Once upon a time, I offered art by a colorful array of global artists from my gallery on Canyon Rd. in Santa Fe.
I had seen the work of a local artist on social media, and invited her to exhibit. She told me she wasn’t a “real” artist. Yet her artwork was extraordinary. Angie eventually was persuaded, and sold many paintings.
A few years later, I closed my gallery, to focus on my own art. Some of the artists I had represented asked me to exhibit their art, in my studio! I gave them space to host, publicize, and curate their own shows. Angie was one of them.
My story became an “our” story in many ways when radio DJ Gary Storm was contacted by a band he once featured on his worldwide radio show Oil of Dog. The band asked to perform in my studio, and we hosted our first small concert.
Word spread, and my studio became a hub for artists, poets, dancers, and musicians, including Tiffany Christopher, Nacha Mendez, The Smoking Flowers, and Grammy winner, Larry Mitchell, who encouraged all with his stories of struggles and successes.
Attendees formed long lines outside waiting to get in.
Everyone socialized afterward, and Gary interviewed performers in his radio studio in our home in Glorieta.
Then…while sequestered at home in 2020, Gary and I talked a lot about what we valued in life, and how much we missed hosting community events. He continued his radio show, and I painted.
One night, I awoke with a vision of a haven for creatives that held a gallery/event space; Gary’s radio studio, and his record collection of 35,000 albums; my art studio, and retreat rooms. Even the name was revealed. I scribbled it in the dark on the pad next to my bed. In the morning, I shared my vision with Gary.
We began our quest to cultivate diverse human connection through the arts, with a vision to link a worldwide family through radio.
We wrote a plan that highlighted our decades of experiences and expertise, and in October, 2022, we purchased an old adobe home that is zoned commercial.
Our goal is to open to the public with ADA compliance and art retreats, but for now it is an invitation only, private venue.
Support our efforts, make a donation:
https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/stormhold-a-haven-for-creative-cultural-compassion