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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.

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

Ann Tidrow Connely Ann’s parents recognized and encouraged her artistic talent early. They enrolled her in private lessons as well as sending her to several art camps such as Philbrook Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A scholarship from Young Talent in Oklahoma provided further encouragement to Ann’s artistic endeavors. Ann has exhibited in galleries in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. Patrons include residents from all over the United States as well as England and Germany.

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.”

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.

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.

Randi Snidow Randi is the mother of two girls and seven grandchildren. She grew up in Albuq. where she attended Manzano high school, CNM and later UNM. Creative roots stem from Randi's early years and after high school she enrolled at the University of NM where she pursued an art degree. However, a detour led the artist into the field of dental hygiene propelling her into a world of three-dimensional art such as teeth. A very hands-on person, Randi found herself thriving on caring for the public while enjoying the art of tooth morphology. After 27 years as a dental hygienist Randi retired at the onset of the pandemic. With her health career behind her, this mostly self-taught artist was now free to pursue her love for art in the medium of oils, pastels and Gouache. No matter what the choice of subject, Randi works at capturing the mood and personality of her focus. Human & animal portraits have been a favorite but recently she has ventured into the world of ranch life with recent paintings of private cattle herds, cowgirl portraits and still life such as boots. Randi works from photos and has done several commission pieces. Throughout her 27 years of dental hygiene Randi sold her work privately and to the public. After her retirement she embraced the world of art more seriously and genuinely loves creating new works. The choice of paint Randi uses is professional, non-fade grade (oil paint, oil pencils or Gouache) and is applied to either mixed media portrait paper, canvas or aquabord (clay covered art board ). At completion of her paintings, Randi seals them with a museum quality professional UV protective varnish. randi@snidowart.com www.snidowart.com

Delfie Martinez My fascination with glass started several years ago after taking a fused glass class for my jewelry business. I was not satisfied with making small, fused glass cabochons. I soon expanded to making larger pieces. My goal has been to create kiln formed glass that is esthetically pleasing as well as functional. I use several forms of glass including frit, rods, stringers, and sheet glass. Working with glass provides an infinite diversity of color, texture, and form. My work is inspired by the beauty of nature surrounding us. I view my environment with kiln formed eyes. I want to turn what I see into glass pieces.

anniversary event Amapola Gallery 45th Anniversary Celebration On Saturday, June 7th, 2025, Amapola Gallery celebrated its 45th anniversary. Members of the Gallery provided demonstrations on the front patio, prize drawings were held, along with the Mayor's Office of the City of Albuquerque participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the Gallery front steps. A plaque was presented to the Gallery honoring the event, recognizing June 7th as 'Amapola Gallery Day'. Since its beginning, the Gallery has operated at four different locations in Old Town with twenty of those years at the current Romero St. location. Yvette Tovar, Field Representative Mayor of City of Albuquerque, was there to do the ribbon-cutting along with the Gallery. Plaque presented to Amapola Gallery on June 7th, 2025 The original members of Amapola Gallery in 1980.

Marge Farmer-Page Marge Farmer-Page is a macramé artist. It is definitely not a lost art. Marge has an exceptional ability to combine precision and has an infinite knowledge of knotting variations. Although she works predominantly in jute, she has worked in more colorful synthetics in recent years. She added electric Christmas lights to many holiday pieces. Her wall hangings, wine bottle holders, and holiday decorations are all works of art. Among her creations is a large room divider, also pot hangers, wall hangings that feature dried flower and dried weed arrangements that add a color element to an old favorite.

Brenda Bowman I have always loved color in any medium. Like many small girls it began with my Grandmother’s jewelry box. I started designing and selling my jewelry in 1994. I love jewelry, wearing it, making it but especially seeing people buy and enjoy wearing my pieces. I have taken classes in silver work, wire and beadwork, Polymer clay, PMC and Art silver. Each class adds another dimension to what comes to me when I go into my studio to put a piece together. My work can be purchased at the Amapola Gallery in Old Town Albuquerque New Mexico and the Mineral & Fossil Galleries in Santa Fe and Taos New Mexico.

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