Santa Fe, NM
Canyon Road, October 14-15
Artists work along Canyon Road at last year’s Paint Out and Sculpt Out.
This story was featured in the October 2016 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art October 2016 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
Years ago, historic Canyon Road in Santa Fe, NM, was home to a group of starving artists who would set up their easels and pottery wheels on the sidewalks and create art. This year, the Canyon Road Merchants Association continues to honor those pioneer artists with its annual Canyon Road Paint Out and Sculpt Out.
Bonnie French, president of the association, says the event started as a celebration of Canyon Road being declared a historic road, as well as a tribute to the resident artists. She says the event is a continuation of that initial celebration and keeps getting bigger each year.
The festivities begin Friday evening, October 14, when attendees can visit all of the galleries in the neighborhood and enjoy the unique nightlife. Visitors can also meet the demonstrating artists and preview their work.
On Saturday, nearly 200 artists hit the street and create art while chatting with visitors and collectors throughout the day. French says artists from about 35 galleries are participating in the event. However, an artist does not need representation in order to participate; the association sends out an open invitation to artists in the Santa Fe area, welcoming them to join.
“A lot of our top artists make sure they come in for this event … but we also make it a big community event,” French says. She adds that collectors have the chance to meet those artists whose work they have been collecting, as well as discover new fascinations.
French, who is also the director of Waxlander Gallery, says she is excited to see artists like Marshall Noice and Matthew Higginbotham returning this year. A full list of attending artists is available on the Canyon Road Merchants Association website.
“I am also a collector myself, and I love to see them work because I can see techniques they are using and see them grow over the years,” French says. “It’s nice to get to know where your work comes from, who is making it, and how they’re making it.” —Mackenzie McCreary
contact information
505.795.5703
www.visitcanyonroad.com
This story was featured in the October 2016 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art October 2016 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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