hitched a ride west from New York City and caught a bus to Santa Fe. […] — “Another Way of Moving: Dancing Earth founder Rulan Tangen explores liminal spaces”
Published by Southwestness
July 14, 2021
Tangen first encountered this land and sky from the passenger seat of a car passing through the Southwest.
“I remember seeing red rocks, and I could feel choreography,” she says. “I didn’t even know what choreography was — I didn’t want to be a choreographer then. But I could feel another way of moving coming through.”
When the time came to make her move in 1998, she hitched a ride west from New York City and caught a bus to Santa Fe. […]

“At the brand new Katrina Ice Cream, a blend of cultural inspiration in every bite”
Published by Downtown Albuquerque News
July 14, 2021

Although the ice creamery is a family business, “Katrina” isn’t a family name. It references la Calavera Catrina, the iconic figure of an elegantly dressed skeleton associated with Día de los Muertos. […]

“Friedje vanGils, for 40 years a driving force at Escuela del Sol and Harwood Art Center, to retire” Published by Downtown Albuquerque News June 30, 2021“I guess you could say I’m a little bit surprised at how long I’ve stayed, but at the same time,… — “Friedje vanGils, for 40 years a driving force at Escuela del Sol and Harwood Art Center, to retire”
Published by Downtown Albuquerque News
June 30, 2021
“I guess you could say I’m a little bit surprised at how long I’ve stayed, but at the same time, I always felt like I couldn’t have a better job,” vanGils said. “What could I do that would be better? Or more fun, or more interesting.” […]

“Watercolors in the Desert: Artist Zahra Marwan on painting her own story” Published by Southwestness June 25, 2021“It’s a seafaring culture,” she explains. “The art in the ancient civilizations in Kuwait, there’s always fish. Before the wealth of o… — “Watercolors in the Desert: Artist Zahra Marwan on painting her own story”
Published by Southwestness
June 25, 2021
“It’s a seafaring culture,” she explains. “The art in the ancient civilizations in Kuwait, there’s always fish. Before the wealth of oil, it was the wealth of the sea.”
Sure enough, pen-and-ink fish dart through some of her illustrations. In others, the waves buoy swimmers, boats, and even a passing cow.
These days, Marwan is landlocked in the high desert, living in Albuquerque’s Barelas neighborhood and working out of a studio at the Harwood Art Center. And, yet, she finds her way back to the waters of her childhood each time she dips her paintbrush in pigment. […]

“Putting the Continent Back Together: Albuquerque’s newest mural envisions a brighter world” Published by Southwestness June 9, 2021“A lot of people, nowadays, when they think of borders, they think that borders are protecting us,” says Votan Ik, wh… — “Putting the Continent Back Together: Albuquerque’s newest mural envisions a brighter world”
Published by Southwestness
June 9, 2021
“A lot of people, nowadays, when they think of borders, they think that borders are protecting us,” says Votan Ik, who founded NRSGNTS just over 20 years ago.
As he sees it, however, border enforcement fundamentally harms the land, fosters exploitation, and sows conflict.
“That is not something that we as Indigenous people of this continent have executed, right?” he says. […]

“Fifty years on, recalling a round building in a rectangular world” Published by Downtown Albuquerque News June 24, 2021“George was interested in trying to do something that was creative,” recalled Bart Prince, who knew Wynn and is no stranger to of… — “Fifty years on, recalling a round building in a rectangular world”
Published by Downtown Albuquerque News
June 24, 2021
“George was interested in trying to do something that was creative,” recalled Bart Prince, who knew Wynn and is no stranger to off-beat architecture himself, having designed the spaceshipesque “Bug House” off of Monte Vista Boulevard.
“The kind of work that interested me was more unusual, creative work,” Prince told DAN. “And George was the closest to anybody I could find around here.” […]

“Singing With the Loom: Petra Brown traces weaving’s cross-cultural threads“ Published by Southwestness May 26, 2021Weaving is so fundamental to many lifeways that stories trace the craft’s origins back to our creation or emergence. Some traditions tell of spiritual beings teaching humans to spin thread, or demigods proffering the gift of looms.“A lot of cultures have weaving connected in their mythology, and in their cosmological, ontological stories of development,” Brown continues. “But I think, from the few cultures I’ve studied with, the way they express that is different.” […] — “Singing With the Loom: Petra Brown traces weaving’s cross-cultural threads”
Published by Southwestness
May 26, 2021
Weaving is so fundamental to many lifeways that stories trace the craft’s origins back to our creation or emergence. Some traditions tell of spiritual beings teaching humans to spin thread, or demigods proffering the gift of looms.
“A lot of cultures have weaving connected in their mythology, and in their cosmological, ontological stories of development,” Brown continues. “But I think, from the few cultures I’ve studied with, the way they express that is different.” […]

“Here, Food Is Always Free: A branch of the gift economy sets up shop at the mall“ Published by Southwestness May 13, 2021“There’s so much food, and it’s growing right here,” Garrison says. “As we started noticing that and were aware of the hunger i… — “Here, Food Is Always Free: A branch of the gift economy sets up shop at the mall”
Published by Southwestness
May 13, 2021
“There’s so much food, and it’s growing right here,” Garrison says. “As we started noticing that and were aware of the hunger in New Mexico, it just really drove us.”
Soon, they became grassroots organizers, growing a network of partners from the ground up just by knocking on doors and placing calls.
Over time, FIFABQ developed a practice of “mindful distribution,” in which they strive to deliver fresh food straight to the communities who currently need it. […]

“Burque Bakehouse, an alum of Downtown markets, settles into a brick-and-mortar location” Published by Downtown Albuquerque News June 9, 2021Something sweet is happening in the South Broadway neighborhood. Something savory, too: Burque Bakehouse, wh… — “Burque Bakehouse, an alum of Downtown markets, settles into a brick-and-mortar location”
Published by Downtown Albuquerque News
June 9, 2021
Something sweet is happening in the South Broadway neighborhood. Something savory, too: Burque Bakehouse, which since 2015 has been a regular at the Rail Yards Market and Downtown Growers’ Market, now offers a full range of baked goods at Hazeldine and Broadway, its first permanent location. […]

“Old Town’s Central Jive is a tea house with a CBD twist” Published by Downtown Albuquerque News May 12, 2021Central Jive is not your typical tea house. There are no black or green tea options, no milk or sugar. Instead, a wall-length menu offers custom herbal blends like “Blue Galactica (for lucid dreaming)” and “You’re My Sunshine (for a positive mood).” And that’s before you get to an ingredient not typically found in tea: CBD. […] — “Old Town’s Central Jive is a tea house with a CBD twist”
Published by Downtown Albuquerque News
May 12, 2021
Central Jive is not your typical tea house. There are no black or green tea options, no milk or sugar. Instead, a wall-length menu offers custom herbal blends like “Blue Galactica (for lucid dreaming)” and “You’re My Sunshine (for a positive mood).”
And that’s before you get to an ingredient not typically found in tea: CBD. […]

“From Basketry to Beadwork: Artist Molly Pesata on her beloved Jicarilla Apache heritage” Published by Southwestness May 7, 2021“My brothers have a bad habit of dropping a deer off when they get one.” That is, after they’ve gone hunting, they want her to butcher the deer for them. A laugh bubbles up as she imitates their attitude: “Sister will do it!”Not that Pesata minds. They leave her with a leg of venison as thanks for her help, along with a fresh hide to tan. She also enjoys the work of handling an entire deer, which she does about once a year.“Oh my gosh, it’s a lot of work, but I just love it so much,” she says. “We all learn at a young age how to harvest a deer and process everything all the way down to the hide. It’s good to have that knowledge. And it’s a lot of fun.” […] — “From Basketry to Beadwork: Artist Molly Pesata on her beloved Jicarilla Apache heritage”
Published by Southwestness
May 7, 2021
“My brothers have a bad habit of dropping a deer off when they get one.” That is, after they’ve gone hunting, they want her to butcher the deer for them. A laugh bubbles up as she imitates their attitude: “Sister will do it!”
Not that Pesata minds. They leave her with a leg of venison as thanks for her help, along with a fresh hide to tan. She also enjoys the work of handling an entire deer, which she does about once a year.
“Oh my gosh, it’s a lot of work, but I just love it so much,” she says. “We all learn at a young age how to harvest a deer and process everything all the way down to the hide. It’s good to have that knowledge. And it’s a lot of fun.” […]

“Wandering in Open Spaces: A painter, a photographer, and an invitation to meditate” Published by Southwestness April 29, 2021In the two years they worked to create this show, Webb and Geist each took meditative walks along the region’s riverside woodlands, known to locals as the Bosque. Geist had her camera in hand, while Webb brought inspiration back to the home studio where she paints.“A lot of times, walking meditations follow a specific path,” Webb explains. “But with ‘aimless wandering,’ you’re just really wandering around and trying to be hyperaware to your environment.” […] — “Wandering in Open Spaces: A painter, a photographer, and an invitation to meditate”
Published by Southwestness
April 29, 2021
In the two years they worked to create this show, Webb and Geist each took meditative walks along the region’s riverside woodlands, known to locals as the Bosque. Geist had her camera in hand, while Webb brought inspiration back to the home studio where she paints.
“A lot of times, walking meditations follow a specific path,” Webb explains. “But with ‘aimless wandering,’ you’re just really wandering around and trying to be hyperaware to your environment.” […]

“Remember That You’re Alive: Artist Adri De La Cruz on grief and the creative process” Published by Southwestness April 22, 2021“You’re hiking with your family, and there’s just — a dead thing,” they continue. “It’s really not uncommon when you’re out in the desert.”Death is indeed everywhere in the desert. It’s in the cracked ground and parched air, the rattle of bones and prick of cactus needles. De La Cruz wants us to face this death — and, in the process, face life. After all, life is everywhere in the desert, too: Those bones and needles are grown by creatures in a thriving ecosystem. […] — “Remember That You’re Alive: Artist Adri De La Cruz on grief and the creative process”
Published by Southwestness
April 22, 2021
“You’re hiking with your family, and there’s just — a dead thing,” they continue. “It’s really not uncommon when you’re out in the desert.”
Death is indeed everywhere in the desert. It’s in the cracked ground and parched air, the rattle of bones and prick of cactus needles.
De La Cruz wants us to face this death — and, in the process, face life. After all, life is everywhere in the desert, too: Those bones and needles are grown by creatures in a thriving ecosystem. […]

“Ancestral Land, Contemporary Lens: Photographer Kevin Beltran on the backroads of northern New Mexico“ Published by Southwestness April 15, 2021New Mexico is famously photogenic — or at least, parts of it are. Tourists flock to the golden adobe of Taos Pueblo. Cameras click at fiery sunsets over mesas. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta touts itself as the most photographed event in the world.There’s more to this place than sunsets and balloons, though. One young photographer has a keen eye for documenting what others might miss.“I’ll just be driving around backroads, and people will look at me funny cause I’m taking photos,” he says with a laugh. “I don’t think they get that a lot.” […] — “Ancestral Land, Contemporary Lens: Photographer Kevin Beltran on the backroads of northern New Mexico”
Published by Southwestness
April 15, 2021
New Mexico is famously photogenic — or at least, parts of it are. Tourists flock to the golden adobe of Taos Pueblo. Cameras click at fiery sunsets over mesas. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta touts itself as the most photographed event in the world.
There’s more to this place than sunsets and balloons, though. One young photographer has a keen eye for documenting what others might miss.
“I’ll just be driving around backroads, and people will look at me funny cause I’m taking photos,” he says with a laugh. “I don’t think they get that a lot.” […]

“Dancing Behind Barbed Wire: How Keshet helps teens create moments of liberation while incarcerated” Published by Southwestness April 7, 2021At a glance, this might look like any other dance rehearsal at any other school. But this isn’t a school you can glance inside: It’s a state-run youth lockdown facility. The teens wear matching rec clothes, and their class is monitored by corrections staff and security cameras.Another stumble. Normally a dance teacher might step in to offer some hands-on instruction, but this facility has strict guidelines about physical boundaries. Instead, the instructor offers verbal feedback from a distance. […] — “Dancing Behind Barbed Wire: How Keshet helps teens create moments of liberation while incarcerated”
Published by Southwestness
April 7, 2021
At a glance, this might look like any other dance rehearsal at any other school. But this isn’t a school you can glance inside: It’s a state-run youth lockdown facility. The teens wear matching rec clothes, and their class is monitored by corrections staff and security cameras.
Another stumble. Normally a dance teacher might step in to offer some hands-on instruction, but this facility has strict guidelines about physical boundaries. Instead, the instructor offers verbal feedback from a distance. […]

“The Heart of New Mexico: ABQ Artwalk celebrates three years of community engagement” Published by Southwestness March 31, 2021ABQ Artwalk is on a mission. The organization wants to get you — yes, you — to experience local art.Its scrappy team of just a few staffers has come up with a simple but challenging formula. They recruit a neighborhood’s worth of shops, bars, and restaurants to participate as venues, then connect them with a region’s worth of painters, sculptors, and jewelers. Once they’ve booked the food trucks and hired the street performers, it all goes on the map.The result: An epic night of food, music, and fun to which the whole city is invited. […] — “The Heart of New Mexico: ABQ Artwalk celebrates three years of community engagement”
Published by Southwestness
March 31, 2021
ABQ Artwalk is on a mission. The organization wants to get you — yes, you — to experience local art.
Its scrappy team of just a few staffers has come up with a simple but challenging formula. They recruit a neighborhood’s worth of shops, bars, and restaurants to participate as venues, then connect them with a region’s worth of painters, sculptors, and jewelers. Once they’ve booked the food trucks and hired the street performers, it all goes on the map.
The result: An epic night of food, music, and fun to which the whole city is invited. […]

“Art and Soul and Outer Space: Discover a world of creativity at Albuquerque’s newest artist collective” Published by Southwestness March 25, 2021Viewing California through his outsider’s lens, he never got over how unsettlingly alien life felt there. An eerie encounter with wildfires became a turning point.“I realize the window’s open and everything in my apartment is covered in dust and ash that blew in from the wildfires. The ash has this red-orange, rusty color to it. I look out the window and the sky is hazed over in this orange, brown, pink. The sun is just this magenta blur. It literally looked like Mars.” […] — “Art and Soul and Outer Space: Discover a world of creativity at Albuquerque’s newest artist collective”
Published by Southwestness
March 25, 2021
Viewing California through his outsider’s lens, he never got over how unsettlingly alien life felt there. An eerie encounter with wildfires became a turning point.
“I realize the window’s open and everything in my apartment is covered in dust and ash that blew in from the wildfires. The ash has this red-orange, rusty color to it. I look out the window and the sky is hazed over in this orange, brown, pink. The sun is just this magenta blur. It literally looked like Mars.” […]

“Semana Santa Around the World: From sea to sand to Zoom with historian Nicolasa Chávez” Published by Southwestness March 17, 2021“My grandfather found the one plaza in Sevilla where every single procession ends up going by,” she says. Those processions include enormous floats, each carried by 20 to 40 people, as well as flamenco-style hymns called Saetas, sung from balconies as the Virgin Mary passes through the street below.The festivities felt foreign to her, so she was surprised to learn that her fellow New Mexicans hold similar celebrations back home. […] — “Semana Santa Around the World: From sea to sand to Zoom with historian Nicolasa Chávez”
Published by Southwestness
March 17, 2021
“My grandfather found the one plaza in Sevilla where every single procession ends up going by,” she says. Those processions include enormous floats, each carried by 20 to 40 people, as well as flamenco-style hymns called Saetas, sung from balconies as the Virgin Mary passes through the street below.
The festivities felt foreign to her, so she was surprised to learn that her fellow New Mexicans hold similar celebrations back home. […]

“Noé Barnett’s Shifting Perspectives: The artist talks gray areas and purple paint” Published by Southwestness March 10, 2021“I believe that, if you put the time in, anyone can learn how to render or draw realistically or paint realistically,” he says. “I just put the time in and got a lot better.”“Still trying to get better,” he adds. “I’m still new to the whole game, in the grand scheme of things. I’m always learning.” […] — “Noé Barnett’s Shifting Perspectives: The artist talks gray areas and purple paint”
Published by Southwestness
March 10, 2021
“I believe that, if you put the time in, anyone can learn how to render or draw realistically or paint realistically,” he says. “I just put the time in and got a lot better.”
“Still trying to get better,” he adds. “I’m still new to the whole game, in the grand scheme of things. I’m always learning.” […]

“The Activist Art of Joeseph Arnoux: The journey to find his political voice — and the confidence to use it” Published by Southwestness March 3, 2021When Arnoux learned that a local group was organizing carpools to Standing Rock, he jumped at the chance to join them.“I had nothing to lose,” he says. “I got wind of that, signed up, and went there to be a part of AIM Albuquerque’s camp.”“I remember getting there on Thanksgiving Day,” he recalls. “Everyone went to get food, and I just sat by the campfire by myself. It was a time for healing.” […] — “The Activist Art of Joeseph Arnoux: The journey to find his political voice — and the confidence to use it”
Published by Southwestness
March 3, 2021
When Arnoux learned that a local group was organizing carpools to Standing Rock, he jumped at the chance to join them.
“I had nothing to lose,” he says. “I got wind of that, signed up, and went there to be a part of AIM Albuquerque’s camp.”
“I remember getting there on Thanksgiving Day,” he recalls. “Everyone went to get food, and I just sat by the campfire by myself. It was a time for healing.” […]

“The Three Sisters of Lindy Vision: Music as an act of self-determination” Published by Southwestness February 16, 2021“We’ve reconnected with our tribe in our adult years, and that’s — for me — the best feeling in the world,” Natasha says. “Every time I go, I feel welcomed. You just tell someone your last name and who your family is, and they’re like, oh yeah, we’re related! Those are my cousins, those are my people.”“Even though I didn’t grow up there, it’s always been home,” Dee Dee agrees. “It’s just so sacred to us. The mountains. The land. Everything.” […] — “The Three Sisters of Lindy Vision: Music as an act of self-determination”
Published by Southwestness
February 16, 2021
“We’ve reconnected with our tribe in our adult years, and that’s — for me — the best feeling in the world,” Natasha says. “Every time I go, I feel welcomed. You just tell someone your last name and who your family is, and they’re like, oh yeah, we’re related! Those are my cousins, those are my people.”
“Even though I didn’t grow up there, it’s always been home,” Dee Dee agrees. “It’s just so sacred to us. The mountains. The land. Everything.” […]

“Take Care (with) Textiles: Fiber artist Erin Schoch on big leaps and small dreams” Published by Southwestness February 24, 2021“If you look at old ’70s macramé, that’s the stuff that does it for me!” Schoch says. “That’s what I’d like to pay homage to. I love ’70s décor. Anything ’70s just warms my heart.”She’s also inspired by the colors and textures of the local landscape. Her work is rich in earthy browns and oranges complemented by bits of turquoise. Many pieces hang from polished branches, quite literally tying a room’s décor to the natural world. […] — “Take Care (with) Textiles: Fiber artist Erin Schoch on big leaps and small dreams”
Published by Southwestness
February 24, 2021
“If you look at old ’70s macramé, that’s the stuff that does it for me!” Schoch says. “That’s what I’d like to pay homage to. I love ’70s décor. Anything ’70s just warms my heart.”
She’s also inspired by the colors and textures of the local landscape. Her work is rich in earthy browns and oranges complemented by bits of turquoise. Many pieces hang from polished branches, quite literally tying a room’s décor to the natural world. […]

“Unapologetically Colorful: Artist Alicia Sosa-Provencio talks heritage, motherhood, and a world of color“ Published by Southwestness February 9, 2021“I’ve had this vision in me to paint this breastfeeding Virgin Mary since I became a mom eight years ago,” she recalled in a recent conversation for Southwestness. “But I just didn’t feel like I was capable of painting what I saw.”Although she took painting classes in college, she never had the confidence to call herself an artist. It would take two more pregnancies, three young children, and nearly a decade for her to finally put brush to canvas again and bring her image to life. […] — “Unapologetically Colorful: Artist Alicia Sosa-Provencio talks heritage, motherhood, and a world of color”
Published by Southwestness
February 9, 2021
“I’ve had this vision in me to paint this breastfeeding Virgin Mary since I became a mom eight years ago,” she recalled in a recent conversation for Southwestness. “But I just didn’t feel like I was capable of painting what I saw.”
Although she took painting classes in college, she never had the confidence to call herself an artist. It would take two more pregnancies, three young children, and nearly a decade for her to finally put brush to canvas again and bring her image to life. […]

“Red Power at the Albuquerque Museum: An Indigenous-led exhibition transcends whitewashed national narratives” Published by Southwestness February 2, 2021“Think of the founding narratives of this country,” Estes said. “The narratives that it tells itself about this exceptional, multicultural democracy, where everyone is included. At the same time, those narratives completely erase Indigenous communities and the existence of Native people.”This erasure exists in everything from centuries of “Manifest Destiny” propaganda to biased contemporary textbooks, and hundreds of museum walls in between. […] — “Red Power at the Albuquerque Museum: An Indigenous-led exhibition transcends whitewashed national narratives”
Published by Southwestness
February 2, 2021
“Think of the founding narratives of this country,” Estes said. “The narratives that it tells itself about this exceptional, multicultural democracy, where everyone is included. At the same time, those narratives completely erase Indigenous communities and the existence of Native people.”
This erasure exists in everything from centuries of “Manifest Destiny” propaganda to biased contemporary textbooks, and hundreds of museum walls in between. […]

“Where There’s a Wall, There’s a Way: Painting the town red (and more) with local muralists” Published by Southwestness January 27, 2021First, Sandoval said he reached out to “old-timers” in the local art scene, wanting to pay homage to their work over the years and give them dibs picking spots. As word spread, he was excited to welcome more up-and-coming artists as well.“Everyone’ll do their own thing — their own style,” Sandoval explained as we surveyed the newly white canvas of the building. “But it’s all going to be about music, to fit the venue.” […] — “Where There’s a Wall, There’s a Way: Painting the town red (and more) with local muralists”
Published by Southwestness
January 27, 2021
First, Sandoval said he reached out to “old-timers” in the local art scene, wanting to pay homage to their work over the years and give them dibs picking spots. As word spread, he was excited to welcome more up-and-coming artists as well.
“Everyone’ll do their own thing — their own style,” Sandoval explained as we surveyed the newly white canvas of the building. “But it’s all going to be about music, to fit the venue.” […]

“Fresh Air, Fresh Art: Kicking off 2021 downtown with ABQ Artwalk” Published by Southwestness January 12, 2021From photographers and painters to jewelry-makers and chefs, artists of all kinds are experts in physicality.Who better to help us all reengage with the physical world as we gradually reemerge from our COVID-safe bubbles, reconnect, and relearn how to share space with one another? […] — “Fresh Air, Fresh Art: Kicking off 2021 downtown with ABQ Artwalk”
Published by Southwestness
January 12, 2021
From photographers and painters to jewelry-makers and chefs, artists of all kinds are experts in physicality.
Who better to help us all reengage with the physical world as we gradually reemerge from our COVID-safe bubbles, reconnect, and relearn how to share space with one another? […]

“A Taste of Pueblo Foodways with Chef Ray Naranjo: Behind the scenes of the Indian Pueblo Kitchen’s new culinary experience” Published by Southwestness January 23, 2021“This is old Tewa oral history,” Naranjo explained. “You have directions and colors, and they’re also parts of prayer. So, appropriately, this would be part of a prayer scheme.”In addition to the meal itself, and the prayer of blessing it embodies, Pante Project participants receive an invitation to an online video in which Naranjo demonstrates each dish’s preparation at the Indian Pueblo Kitchen’s pante. […] — “A Taste of Pueblo Foodways with Chef Ray Naranjo: Behind the scenes of the Indian Pueblo Kitchen’s new culinary experience”
Published by Southwestness
January 23, 2021
“This is old Tewa oral history,” Naranjo explained. “You have directions and colors, and they’re also parts of prayer. So, appropriately, this would be part of a prayer scheme.”
In addition to the meal itself, and the prayer of blessing it embodies, Pante Project participants receive an invitation to an online video in which Naranjo demonstrates each dish’s preparation at the Indian Pueblo Kitchen’s pante. […]

“Depicting a Culture That Is Not Yours” Self-Published on Medium May 22, 2016 — “Depicting a Culture That Is Not Yours”
Self-Published on Medium
May 22, 2016

“Sherman Alexie Talks Radical Happiness” Published by ABQ Free Press May 20, 2016 — “Sherman Alexie Talks Radical Happiness”
Published by ABQ Free Press
May 20, 2016

“Objets Nucléaires: The Art of Abbey Hepner” Published by ABQ Free Press April 20, 2016 — “Objets Nucléaires: The Art of Abbey Hepner”
Published by ABQ Free Press
April 20, 2016

“Giving Ballet a Whirl at Keshet” Published by ABQ Free Press April 6, 2016 — “Giving Ballet a Whirl at Keshet”
Published by ABQ Free Press
April 6, 2016

“French Fusion Invades Downtown” Published by ABQ Free Press March 9, 2016 — “French Fusion Invades Downtown”
Published by ABQ Free Press
March 9, 2016