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For years embroidery, weaving, crewel work, crochet, dressmaking and needlepoint were creative outlets for Mary Ellen Merrigan. Now she frames her life perspective like a section of handmade chain. Each link, every day contributes to the whole. Mary Ellen Merrigan forged a relationship with handmade chain more than five years ago when she decided to make her own findings for her beaded necklaces. A happy torch accident led to creative immersion with metal collage. The pounding and forming of each chain link adds expression and intentionality to her artistry. Her work indulges a metal mix of sterling silver and red brass. A juxtaposition of wire, backplate, distinctive beads and stones like pyrite, rhodonite or labradorite call her inner artist out for playful expression. Mary Ellen built a career in the implausible world of selling air. Her years of experience in the competitive world of broadcast advertising launched a consulting practice that emphasized public relations and social media. Today she uses her creativity to emphasize joy in the present moment

Katherine Gauntt I am dedicated to the process of rendering the beauty of nature and the human form on a 2-dimensional surface, but I also love the potentially unpredictable nature of watercolor, and how its most beautiful effects occur by accident, or at least without much manipulation and control. Watercolor can have such luminosity and glow that it lends itself well to figure and flower paintings, as well as the dramatic skies for which our Southwest is famous.

April at Amapola Gallery Pull on your boots and ramble down to Amapola Gallery for “Boots and Bling” featuring paintings by Randi Snidow and wearable art by Pam Troutman. Painter Randi Snidow has an affinity for including boots in her western-themed canvases. Her quirky portraits of calves, bison and donkeys share the wall with giraffes and cowgirls, each portrayed with a sure hand and brimming with life. Pam Troutman’s jewelry includes an artful and varied array of beaded bling for those daily errands—or a night on the town. In a collaboration for this show,Ms Snidow will feature a necklace by Ms Troutman in one of her paintings. Both the necklace and its portrait will premiere in April. Meet the artists at their reception, Friday, April 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. Can’t make it? “Boots and Bling” is available the entire month of April! Lots of time to experience these talented artists’ work, and Amapola Gallery—where it’s all New Mexican, all the time. Amapola Gallery, open daily from 10 to 5. On The Plaza in Old Town at 205 Romero, NW. (505) 242-4311 Amapola-gallery.com New Artists at Amapola Amapola Gallery welcomes two new artists. Claudia Mitchell and Randi Snidow became members of the co-op in February 2026. Stop in to see their work. Claudia Mitchell Randi Snidow

Wendy Ward Wendy Ward I work in mixed media gravitating towards a Southwest “vibe” with color and theme. I grew up in a small town in Ohio, living next to a river I loved. During times of teenage “angst”, I would storm down to the river, sit on a rock and settle into drawing a small plant in my sketchbook. My emotional turmoil melted away. In my mid-twenties, I moved to northern CA finding my way into the corporate world which I found exciting and all-consuming, but creativity took a back seat. When my husband unexpectedly died in 2010, the opportunity to take an eight month “intentional creativity” course presented itself and shifted my life. The course was designed to look inward, using paint on canvas to embrace and express emotions, to seek answers, and to chronicle that journey. It was a healing time for me and afterwards I became certified, teaching the method to others. Although my art has shifted again since moving to New Mexico, I sometimes incorporate some of those previous paintings into new pieces. I adore New Mexico and hope to express some of her charm through my pieces.

Ray Upson After being born and raised in Albuquerque, Ray worked for Paxton Lumber Co. near Old Town Albuquerque for 37 years. Twenty years ago, he got serious about carving, and has attended workshops in Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and Missouri. He especially likes to carve caricatures, Indians, and Santas! He uses Basswood and Butternut wood from Wisconsin, and Spanish Cedar and Aspen from New Mexico.

Leonard Curley Leonard Curley was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the landscapes and traditions of his home state and the greater Southwest shaped his artistic vision. He is Native American, Navajo (Diné), and his heritage is the foundation of his work, informing both the subjects he chooses and the reverence with which he approaches them. He finds his expression in fine art photography, a study of light, story, and identity, an exploration of how culture and landscape shape one another. What began as a hobby of trying to capture beautiful scenery has grown into a body of work that honors sacred land, historic sites, and the living culture of New Mexico. Annual journeys to iconic places such as Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and Canyonlands National Park renew his connection to the land of his ancestors, while his lens also turns toward the cultural heritage and everyday beauty of the Southwest. Through his photography, he captures more than scenery; he reveals the spiritual depth, enduring traditions, and quiet magnificence that define New Mexico and the greater Southwest. His work reflects a balance of artistry and authenticity, mindful of the Navajo Nation, Pueblo communities, and the traditions that continue to shape his home state. “I strive for authenticity in my art, but nature and culture have already done most of the work. The beauty is there within the land and its people. I do my best to reveal it.”

SallyRugala I am a New Mexico artist. My work has been described as peaceful, atmospheric, vibrant, and expressive. I have always loved the act of making things and finding creative solutions. I enjoy learning new techniques and exploring how they can be folded into my creative life. My best photographs usually capture peaceful moments and illuminate the details that were present. Paintings extend beyond observation into personal feelings and emotions and can be anything. This is the reason I enjoy painting so much. It gives me true freedom, flow, and self-expression. Jewelry allows me to share my photography, paintings, and digital art in a new way. I see them as tiny, wearable, packages of love. I hope that viewing my art transports you and wearing my art delights you. May owning something that I have made help to empower you to be your true self and may you experience happiness each time you view or wear it. Contact me and view more of my artwork at: www.ArtistSally.com

Barbara Lewis I have been working with gourds for several years. I have a degree in fine art with my main interest being in design and color. I had worked in several mediums prior to discovering the 3 dimensional challenge of working with gourds and thus combining both design and color to create a flowing and cohesive overall art piece. I design all of my work on the gourd itself with pencil. I do not use transfers and all of the artwork is my own. I then wood burn the designs and color with leather dyes, acrylics, and inks. I use leather, bone beads, turquoise, and other natural embellishments to finish the piece. The finished work is then sprayed with a protective matte or satin fixative.

Art Rosenberg My mixed media pieces on slate reflect my admiration and fascination with Asian Art. They have a minimalist and meditative quality using modest materials, discovered in nature such as stone, bamboo, wood, and sea urchin quills. They are often found during my walks in the mountains, in the forests, and on the seashore.

Michele McMillan I am a local Albuquerque Jewelry designer. I work with silver, gold and natural Gem stones. I source stones from all over the world. My work is mostly one of a kind favoring subtlety and simplicity. I try to create unique pieces of artwork in my designs finding my inspiration everywhere from nature and artwork from all over the world. I like to challenge myself by learning new techniques, using tools of the trade, to enhance my creativity in designing new pieces. I am a mother of two wonderful boys. I began my silver work after they both went off to college. I enjoy every minute in my studio. My husband and I have the opportunity to travel on a regular basis giving me the opportunity to learn about different cultures and history giving me additional inspiration for my work. I love to hike and bike outdoors giving further inspiration into texture and form for my work.

Cristina Diaz-Arntzen I am a retired teacher from Wisconsin. I moved to Albuquerque in 2004 and fell passionately in love with the southwest and the Native American culture. I started creating punch quilts in 2006. I love this medium, because it allows me to use my creativity and color sense to design fabric arts wall hangings with southwestern animals, landscapes, women’s costumes, mystical southwestern designs, and traditional Mexican Day of the Dead images.

Pauline Aryafar My love for polymer clay began in 2014. Suddenly I had found an art medium that allowed me to express myself in a way that felt authentic. It gave me a voice. It has the ability to be crafted to mimic the texture of leather, the veining of turquoise, or the weathered surface of bone. That versatility ensures that my mind is always racing with new ideas and possibilities. My work is inspired by the geometry of the Sonoran Desert – it’s bold silhouettes and sharp sculptural angles. I am also influenced by modern architecture which creates a sense of balance and intention. My clay technique creates patterns that unfold organically. That element of surprise is what excites me. Each piece holds the promise of something new.