Northern
New Mexico
Artists
What draws artists to this part of the country? Northern New Mexico has a variety of ecosystems all compressed into a relatively small geography. There is abundant wildlife as well as flora and fauna. We are awestruck by the expanse of pure blue skies and the “cloud encyclopedia” on view daily. Culture draws us here too, where the vestiges of earlier peoples’ presence is still palpable. Have you visited the UNESCO World Heritage site that is Taos Pueblo?
And then there’s the light.
Frommer’s Guide tells us: “Life in northern New Mexico is shaped by the arts. Everywhere you turn, you see pottery, paintings, jewelry, and weavings. You’re liable to meet an artist whether you’re having coffee in a Taos cafe, or walking along Canyon Road in Santa Fe.”
At the next Questa Studio Arts Tour (QSAT), you can explore firsthand the dramatic scenery of northern Taos County (We are the first-of-the-season of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado’s annual art tours). Artists from Questa and the surrounding communities open their studios or gather at easy-to-find hubs offering unique, handcrafted works from the traditional to the modern.
Artworks include hand-carved bultos to exquisite jewelry, stunning photography, paintings, pottery, and much more. The route stretches from the south side of Questa, along the edge of the national forest to the east, and culminates to the north, at Sunshine Valley, a stone’s throw from the Rio Grande gorge. You can travel it from any direction, or course!
Local Questa Area Artists
Karen Ahlgren, painter
Barrie Andrews, printmaker, glass art, OCHO
Patsy Archuleta, crafts, Rael’s Market
Ruth Archuleta, quilting, Rael’s Market
Monique Belitz, mixed media collage, Lama
Judy Burch, painter, Red River
Boneta Currey-Brown, painter, Red River
Evelyn Coggins, furniture restorer, Questa
Mike Coleman, leather, photography, Questa
Claire Cote, mixed media, Ute Air
Diane deFremery, printing, mixed media, Questa (Mike and Peggy’s)
Roger Harrington, jewelry and painting, ArtQuesta
Sandra Harrington, pottery, ArtQuesta
Julienne Hadfield, jewelry, Questa
Lynnette Haozous, mural artist, Ute Air
Marcus Herrera, woodworker, drawing, Rael’s Market
Cathy Hope, Iris hHrbal
Betsy Irwin, gourd art, Oasis of Lorien
Elizabeth Huddle, quilting
Jay’s Thrift Store
Andy Jaramillo, burl bowls, Questa
Jill Kamas, painter, leatherworker, Ute Air
BJ Konior, folk painting, Questa
Audrey Kunkel, beading, crafts, Oasis of Lorien
Clarence LaCome, folk woodcarver, Rael’s Market
La Sala Studio, yoga
Shera Maher, painting, Oasis of Lorien
Maria Mikhailas, painting, Oasis of Lorien
Mary Miller, painting, Red River
Kathy Morsell, pottery, Ute Air
Joan Norris, painting, pastels
Questa Quilters, Questa Youth Center
Questa Farmers Market
Questa Stained Glass, CarQuesta
Betsy Peirce, printmaker, folk art, Ute Air
Erin Plaster, furniture
Michael Rael, woodworker, Rael’s Market
Cynthia Rael, sewing/crafts, Rael’s Market
George and Lori Rael, antler lamps, furniture
Mose Rainault, furniture maker, Ute Air
Betty Richter, watercolor, ArtQuesta
Mike Ridder, pottery, Questa (Mike and Peggy’s)
William Scott, box guitars, Jay’s Unique Thrift Shop
Martha Shepp, mixed media, installations
Torre Strong, leatherwork, ArtQuesta
Dolores Tafoya, folk art, painting
Cami Thomson, painting, Oasis of Lorien
Peggy Trigg, painting, Questa (Mike and Peggy’s)
Tonya Walker, woodworker, Lama
Armando Vigil, woodworker, Rael’s Market
Ellen Wood, author, therapist
Joan Young, custom shirts, Mike and Peggy’s
