The story of Northern New Mexico is one of cultural diversity. And not among one or two groups of people, but of many, including the pueblos and the Diné (Navajo), nearby tribes who came to trade, Mexican and Spanish settlers and explorers, and later Anglo settlers and artists.
Susan Folwell (Santa Clara Pueblo), Dreamscape, clay, 13 x 7 in.
This rich diversity of cultures is prevalent in the Couse-Sharp Historic Site’s biennial exhibition La Luz de Taos, which returns to Taos on June 5 and 6. The show will feature 70 artists who represent a large slice of histories, genres, mediums and styles in Northern New Mexico.
While the show will include some of the rock stars of the Western art world—Sean Michael Chavez, Eric Bowman, Josh Elliott, Walt Gonske, Jerry Jordan, Brett Allen Johnson, Roseta Santiago, Jim Vogel and others—the show places a special emphasis on Native American artists, including Marla Allison, Nocona Burgess, Tony Abeyta, J. Dylan Cavin, Susan Folwell, Ira Lujan, John Pepion, Angie Yazzie and many others.
Nocona Burgess (Comanche), Llano Estacado Runner, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 in
Ira Lujan (Taos/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo), Red Quail Olla, hand-blown glass, 8½ x 8½ in.
Few shows throw as wide a net over art in Northern New Mexico, which is one of the key reasons to have a show like this, says Davison Packard Koenig, executive director and curator at the Couse-Sharp Historic Site. “To be able to tell a multicultural story that goes this deep within the culture of the Southwest, and specific to Northern New Mexico, it shows that artistic traditions are alive and well here in Taos,” he says.
While La Luz de Taos is open from April 17 to June 4, Koenig suggests visitors time their visit around June 5 and 6, when the Couse-Sharp Historic Site will host a series of events that will culminate with the sale and gala. Events begin on June 5 with an evening reception and art preview on the Couse-Sharp campus and at the adjacent Lunder Research Center. On June 6, there will be a panel discussion at the nearby Hotel Willa. The title of the panel is “What is ‘Art of the West’ in 2026? Shared History and Separate Mythology,” and it will include guests Michael Grauer, Ryan Suazo, Susan Folwell, Jim Vogel, Arthur López, Carla Bogdanoff and Ezra Tucker. Native American Art executive editor Michael Clawson will moderate the panel.
Angie Yazzie (Taos Pueblo), Black Journey Bowl, choke-fired traditional Taos Pueblo micaceous clay, 13½ x 14 in.
Following the panel, starting at 5 p.m., festivities move to El Monte Sagrado Resort, where the festive gala and sale will take place with live music, food and dancing. The majority of the sale will take place by fixed-price, by-draw ballot, but there will also be four works sold by maximum-bid silent sales. Proceeds from the event will benefit the historic site, including a planned artist-in-residence program that will involve acquiring additional property across the street. —
June 5-6, 2026
La Luz de Taos
El Monte Sagrado Resort
317 Kit Carson Road, Taos, NM 87571
(575) 751-0369, www.couse-sharp.org
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