TAOS ARTISANS GALLERY is located in a small mountain town in Northern New Mexico called Taos. Its name is derived from the Native American Pueblo language Tewa, meaning “place of red willows”. Located roughly seven thousand feet above sea level in the Sangre de Cristo mountain chain, which is the end of the Rocky Mountains; the geography is as awe inspiring as its sunsets. Sangre de Cristo is Spanish for “blood of Christ”. A fitting description for the blood red hue that the mountains turn at sunset. The town consists mainly of square adobe buildings which house both shops and residences. These adobes are built of dried mud bricks, which have fantastic insulative qualities. Their palate of hues are earth toned, the color subtle, yet striking.

    The first inhabitants of the area were the Pueblo Indians, and Taos Pueblo is a National Historic Landmark and World Heritage Site, having been inhabited for over 1,000 years. The town of Taos was established in 1615 and dubbed “Fernandez de Taos” by the Spanish. In 1846, the United States laid claim to the territory of New Mexico, installing its first American governor, Charles Bent, who was killed just four months later in what is called The Taos Revolt. On Bent Street, his home is now the Governor Bent Home and Museum, and open to the public. According to the story, the women in his family dug a hole through the adobe wall of the house to escape the angry mob that killed Charles. They escaped into an alley which is now called Martyr’s Lane.

    Starting in 1899, Taos became known as an artist Mecca, drawing big names from the East Coast and abroad. The Taos Society of Artists was created in 1915, by artists Bert Geer Phillips, Ernest L. Blumenschein, Joseph Henry Sharp, Oscar E. Berninghaus, E. Irving Couse, and W. Herbert Dunton. With the advent of Fred Harvey’s railroad empire at the turn of the century, Taos became even more accessible to artists. Socialite Mabel Dodge Lujan, known for her art salons in Europe and New York, moved to Taos and is responsible for introducing many famous artists and writers to the area. Names we all know, Ansel Adams, Georgia O’Keeffe, the writer D. H. Lawrence. America was enamored with the West, and it needed artists to record and preserve it.

    Today, there are close to 100 art galleries in Taos. Located mainly in the historic downtown area, on Bent Street, Kit Carson Road, the Taos Plaza, and Ledoux Street. Taos boasts an art market that competes with much larger cities such as those in New York, and San Francisco. Not bad for a town of 6,000 residents. Organizations like the Taos Gallery Association, the Taos Center for the Arts, and Taos Artist Organization (TAO) unite local artists and galleries, and hold shows, and exhibits throughout town. Now, the nonprofit Artspace USA is considering building affordable artist live/work studios in the downtown Taos area. For all of you artists out there, Taos local and otherwise, fill out the survey found at http://www.artspacetaos.org/ to help pinpoint what type of residences and studios will be built. And stop in to Taos Artisans Gallery on Bent Street for a visit today, where you will find one of the artists behind the desk making something new!

 

WHAT TO DO IN TAOS

 

ART GALLERIES

    Taos Artisans Gallery    One of Taos' oldest art cooperatives. Find an artist in the shop daily. Located at 107 Bent Street in the heart of the historic district.

     Lenny Foster Living Light Gallery    Find Lenny's awe-inspiring photography at 246 Ledoux Street.

     Wilder Nightingale Fine Art    Celebrating over 18 years in Taos! Features work by Rory Wagner, Ray Vinella, and other nationally acclaimed artists. The gallery is located at 119 Kit Carson Road.

 

B&B's, HOTELS, and INNS

    El Rincon    A charming historic getaway in the heart of Taos. Every suite is decorated with one of a kind art by artists from Taos' past. 144 Kit Carson Road.

 

COFFEE HOUSES

    Wired? Coffee-Cyber-Cafe    Need a great little WiFi spot with shady gardens and privacy? Look no further. Find them at 705 Felicidad (the road between Albertson's and Taos Family Practice).  

 

MUSEUMS

    E.L. Blumenschein Home and Museum    The museum has been maintained much as it was when E.L. Blumenschein and his family were alive. 222 Ledoux Street (kitty corner behind the bank on the Taos Plaza).

     Hacienda de los Martinez    One of the few northern New Mexico style, late Spanish Colonial period, "Great Houses" remaining in the American Southwest. 708 Hacienda Road.

     Kit Carson Home & Museum    Located at 113 Kit Carson Road, this is the home of Kit Carson, the famous trapper, and military scout.

     Governor Bent House and Museum       Home of the first U.S. Governor of Taos, and the site of his untimely demise. Find it at 117 Bent Street.

 

RESTAURANTS

     Bent Street Cafe & Deli    A local favorite, at 120 Bent Street. Probably the best sandwich spots in town. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

SHOPPING

    Frank Seckler Gallery    A gallery featured handcrafted metal furniture and architectural accents by Frank Seckler. 107 North Taos Plaza (you know, the square in the middle of town).

 

WHITE WATER RAFTING

    Los Rios River Runners    Rafting Taos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque for over 30 years. Los Rios offers rafting trips for all levels of experience.