A family remembers Taos’ wilder days
Memorial to celebrate Sanchez family contributions to politics, art, architecture
For those recently arrived to Taos, it’s a place of many charms, eclectic people and stunning landscapes.
For those whose roots go back here generations, the Taos of mid-last century was a raucous time, when long-time families mingled with, adjusted to and sometimes battled a growing assortment of artists, hippies, survivalists and scoundrels.
At the center of those lively times were people like Gene Sanchez and his parents, Mary L. and Joe A. Sanchez. Politically savvy and steeped in the art world, the Sanchez family was among those who shaped Taos for decades.
Cory Sanchez, one of Gene’s sons, remembers growing up in those lively days after his father became the first Taoseño to earn his architecture license and returned to town to design some signature public buildings. Gene Sanchez loved the social life in those days. “Taos was an adult town then. We were able to go to all these parties, got to know unique people, famous people like Dennis Hopper,” Cory said. “We were kids but exposed to adults a lot. Because of that exposure and diversity it allowed my brothers and me to go off and do different things with our lives.”
Gene Sanchez passed away May 11, joining his parents and his beloved wife, Julienne “Jules” Cuikowski Sanchez, who died in 2018. The family is hosting a celebration of their lives Saturday (June15) at the Don Carlos Lounge.
Gene was born and raised in Taos, attending the former Central Catholic School and graduating from Taos High in 1949. Early on, he aimed high. “He was known to show up at first grade in a suit,” said Cory.
His parents were involved in the Taos art world and his mom, Mary, started Studio A in 1962 with a group of art friends. The family would run the popular gallery for decades.
He served in the National Guard from 1953-54 and unofficially “did international undercover surveillance work in Juarez during the leftist insurrection,” according to his obituary.
In the early ’60s, Gene returned to Taos as a professional architect and started Taos Architects with Ben Benson. They designed public buildings, schools and private homes in Taos and around New Mexico, including Taos Middle School and one of the Taos County office complexes. He redesigned the former Taos News building on Camino la Placita, according to Cory.
When he designed buildings he took into account those who would be using them. He met with teachers before designing Taos Middle School and asked them what they wanted in a classroom. “He believed in simplicity of design, making buildings practical for people to use,” Cory said.
Gene served on the town council and the planning and zoning commission. He ran for mayor and was part of the burgeoning Taos art scene. “He did a lot for others, but I’m sure as a politician he had enemies,” Cory said.
He was also a vice president and founding member of the El Prado Chicano Chamber of Commerce back in the day.
Gene’s sons spent a lot of time with their grandparents Mary and Joe when they were in Taos. There were always people over at the house for one project, event or another. Gene and the boys were often at the “in” places to gather back in those days – La Cocina and the San Geronimo Motel.
“We were kids growing up in an adult society,” Gene’s youngest son, Zack Grey, aka Ben Sanchez, said. “There was my dad running around in the ‘70s with his gang.”
Mary and Joe provided an anchor for the family. Zack stayed with them when he was young. “What my grandmother taught me was integrity,” he said. “She taught me how important your word is, how people see you.”
Beyond his professional life, Gene tried to be there for his sons. “When I was going through a really rough patch in my life, my dad was really there for me,” Cory said. “He kept me grounded. He taught me to keep going, no matter how hard things got.”
“He was a very, very kind man,” Zack said of his dad. “He and my grandparents taught me a lot about character and I had tremendous respect for him.
Gene’s sons say their dad became more grounded when he found the love of his life, Julienne “Jules” Cuikowski, in Santa Fe. “They adored each other,” Zack said.
She was a singer and actress who had spent time on Broadway and loved to travel. Together, the couple photographed and curated the works of printmaker Gene Kloss. Their effort produced 500 images compiled over 14 years into a record of the artist’s life, “Gene Kloss: An American Printmaker, a Catalogue Raisonnó” (Volume I, 1924-1950 and Volume II, 1951-1983).
They moved from Santa Fe to Taos to help manage the family’s gallery.
Jules was executive director of Gallery A from 1996-2007 and
WHAT: Memorial celebration for Gene and Jules Sanchez, and Joe and Mary Sanchez WHEN:
4-7 p.m., Saturday (June 15) WHERE:
Don Carlos Lounge, Paseo del Cañon East, Taos
passed away in 2018 after a battle with cancer. “We were together for 28 years and married for 22 years. It was too short of a time,” Gene told The Taos News at the time of her death.
The eldest son, James, left his family in Kansas to move back to Taos and help care for his dad. “Caring for Dad is the biggest honor,” James told Taos News columnist Kathy Córdova. “I miss my family, but I’m glad to spend time with my dad, telling stories.”
They spent time listening to songs from those wild ‘60s and ‘70s days on a Wurlitzer jukebox and making day trips to Eagle Nest Lake. Gene visited with good friends such as Arsenio Córdova. He died surrounded by family.
The memorial will be at Don Carlos Lounge, in Taos, a favorite watering hole of the family dating back to great-grandfather Filemon Sanchez.