Additions to the Collection: Spanish Market 2025!

It was a wonderful weekend spent reconnecting with old friends and discovering their latest creations. This year, our focus was on adding works by artists new to our collection, as well as fresh pieces from those we already admire. We’re delighted to share that we accomplished just that—take a look at the treasures we brought home.

Richard Gabriel

If you saw the poster art for this year’s market, then you are familiar with the award winning work of Richard Gabriel. Richard’s work perfectly combines skill and creativity and he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. Each year you can expect to find some surprises among his classic pieces and this year was no different. Catching many visitors’ eyes this year were his nicho pieces. We are absolutely thrilled to add this beautiful tinwork to our collection.

Richard is not only an impressive artist, but has spent decades as a mentor and teacher passing on his knowledge of one of New Mexico’s unique heritage arts.

Interested in learning tin? Sign up for Richard’s class at the Santa Fe Community College

Marie Sena

Marie Sena is a rare example of an artist who started in Youth Market and has continued on to be a fixture in market as an adult. Her unique style is somehow both classical and fresh. Marie has been featured in exhibits at the museum before, but until last year, we have not had her in our collection. In 2024, we were gifted a piece by Marie done in 1999 but a more recent piece by her has been high on our wish list.

Marie is a talented tattoo artist as well as a Santera , to learn more, check out her instagram.

Vince Campos

Another artist who has been was missing from our collection, Vince has been in a number of exhibits at the museum but this is the first piece of his to be added to the collection. This beautiful little St. Barbara shows off Vince’s work with traditional imagery, but most of us know Vince for his clever contemporary interpretations of the saints.

Learn more about Vince here.

Luis, Daniel, Daniel jr., and Santo Barela

This piece felt like a special find. The Barela family has long been known for their unique unpainted wood carving dating back generations. This piece was a collaboration done by Luis, his son Daniel, and Daniel’s two sons, Daniel and Santo. This piece is a wonderful visual story of how the heritage arts are passed down through the generations.

Learn more about the family here.

Cleo Romero

This beautiful little mirror shows off Cleo’s skill as a tinsmith as well as her masterful use of reverse glass painting. Cleo’s work is award winning, but she is also a teacher for both children and adults, and has some impressive conservations projects under her belt.

Learn more about Cleo here.