Santa Fe, NM
Canyon Road, May 12-13
An artist works on Canyon Road during last year’s Spring Art Festival.
This story was featured in the May 2017 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art May 2017 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
Now in its sixth year, the Canyon Road Spring Art Festival returns on Mother’s Day weekend. As always, galleries host receptions on Friday evening where collectors and art enthusiasts can meet and mingle with artists. On Saturday, May 13, the artists hit Canyon Road at 10 a.m. with their paintbrushes and sculpting tools to create new pieces throughout the day.
Artists travel from across the country to participate in the event, which is hosted by the Canyon Road Merchants Association. Attendees can watch artists working in oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, mixed media, bronze, ceramics, jewelry, and leather.
Painter and gallery owner Barbara Meikle has participated in the event for several years and says this year she plans to finish paintings of both animals and flowers. In addition to bringing live animal models, Meikle also plans to live-stream her creative process on social media during the event. “This is a great way to educate the public about how artists make their art,” Meikle says. “I don’t think people realize everything that goes into it, and here they can see all of the different progressions from start to finish.” Other participating artists include Suzanne Donazetti, Matthew Higgin-
botham, Marshall Noice, Mark White, and Kari Rives.
Bonnie French, president of the Canyon Road Merchants Association, says there will be one major change to this year’s event. In previous years, works completed on Saturday were sold in a live auction at the end of the day. This year the pieces created during the event are sold by the artists’ galleries.
Many galleries also hold silent auctions featuring other pieces by their artists who are participating in the festival. The auctions close on Saturday afternoon. French says a portion of the money raised through these auctions benefits the Santa Fe Public Schools music program.
“This event really deepens the experience of examining art, especially when you get to ask questions and see how things come together,” Meikle says. “It’s just a very wonderful, informative day.” —Mackenzie McCreary
contact information
www.visitcanyonroad.com
This story was featured in the May 2017 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art May 2017 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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