The Taos Art Colony got its start in 1898. After one hundred twenty-eight years, the society is receiving the revival some have been begging for. This new generation of artists is breathing new life into the historical community.
The revival the Taos Art Colony seemed to be an overnight sensation. The small tourism-based town was quiet until the morning of May 15, 2025 when the artists took to the streets with poems, prose, paintings, and sketches illustrating the best elements of New Mexico. Among the artists were the children of New Mexican authors, including the daughter of Tony Hillerman, Anne Hillerman. They say they are the new generation of artists ‘who are going to give life to the saddened spirit of the arts’. This group draws inspiration from those who went before them and continue the legacies.
The artists, especially the painters, say they base their works off Georgia O’Keefe. One of the female artists says her childhood bedroom was covered in paintings from artists throughout history but her favorites were always done by women, especially Georgia O’Keefe. “She was my inspiration before I knew what that word meant. The first time I saw an artist painting, I knew that’s what I would do with the rest of my life.” She smiled as she fondly recalled the memories. “Don’t laugh at this, but I always feel the spirit of Georgia just looking over my shoulder and guiding me whenever I paint.” She giggled nervously, and shyly stared at the ground.
This new Taos Art Colony says they plan to stay relevant for longer than their predecessors. Part of their plan is to show New Mexican youth that art is not just something to appreciate by looking at but also a type of therapy that heals both readers and writers. This group is more focused on writers and painters than the previous group was. The revival of this group of yore is appreciated by the older generations. They say it is a ‘pleasant reminder that the arts have not been bludgeoned to death by the new generation’.
By Emily Lowell
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