(Taos NM)
Went up the high road to Taos for some more gallery hopping. Another place with over 100 galleries; far too much to see it all. My last visit there was about 25 years ago.
Taos Plaza
The Plaza was disappointing and had only shops with tourists in mind. Little art was to be seen there. Just off the plaza I found a couple of co-ops with local artists.
Total Arts Sculpture Garden
On Kit Carson Road I hit the jackpot finding several nice galleries with excellent fine art. Galleries of note were Total Arts, Parsons, and Mission Gallery. I really liked the landscape paintings in those galleries.
Kit Carson Courtyard
Stopped for lunch at the tiny Mexican run La Cueva Café. Had the Enchiladas Nueva Mexicana with salsa verde; then treated myself to Key Lime pie for desert. Both were mouth watering delicious.
Murals in Old Courthouse
I strolled around some side streets enjoying the narrow walkways and old adobe buildings; occasionally peeking into the little boutiques and shops. Amazing how many called themselves galleries regardless of what they were selling.
Adobe Shops in Taos
Another nice find was Act 1 Gallery which featured up and coming artists. It had some very good artwork at reasonable prices. Also, the restored murals in the old courthouse were enjoyed. Other places like artist studios, historic sites, parks, and the native Taos Pueblo were skipped.
Act 1 Gallery
Museums, and famous studios like the Fechin, and the Blumenschein house and studio I had seen on my last visit. There were also the Harwood Museum of Art and the Millicent Rogers Museum which will have to wait for another time.
Campsite by Rio Grande
Prior to visiting Taos, I camped next to the Rio Grande at Orilla Verde south of town. Now called Rio Grande Norte National Monument-Lower Gorge. A sweet spot overlooking the river with only one other camper there.
Camp: Orilla Verde – Arroyo Hondo CG
Scene: Museums, galleries, shops, historic buildings, river
Nice pictures!! I would like to paint the third and last picture. Of course I couldn’t do it justice. Adobe buildings make great subjects for artists. I suppose you have already painted some of them.
Yes, I’ve painted adobe houses and they do make nice subjects. I primarily stick to pure landscapes without evidence of man or animal.
Did you go to the J D Challenger gallery I mentioned ?
No. Didn’t see it listed on any of the guides. Maybe next time?
Taos, one of my favorite towns, and getting there from any direction is just magical.
It’s kind of touristy, but next to the mountains so it has great scenery.
Sad to hear that its more touristy. An art haven is what is expected. My Mom took different painting workshops in or around Taos back in the good years. For me, its all about the weavings… I still enjoy Taos for different reasons.
Still lots of art if you go looking for it. Not as many individual artist studios though. Many have moved to the smaller outlying towns.