‘Todos es Arte’ at Taos Municipal Schools
In such a vibrant art community as Taos, it is no surprise that Taos Municipal Schools has an equally spirited arts program, one that surpasses the standard art and music curricula found in the others of New Mexico’s school districts. What gives TMS its edge? The Visiting Artists program, of course.
TMS Visiting Artist Program Coordinator Tanya Vigil said, “We are the only district in the state that incorporates visiting artists into the Elementary Arts Program,” a distinction that was recognized in 2022 when the district received the prestigious Max Coll and Catherine Joyce-Coll Award for Excellence in Arts Education and presented by the New Mexico Art Education Association.
“What makes the award particularly exceptional is the fact it is typically granted to a solo professional art educator,” Vigil explained, “but NMAEA chose to recognize the work of the whole district.” Vigil has coordinated Visiting Artists
since 2006 and has recruited over 60 artists to work with the elementary students at Enos Garcia, Ranchos de Taos and Arroyo del Norte schools. It is a sweeping undertaking, affording kids the opportunity to experience handson participation in fine arts activities including visual arts, music, theater and dance.
“It’s an investment in the future,” Vigil noted in an interview with Teresa Dovelpage, acclaimed author and one of the participating artists in the program. “This is based on the understanding that art programs encourage a cognitive and effective development by focusing on a variety of learning styles and engaging students who might otherwise fail. It helps train students in complex thinking and learning.”
Dovelpage is continuing her collaboration with choreographer/ lighting technician Casandra Romero on the bilingual theater piece entitled “La Tormenta de Taos,” which was devised in 2020 as a means for elementary students to express their feelings about the social impacts of the pandemic and which also resulted in a book of the same name.
But other media — such as jewelry, tin smiting, felting, fused glass, raku pottery, handmade mandala books, polymer clay and printmaking — have been enthusiastically embraced by the students. Each year, the collective works are displayed in a springtime exhibit titled “Anything is Possible.”
“The kids are always excited about seeing their works presented in a gallery setting, and both the artists who work with them and those who visit the exhibit are amazed at what is created,” Vigil said.
This year, the Visiting Artists program plans to broaden its reach in other ways. First, it is moving to Taos Middle School, where sixthgrade students will be working with master printmaker Michael Vigil, learning how to build and design printmaking plates and how to apply inks. Second, the Comanche Dancers will return, and Tiwa language instructors will begin student lessons.
Superintendent Valerie Trujillo joined Vigil in commending the art teachers who helped TMS receive the Coll Award recognition with both their proficiency in the elements of art that are aligned with national standards, and for their collaboration with visiting artists Jodie Irons (Enos Garcia), Alejandra Gomez (Arroyos del Norte), Leah Trujillo (Ranchos) and Taos Middle School’s Christine Autumn.
The program is funded in part by the New Mexico Public Education Department and by a generous private local foundation from Taos.
In addition to Dovelpage and Romero, this year’s visiting artists include Regina Becker, Rebecca Caron, Jill Caven, Lydia Hawley, Richard Hawley, Renate Hume, Mark Jackson, Ramsey Scott, Edna Sturtcman, Christopher Taylor, Debi Taylor, Amber Vasquez, Michael Vigil, Roxanne Louise Sanchez and Aya Trevino.
“Todos es arte,” Vigil smiled. And from the stunning accomplishments of our school children, one could only agree.
Visiting Artist Program
310 Camino De La Placita Taos, NM 87571
(575) 758-5200 taosschools.org