An Artist’s inspiration can come from anywhere, it’s a matter of looking at the world and letting your imagination go. One Saturday, while working on some canvases as his two young boys watched television, Leland Holiday glanced at the screen and saw Bugs Bunny with a blanket wrapped around him.

Leland Holiday was born into one of the most famous families in Navajo basket making but it was never something he was interested in learning. 

“I didn’t want to make baskets,” he says. “But I always knew I wanted to be an artist.”

When the Winter Olympics came to Salt Lake City in 2002, one of the most popular attractions for people from all over the world was the exhibit on Native American cultures and lifestyles. The organizers of the Olympics made a special effort to highlight the tribes of Utah and the Southwest. 

Acts of kindness are usually done without any thought of personal gain or any idea of what they could lead to. Sometimes they are simple, solitary gifts; sometimes they can change a life.

I’d like to share a couple of stories (and there are lots of them!) about Stanton Englehart.  He taught at Fort Lewis College for over 30 years where he was the head of the art department.

Two of our most popular Holiday events are this weekend. On Friday, December 7, from 5 until 9 pm, join us for Noel Night, a Durango tradition!

Maria is deservedly considered the “Potter of San Ildefonso” because of her long and illustrious career and her part in creating the black on black pottery that made her famous. Her polishing technique created the first “gun metal” finish and her legacy is etched in clay.

When Albert Dreher began painting fine art, following a successful career as a commercial artist, he was looking for something different, something that would make his work unique.

For several years, Peter quit painting and focused on canvas art, sewing animal figures out of canvas and decorating them with feathers, beads and acrylic paints.

I kept asking him when he was going to start painting again and last year he broke out the easel and reached into his bag of creativity.

This last year I met an amazing, interesting and talented artist that we are looking forward to sharing with the you. This young man and his talent are for real. I would like to share his fascinating journey towards becoming a great artist.

The Fall Gallery Walk was founded in 1983 by the four original members of the Durango Gallery Association. Toh-Atin Gallery is the last one standing of the original group and we are happy that the Gallery Association continues to grow in both numbers and quality.