‘It’s keeping those traditions, that spirit alive’
Arroyo Seco jeweler is first woman in years to win Best of Show
It’s been nine years since filigree jeweler Racheal Roybal-Montoya last saw a woman win Best of Show at Santa Fe’s Traditional Spanish Market. So when she found out she won this year’s first-place prize, the news was that much sweeter.
“It’s a big deal … no matter where you are at, men are always in the spotlight,” she said. “To be able to turn it towards us women — it’s empowering.”
Roybal-Montoya’s filigree necklace, Santa Cruz, will be showcased this weekend
at the 68th annual event — alongside artwork from more than 200 New Mexico and Colorado artists.
To win Best of Show is not only a personal honor, Roybal-Montoya said, but also a way to inspire future generations of women — including her 9-year-old daughter Natalia Montoya — to carry the ancient art form forward.
“It’s important to preserve those traditions that our ancestors brought. … Otherwise you see people just floating without roots,” said Roybal-Montoya, born and raised in Pojoaque and now a resident of Arroyo Seco. “It’s keeping those traditions, that spirit alive.”
Roybal-Montoya, 39, said she’s been making jewelry for the past 18 years.
After enrolling in a variety of jewelry classes at Santa Fe Community College in the early 2000s, her interest was piqued in filigree — a technique that uses thin-gauge silver or gold to create intricate lattice-like designs, nicknamed “Spanish lace.” After having no
luck finding a filigree instructor, she said she started reading books, doing online research and collecting antique filigree to learn the craft independently at the age of 24.
Although she only knows of one distant relative who did filigree, she said she believes “I have it in my blood.”
In 2010, Roybal-Montoya said she entered her first Spanish Market. Over the years, she has won numerous awards at the event, including first place in the 2017 precious metals category. She also won first place in the collaboration category last year, when she co-created a pendant with a jewelry box alongside retablo painter Andrew Montoya.
This year, Roybal-Montoya submitted two pieces to the market’s precious metals category: Santa Cruz and Flor de las Flores.
Santa Cruz — a sterling silver necklace linked together with mini spheres, featuring a large holy cross pendant in the center, inlaid with a piece of Egyptian turquoise — serves as a symbol for the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, near Española. That’s where Roybal-Montoya and her husband Jim Montoya married in 2002.
The piece is being sold for $5,000, she said.
“When I work on the pieces, I feel a lot,” Roybal-Montoya said. “I have family on my mind, life on my mind.”
Loved ones attest that Roybal-Montoya’s jewelry is a passion of hers. “She puts a lot of her heart into every piece,” Jim Montoya said.
“When I held [Santa Cruz], it felt really good. It has emotion,” he added. “She makes [her jewelry] come to life. They have a voice of their own.”
Santa Cruz took at least one year of brainstorming before she actually started the work. It took at least a month of work — after she got home from a full-time job as a business research specialist for Wildflower International — to complete the piece, she said.
Winning Best of Show, she said, came as a total shock.
“I was like, ‘You’re joking, right?’ ” she said with a laugh, noting the last woman to win a Best of Show was Julia Gomez in 2010, who created a complex embroidery piece. “As an artist, you always hope your work gets recognized, but when it happens … it’s just amazing.”
Roybal-Montoya said this weekend she will revel in the opportunity to spend time with her “extended family of artist friends,” as well as her mom, Paula Roybal, and aunt, Yvonne Ebelacker — both of whom also participate at the market in the weaving category.
Roybal-Montoya said she looks forward to “just taking a deep breath” when the market concludes and continuing to teach her daughter various jewelry forms.
Next year, Natalia Montoya said she plans to compete in the market’s youth category for jewelry, and eventually follow in her mom’s footsteps.
“I’ve always tried to do stuff like her,” Natalia said.
Adult award winners GRAND PRIZE: BEST OF SHOW
Artist: Racheal Roybal-Montoya, Española Title: Santa Cruz Art Form: Precious Metals
MASTERS AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Artist: Rita Padilla Haufmann, Tesuque Art Form: Weaving
ALTAR SCREENS
Artist Name: Lorrie Garcia , Peñasco Title: Nuestro Señor de Esquipulas y los Evangelistas
BULTOS EN NICHO
First Place: Frankie Nazario Lucero, Santa Fe Title: St. Veronica in Nicho Second Place: Nicolas Otero, Los Lunas Title: Nuestra Senora Virgin Maria Honorable Mention: Charles M. Carrillo, Santa Fe Title: Santo Niño de la Manzana
COLCHA
MARIA HESCH MEMORIAL AWARD FOR COLCHA EMBROIDERY
First Santa Place: Fe Irene Brandtner de Martinez, Title: Embroidered Notebook Cover with 25 motifs Second Place: Annette Gutierrez-Turk,
Albuquerque
Title: Flor Primavera Honorable Mention: Julia R. Gomez, Santa Fe
Title: Adan Nombrando los Animales en Nuevo Mexico
FURNITURE
LEONORA PALOHEIMO AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TRADITIONAL FURNITURE
First Place: Randy Trujillo, Rio Rancho Title: Trasterito del sol Second Place: Andrew C. Garcia, Cuba, N.M.
Title: Peñasco Trastero Honorable Mention: Richard Prudencio, Cuba, N.M.
Title: Alacena de Angelito
GESSO RELIEF
Artist: José Armijo From: Santa Cruz Title: Tres Etapas de Cristo
LARGE RETABLO AWARD
First Place: James M. Cordova, Boulder, Colo. Title: Cruz de la revuelta de 1680 Second Place: James M. Cordova, Boulder, Colo. Title: Santa Clara de Asis Honorable Mention: Arlene Cisneros Sena, Santa Fe Title: Trabajando en la Cosecha de Almas
MULTI-CATEGORY AWARD
Artist: Martha Varoz Ewing, Santa Fe Title: Reflections of Light Art Forms: Mixed Media
PAINTED BULTOS AWARD
First Place: Andrew Montoya, Rio Rancho Title: Nuestro Señor de Guadalupe Second Place: Felix A Lopez, Española Title: Cruz de Viernes Santo Honorable Mention Artist: Mark Garcia, Albuquerque Title: St. Kateri Tekcakuitha
POTTERY AWARD
Artist: Alfred Blea, Medanales Title: Jarra de Aqua
PRECIOUS METALS
First Place: Racheal Roybal-Montoya, Española Title: Santa Cruz Second Place: Racheal Roybal-Montoya, Espanola Title: Flor de las Flores Honorable Mention Artist: Gloria Vigil, Santa Fe Title: La Mariposa y sus hijos
RAFAEL ARAGON AWARD — FOR RETABLOS THAT EMBRACE THE STYLE OF THE 19TH CENTURY TRADITION OF RETABLO PAINTING IN NEW MEXICO
First Place: Lorrie Garcia, Peñasco Title: Jesús Nazareno: Estilo de Aragon Second Place: Ellen Chávez de Leitner, Chimayo Title: Nuestro Señor de Esquipulas Honorable Mention: Lorrie Garcia, Peñasco Title: Nuestro Señor de Esquipulas y los Evangelistas
REVIVAL ARTS
First Place: Lillian Padilla Autio, Santa Fe Title: Abuela’s Santita Art Form: Copper Engraving Second Place: Frank Zamora, Commerce City, Colo. Title: N.S. de Guadalupe! Art Form: Hide Painting Honorable Mention: Lillian Padilla Autio, Santa Fe Title: Sacred Heart Art Form: Copper Engraving
SMALL RETABLO AWARD
First Place: Lorrie Garcia, Peñasco Title: Jesús Nazareno: Estilo de Aragon Second Place: Ruben M. Gallegos, Albuquerque Title: Natividad Honorable Mention Artist: Marie Antoinette Luna, Los Lunas Title: Cruz de Fe
TINWORK
EL RANCHO DE LAS GOLONDRINAS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TRADITIONAL TINWORK
First Place: Nicolas Madrid, Española Title: Federal Mesilla Mirror Second Place: Nicolas Madrid, Española Title: Mesilla Mirror Honorable Mention: Cristina Hernandez Feldewert, Santa Fe Title: Entry Mirror
LEO SALAZAR AWARD FOR UNPAINTED BULTOS
First Place: Luis E. Barela From: Ranchos De Taos Title: Sacrament of Marriage Second Place: Frank A. Salazar, Taos Title: The Passion Honorable Mention: Luis E. Barela, Ranchos De Taos
Title: Multiple Theme Bulto
WEAVING AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN RIO GRANDE WEAVING
First Place: Norma Medina, Medanales Title: Blue Dazzler Second Place: Rita Padilla Haufmann, Tesuque
Title: Vamos Caminando Honorable Mention: Don Leon Sandoval, Rio Rancho
Title: Eye Candy
JAKE O. TRUJILLO AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN WEAVING
Artist: Lisa Trujillo, Chimayo Title: Nocha de Moki
PAINTED RELIEF
Artist: Jean Anaya Moya, Galisteo Title: El que Respeta y Adora La Creación San Francisco de Assisi
UNPAINTED RELIEF
Artist: Ronald J. Martinez, Santa Cruz Title: Sacred Heart of Jesus
WOODCARVING
Artist: Carlos Santistevan, Denver Title: Batalla de San Jorge
STRAW APPLIQUE
PAULA AND ELISEO RODRIGUEZ MEMORIAL AWARD
First Place: Martha Varoz Ewing, Santa Fe Title: Velita de Paz Second Place: Mel Rivera, Santa Fe Title: Jesus Honorable Mention: Bernadette M. Rodriguez, Rio Rancho Title: La Generosidad del Señor
Special awards ALAN AND ANN VEDDER AWARD FOR PROFICIENCY IN THE USE OF TRADITIONAL MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES
Artist: Jimmy E. Trujillo, Albuquerque Title: Cruz de Santiago Art Form: Straw Applique
ARCHBISHOP’S AWARD FOR ART THAT PORTRAYS A RELIGIOUS THEME IN A TRADITIONAL NM STYLE
Artist: Joseph Ascensión López From: Española Title: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Art Form: Painted Reliefs
ARTISTS’ COLLABORATION AWARD FOR THE BEST COLLABORATIVE WORK BY TWO OR MORE ARTISTS
Artist: Onofre E. Lucero, Albuquerque; Felipe Rivera, Santa Fe
Title: San Rafael Art Forms: Painted Bulto/Precious Metals
BIENVENIDOS AWARD
Artist: Lynn Fresquez, Denver Title: The Stations of the Cross
BOECKMAN HONORARY AWARD FOR NEW DIRECTION FOR NONTRADITIONAL DESIGN AND UNUSUAL VISION USING TRADITIONAL MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES
Artist: Andrew Montoya, Rio Rancho Title: San José El Santo Padre Art Form: Painted Bulto
JOSE DOLORES LOPEZ MEMORIAL AWARD FOR UNPAINTED HAND-CARVED WORKS IN THE ‘CORDOVA STYLE’
Artist Name: Tom Lopez y Serrano, Rio Rancho Title: Faith, Hope, Love Art Form: Woodcarving
E. BOYD MEMORIAL AWARD FOR ORIGINALITY AND EXPRESSIVE DESIGN
Artist: Felix A. Lopez From: Española Title: Cruz de Viernes Santo Art Form: Painted Bulto
HISPANIC HERITAGE AWARD FOR IN-DEPTH RESEARCH
Artist: Lorrie Garcia, Peñasco Title: Nuestro Señor de Esquipulas y los Evangelistas Art Form: Altar Screen Retablo
INNOVATION WITHIN TRADITION AWARD
Artist: Gustavo Victor Goler, Taos Title: Heavenly Drive
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE AWARD FOR THE BEST DEPICTION OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE IN ANY TRADITIONAL ART FORM
Artist: Gabriel J. Vigil, Santa Fe Title: El dia doce de Diciembre Art Form: Collaboration
SPANISH MARKET POSTER AWARD
Artist: Joseph Ascensión López From: Española Title: Nuestra Señora de los Dolores Art Form: Painted Bulto
Youth award winners GRAND PRIZE: BEST OF SHOW
EMILIO AND SENAIDA ROMERO MEMORIAL AWARD
Artist Name: Rachel Rivera, Santa Fe Age: 15 Title: Santa Librada Art Form: Straw Appliqué
BIENVENIDOS AWARD
Artist: Mazen Gonzales y Litzenberg, Santa Fe
Age: 8 Title: The Blue Bird Art Form: Colcha Embroidery
COMPADRES ARTESANO AWARDS
Artist: Analisa Encinias, Albuquerque Age: 12 Artist: Liliana Encinias, Albuquerque Age: 9 From: Albuquerque Title: The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary Art Forms: Retablo/Ramilletes
CRAFTSMAN
Artist: Dominic Garcia, Peñasco Age: 16 Title: Para Los Niños Art Form: Furniture and Furnishings
CREATIVITY AWARD
Artist: Hailey A. Chacon, Fairview Age: 9 Title: La Fiesta Segrada Art Form: Woodcarving
AGE GROUP
Ages 7-10 Artist: Hailey A. Chacon, Fairview Age: 9 Title: La Fiesta Segrada Art Form: Woodcarving Ages 11-14 Artist: Joshua Rivera, Peralta Age: 13 Title: The Story of Juan Diego Art Form: Retablo Ages 15-17 Artist: Rachel Rivera, Santa Fe Age :15 Title: Santa Librada Art Form: Straw Appliqué
MAKES ME SMILE
Artist: Liliana Encinias, Albuquerque Age: 9 Title: Noah’s Helping Hand Art form: Retablo
PRECIOUS METALS
Artist: Liberty Mary Gonzales, Albuquerque Age: 17 Title: Precious Metal Bracelet
RETABLOS
First Place: Alissa Duran, Rio Rancho Age: 10 Title: Noah’s Ark Second Place
Analisa Encinias, Albuquerque Age: 12
Title: Llegan Los Tres Magos Honorable Mention Artist: Kianna Trujillo, Santa Fe Age: 11 Title: The Last Supper
REVIVAL ARTS
Artist: P’oe Tsire Micaela López, Española Age: 12 Title: Cross Shield
ST. FRANCIS CATHEDRAL BASILICA YOUTH AWARD
Ages 7-10 Artist: Gianna Dominique Garcia, Rio Rancho
Age: 9 Title: Altar de Nuevo Mexico Art Form: Retablo Ages 11-14 Artist: Kianna Trujillo, Santa Fe Age: 11 Title: The Last Supper Art Form: Retablo Ages 15-17 Artist: Liberty Mary Gonzales, Albuquerque Age: 17 Title: Women of Faith Triptych Art Form: Retablo
STRAW APPLIQUE
First Place Rachel Rivera, Santa Fe Age :15 Title: Santa Librada Second Place: Andrea L. Torres, Albuquerque Age: 17 Title: Holy Trinity Honorable Mention Artist: Nicole Garcia, Santa Fe Age: 15 Title: Peace of the Holy Spirit
TINWORK COLLABORATION
Artist: Ezequiel J. Korte, Zacarias Korte, Santa Fe Ages: 14, 7 Title: San Acacio
UTILITARIAN
Artist Name: Gabriel Duran, Fairview Age: 15 Title: El Escritorio Art Form: Furniture and Furnishings
WEAVING AND COLCHA EMBROIDERY
Artist: Maya M. Sandoval, Rio Rancho Age: 17 Title: Wonderful World Art Form: Weaving
WOODCARVING
Artist: Dominic Garcia, Peñasco Age: 16 Title: Para Los Niños Art Form: Furniture and Furnishings
WINTER MARKET POSTER AWARD
Artist: Larry Angel Garcia, Rio Rancho Age: 12 Title: Nacimiento Art Form: Retablo