MEET THE ARTISTS

Linda is a Tucumcari native and retired real estate broker. She now spends much of her time on the family farm as well as giving back to the community. She draws creative inspiration from nature, often painting landscapes and wildlife. She has recently found creative expression through the art of needle felting. While Linda was not part of the competitive process, she was awarded an honorary residency for her contribution to the creation of the program. Through the gift of her volunteer time and the purchase of materials for three painting classes, Linda contributed over $2500 to the creation of the Artist Residency program.

Linda’s workshops will be offered June 15 - July 15, 2023.

Eugene was born into and lived a traditional lifestyle on the Navajo Reservation. His early years were spent around Gallup, NM until he left home to start the 4th grade in Bingham City, Utah. Upon graduation from Intermountain Boarding School, he relocated to San Francisco, California and worked as a welder. Eugene was a trooper in the NM Mounted Patrol and retired as 1st Lt. after 37 years of service to the state of NM. Welding reappeared and Eugene used it at his last job working on heavy construction for 20 years. The heat principles he still uses constantly for traditional Navajo Silversmithing which he presently teaches at Mesalands Community College.

Eugene’s workshops will be offered July 15 - August 15, 2023.

Franchesca was born and raised in Tucumcari and graduated from Tucumcari High School in 2001. She loves all things artistic; giving back to the community she loves by painting everything from murals on the local library to faces at downtown events. Franchesca draws her inspiration from her children who share her love of painting.

Franchesca’s workshops will be offered September 15th - October 15th

Jim is an accomplished professional photographer. He and his wife June recently relocated to Tucumcari from the Amarillo area. Jim has done fine art photography professionally for 10 years. With more than 40 solo gallery showing including museum work with his I Am Route 66 project, and a certificate of Photography from Amarillo College Jim loves sharing art, photography and the magic of Route 66.

Jim’s workshops will be offered August 15 - September 15, 2023

Laura grew up in Tucumcari and her love for drawing began on short road trips around the area with her grandmother who taught her that “it is our job when we draw to help tell the story.” Laura is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She has created doodles for poems, stories, t-shirts, and youth programs. Most recently her doodles were spotted in a New Mexico SCBWI exhibition in the Santa Fe Public Library Children’s section.

Laura’s workshops will be offered October 15 - November 15, 2023.

is a lifelong artist with a passion for preservation and recycling. She works primarily in textiles with a deep knowledge of historical clothing and material construction. Her art is about creating dialogue between socioeconomic definitions of art. Her art uses recycled materials, especially fabric, to create visual expositions from different eras, asking questions about what art is in comparison to craft and why they are separate. Randi explores the boundaries of the dominant narratives about self expression as art through perceived mundane means such as clothing, embellishment and alteration.

Randi’s workshops will be offered November 15 - December 15, 2023.