"The very valley itself is art. In fact, all of nature is art, the finest of all possible art." - An Unnamed Red River TouristThe high country of Northern New Mexico has inspired artists for generations. Long before the arrival of European influence, the native people left their pictures and stories on the rocky canyon walls. Colonial Spanish art had a home in New Mexico and, eventually, US and European painters established the Taos art scene, world renowned and spectacular.
Red River has experienced an expansion of art consciousness in the past twenty years. This growing awareness has been boosted by the prominence of the Red River Gallery of Fine Arts, which houses the works of internationally known painter Kenneth Wyatt, his wife Veda, and their daughter Jill Wyatt Marshall. Also, the thirty-year success of the Bobcat, with a tradition in fine handcrafted Southwestern and Indian art, jewelry and pottery, has helped provide a permanent foundation for art in the community.
As the number of artists and craftspeople who call Red River "home" expands, so also does the number of galleries and shops that carry local and regional work. Red River artist Rick Fowler is well known for his attention to fine detail and the ability to appreciate unique aspects of the area, as shown in his painting above.
Mountain Treasures Gallery specializes in oils, acrylics and watercolor paintings, as well as pottery, glass, jewelry and photographs. Moon River carries work by local artists as well as pottery and other unique hand-crafted items. The Jewelry Lady has hand-crafted work by some of America's finest artist in jewelry. The Carpenter's Wife features many hand-made religious items.
The Knot Hole offers a variety of mountain and woodsy items, many hand-crafted and Bear Crossing offers Folk Art with chainsaw carved bears and other wooden craft items.
