Artist Towns? (Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe: rental, to buy, universities)

[stormweary]

Christine,
It looks like to me Corrales is an extension of Abq. The quick search I did, didn't come up with any art info. Is there somewhere specific to look? thanks

[coltoncity]

I too would like to find a definitive guide to artists towns. My daughter is in performing arts and painting. I write and love playing music. We love seeing all arts.

OnTheRoad - I can tell you that even coming from Florida & some time in Maine when I moved to the West Coast it was a culture shock and it took me a long time to adjust.
I still think I dont totally fit but the west is so much more relaxing. I miss east coast rules and bluntness though. I have known many other people who have said the same. You can give it some time but I dont know how long you have been here either. They do say either Taos works for you or it doesnt and that there isnt much in between.

[ontheroad]

Well, I wonder how Stormweary and Iriegirl have made out and if they've found a place.

As for me Coltoncity, yesterday I decided that one year was enough to make the decision that NM is not for me.

I'll be driving back East in early March.

But I'm glad you found this thread which is filled with so much good information.

We really should rate it, positively and give people reputation points for all they contributed.

Oh, and two updates: I did need my 4-wheel drive; we had 4 snow storms and no road clean-up on back roads like mine

Take care and good luck.

Originally Posted by coltoncity

I too would like to find a definitive guide to artists towns. My daughter is in performing arts and painting. I write and love playing music. We love seeing all arts.

OnTheRoad - I can tell you that even coming from Florida & some time in Maine when I moved to the West Coast it was a culture shock and it took me a long time to adjust.
I still think I dont totally fit but the west is so much more relaxing. I miss east coast rules and bluntness though. I have known many other people who have said the same. You can give it some time but I dont know how long you have been here either. They do say either Taos works for you or it doesnt and that there isnt much in between.

[coltoncity]

I wish you the safest travels & yes this post has been the best I have been on. My Thanks to everyone, you have truly helpful with all your information!

[Claycat]

Hi! I stumbled onto this forum today when I googled artists' towns. I've read most of the posts and thoroughly enjoyed them. I'm a wannabe potter, and I wannabe back in New Mexico. I'm stuck here in central podunk Texas, east of Austin. I was actually born and raised in El Paso. My family is still there. The last 5 years, before I moved here, I lived in La Union, NM. It is a tiny community on Highway 28, between El Paso and Las Cruces. The whole area, from where I lived, all the way to Las Cruces is lovely. I really miss it.

Someday I would like to come back to New Mexico. When I was young my Dad used to say the best thing about El Paso was New Mexico. A man wrote in New Mexico Magazine that New Mexico was "mi querencia," the place of my heart's desire. I feel the same way.

[LLD]

Albuquerque itself is fairly thriving with artists as well as several of the bedroom communities around it. And I know personally that there are some plans for trying to get arts going even more downtown.

Dance, jewelry making, pottery, painting and many other kinds of artistry are appreciated here. That is one of the positives I think about New Nexico and Albuquerque.

[Wisteria]

I hear you too, stormweary,crackerjack, and onthe road! Maybe we SHOULD start an artists colony somewhere! Its seems to be what we are all looking for. (no kidding, I would consider it, maybe we should all move to Durango,or Silver City ,and start a co-op?)

I haven't had a chance to go through all the posts yet, because I just found this thread, but I, too, am interested in an "artists' colony/community." I lived in Arizona, Colorado but only traveled through New Mexico. I am also from the eastcoast originally and I understand that conflict of east vs. west.

I write and I also teach art and draw. I am looking for an inexpensive community of artists in a good weather place, but one that isn't really "discovered" yet, but is on its way to becoming "great."

I'll keep checking back, but I'm really interested in what everyone has to say.

Thanks!

[ontheroad]

Although I haven't been to Silver City, know some folks down that way and clay is part of the university curriculum -- and I believe there is a developing art community.

It might be worth checking out!

[Claycat]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

Although I haven't been to Silver City, know some folks down that way and clay is part of the university curriculum -- and I believe there is a developing art community.

It might be worth checking out!

Thanks, Ontheroad! I have been there. The university has a wonderful collection of Mimbres pottery.

The Gila Wilderness and the Gila Cliff Dwellings are not far from Silver City, and I have camped out there a couple of times. The Gila Wilderness is a wonderful place. I feel very connected to it. Maybe I spent a past life there.

Another nice area is Magdalena. I heard it was becoming an artists' area. I was there when I was about 12 (a long time ago) and loved it. We sat on my parent's camper and looked at the stars. I had never seen so many stars; I haven't since. It's no wonder that they put the VLA in the area.

[ontheroad]

Oh, good, Claycat. A friend of mine did a sculpture program down there and I am so fortunate to be able to see her work in our community garden.

I am more a northern temperament so I'm in cold, but beautiful Taos and heading back East in a month plus.

I do so love pottery and clay!

Originally Posted by Claycat

Thanks, Ontheroad! I have been there. The university has a wonderful collection of Mimbres pottery.

The Gila Wilderness and the Gila Cliff Dwellings are not far from Silver City, and I have camped out there a couple of times. The Gila Wilderness is a wonderful place. I feel very connected to it. Maybe I spent a past life there.

Another nice area is Magdalena. I heard it was becoming an artists' area. I was there when I was about 12 (a long time ago) and loved it. We sat on my parent's camper and looked at the stars. I had never seen so many stars; I haven't since. It's no wonder that they put the VLA in the area.