TAOS STUDIO TOUR

Article submitted to The Taos News:

My Turn by John Staple

TAO-Taos Artists Organization-mission statement: To recreate a powerful community of visual artists who joyfully create and grow together.

In recent articles in both of our newspapers, area Studio Tours have been featured. Noticeably lacking was a comprehensive Taos County wide tour. Of recent vintage we’ve had smaller Studio Tours; i.e. The Watercolor Society, the Taos Canyon and the Ranchos de Taos/Talpa Studio Tours. Others have come and gone. Of necessity all have been small in design and focus, with lack of numbers to sustain any sizable clout.

Artists, it is rumored, generate a fair amount of income for the town and its’ business community. Art is at the core of why visitors come to share this hallowed environment with us. Many, after their initial visits, have returned to settle here permanently. Yet the artistic community seems scattered and adrift. Other areas throughout the United States of comparable size and numbers have art infrastructures which Taos lacks. There is no Arts Center catering to children and adults through their Arts and Crafts programs. There is no Arts Council to supervise and initiate grants and Public Arts Projects. There are no Artists or Poets in the schools programs here, much as our large presence would suggest there should be.

A Taos County wide Studio Tour is not in and by itself a solution to the inertia, which underlies our artistic community, but it is a step in the maturation process. At this time we have no accurate appraisal as to the number of artists residing here or how we impact the region economically, educationally, politically or socially. Because of this we have very little empowerment in any of these areas.

Mabel Dodge Luhan doesn’t live here anymore and what of necessity pertained to her reality doesn’t necessarily pertain to ours. In particular, over the course of the last twenty years, artists report a disintegration of their esprit d’corps. Elders who set the stage for our foundations report a disappointment in how their accomplishments have been undermined and eroded.

Taos has everything it needs to reinstate itself as a vibrant and nurturing arts community and refuge. 80% of what is needed is already in place. Location, name recognition, and a simpatico social milieu and attitude. All that’s needed is to connect the scattered dots. When looked at from a small and limited perspective the task seems daunting and monumental. But when seen from the larger vision of a united community, nothing is beyond our grasp. By working together our remaining 20% of connective tasks will coalesce in no time.

To that end six meetings have already been held for next years Taos County wide Studio Tour. A couple of the meetings have been intense and discursive, as we’ve hashed out the details of the Tour. Birthing is not supposed to be an easy process. As a result, we have a seven-member steering committee and we have established the parameters of the Tour. Our ad hoc committee has named the organization the Taos Artists Organization or the TAO.

The profile for the Tour is as follows:
1. All Taos County visual artists are invited to participate.
2. The Tour will take place on the 2nd and 3rd weekends of October 2008.
3. Cost will be $100.00 entry fee per artist. This will cover minimum publicity and catalogue print costs.
4. The first Friday evening of the two weekends will be a Preview where each artist will exhibit one representative work.
5. A catalogue with a corresponding photo, statement and coordinated map will be published.
6. Though artists countywide are eligible, the geographical locations for Studios will be between Llano Quemado and Arroyo Hondo and the Taos Canyon Ridge and the Gorge.
7. Artists outside the map area will be asked to share a space with others in the map area. Also, Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, Restaurants, etc. are all potential exhibition venues.
8. Each artist will be expected to pull a small part of the communal load as per their expertise and enthusiasm, be these refreshments for the Preview or publicity via connections in NYC, Seattle, LA, Atlanta or international connections.
9. This is a not for profit creative process. Nobody gets paid. All for one-one for all is our mantra.
10. The working title for the Tour is: The Taos Open Artist’s Studios-TAO.

Please bring your talents and expertise and join in the excitement. Next meeting is Sunday, October 7, 2007, 4:00pm at the Touchstone Inn. Call us at 751-1109.



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Sunday September 9, 2007 4:00 PM

Location:

Touchstone Inn, Spa & Gallery
110 Mable Dodge Lane
(Just East of Lota Burger in El Prado)

For more Information Call:

John Staple
Phone: 505 751-1109
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Sunday August 19, 2007 4:00 PM

Location:

William Panzer's art studio
"Contemporary Today"
(Look for the Tire Signage)

62 St. Francis Plaza - Ranchos de Taos

Pot-Luck & Bring a Chair


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Thanks to All that showed up for the First Meeting!!!
(See previous Post)

The SECOND MEETING is Sheduled for

Sunday July 22nd 4:00 PM

Location: T.C. Lillick's Art Studio
1581 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte

(Approx. 1 Mile North of the Overland Sheepskin Ranch
on the Right side of the Highway)

It is a Pot Luck Event - So bring a dish! - and a chair.

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