Couse-Sharp Historic Site | June 5-6, 2026 | Taos, NM

The Light of Taos

Northern New Mexico's rich history is the star of the Couse-Sharp Historic Site's biennial Western art exhibition.

By Michael Clawson

One of the great misconceptions about Northern New Mexico is that it’s a place bound to two groups of people: Native Americans and Anglo settlers who turned up in the 19th century.

But the depth of the history and cultural diversity in Northern New Mexico goes much deeper. So deep that it can shock first-time visitors, says Davison Packard Koenig, executive director and curator at the Couse-Sharp Historic Site. He refers to “overlay after overlay” that has created a rich tapestry of culture and history, starting with the pueblo communities and the Diné (Navajo). Numerous tribes from the Great Plains and other regions also visited the area, which was home to one of the early trading sites at the Taos Pueblo. In the mix were also Spanish and Mexican settlers. And then later were Anglo traders, visitors and artists of European descent. “Over a 250-year period, there was a great tradition in Northern New Mexico that was not limited to just one or two groups of people, but many people,” he says. “There was no place like it in the country.”

John Coleman, Evening Prayer, oil on board, 14 x 11 in.

That spirit of cultural diversity and inclusion is prevalent in the Couse-Sharp Historic Site’s biennial exhibition La Luz de Taos, which returns to Taos on June 5 and 6. The show will feature 70 artists who represent a large slice of histories, genres, mediums and styles in Northern New Mexico.

The roster includes painters such as Sean Michael Chavez, Eric Bowman, Amery Bohling, G. Russell Case, Josh Elliott, Josh Gibson, Walt Gonske, Jerry Jordan, Brett Allen Johnson, Howard Post, Ron Rencher, Dean Mitchell, Andrew Roda, Roseta Santiago, Jim Vogel and many others. But that’s just scratching the surface. The show will also include weaver Carla Bogdanoff, photographer Gabriela Campos, folk art carver Marie Romero Cash, acrylic sculptor Maeve Eichelberger, woodworker Andrew Garcia, santeros Gustavo Victor Goler and Arthur López, and sculptor Ed Smida.

J. Dylan Cavin (Choctaw), This Was Always OUR Land, ink and colored pencil on ledger, 17¼ x 22¼ in.

Additionally, Native American artists will represent a large percentage of the exhibiting artists. Many of them are well-known in Western art circles: Marla Allison, Nocona Burgess, Tony Abeyta, J. Dylan Cavin, Susan Folwell, Ira Lujan, John Pepion, Angie Yazzie and many others.

Few shows throw as wide a net over art in Northern New Mexico, which is one of the key reasons to have a show like this, says Koenig. “To be able to tell a multicultural story that goes this deep within the culture of the Southwest, and specific to Northern New Mexico, it shows that artistic traditions are alive and well here in Taos,” he adds.

David Kassan, Red Willow Moon Taos, oil on panel, 31 x 40 in.

Nathanael Volckening, an artist with deep ties to Taos, is excited to participate in this year’s exhibition. “Growing up in Taos, I was deeply influenced by the surrounding landscapes, cultures and luminaries of the Taos Art Colony,” he says. “There is something truly enchanting about the light—la luz—of Northern New Mexico. Just as that light has inspired the work of generations of artists before me, it continues to ignite my own passion for painting. Participating in this exhibition is a homecoming to the artistic roots that continue to shape my own journey. I am honored to be part of the continuum that is Taos’ artistic legacy and very grateful to the CSHS for its mission and invaluable stewardship.”

G. Russell Case, Taos Light, oil, 18 x 36 in.

While La Luz de Taos is open from April 17 to June 4, Koenig suggests visitors time their trip around June 5 and 6, when the Couse-Sharp Historic Site will host a series of events that will culminate with the sale and gala. Events begin on June 5 with an evening reception and art preview on the Couse-Sharp campus and at the adjacent Lunder Research Center. On June 6, there will be a panel discussion at the nearby Hotel Willa. The title of the panel is “What is ‘Art of the West’ in 2026? Shared History and Separate Mythology,” and it will include guests Michael Grauer, Ryan Suazo, Susan Folwell, Jim Vogel, Arthur López, Carla Bogdanoff and Ezra Tucker. (Editor’s note: I will be moderating this distinguished panel of guests.)

Josh Elliott, Wild Plum Blossoms, oil, 13 x 60 in.

Following the panel, starting at 5 p.m., festivities move to El Monte Sagrado Resort, where the festive gala and sale will take place with live music, food and dancing. The majority of the sale will take place by fixed-price, by-draw ballot, but there will also be four works sold by maximum-bid silent sales. The four works are by Josh Elliott, David Kassan, Nathanael Volckening and Eric Bowman, and Koenig notes that interest for these pieces is already high. Not only will attendees be able to make bids, but organizers have also made it easy for absentee bidders to participate in the sale if they are unable to attend the gala weekend. Absentee ballots are $50 on the event’s website.

Kevin Chupik, High/Low Desert, acrylic on cradled birch, 24 x 40 in.

Jim Vogel, ¿Que Cochinada? (What Mess?), oil on panel, antique brass frame, 28½ x 46 in.

More than 25 of the artists have signed up to attend the event, with more likely committing before June. For Koenig, to have the artists in the room and interacting with collectors is key, especially since many of them have been directly inspired by the Couse-Sharp Historic Site and the Taos Society of Artists.

“The legacy of the Taos Society of Artists rests with contemporary artists. They are drawing inspiration from those artists because the TSA members are the foundational painters of what we consider ‘art of the West,’” Koenig says. “Because when you look at it, it’s the TSA, Maynard Dixon, [Frederic] Remington and [Charles M.] Russell who have come to represent what Western art is. That’s a gross generalization and oversimplification, but for us, our focus is Taos, and this uniquely American form of art that was developed here.”

Sean Michael Chavez, Stand of One, oil on canvas, 20 x 20 in.; Ron Rencher, The Ancestors, oil on linen, 20 x 20 in.

Len Chmiel, On a Walk With Maizie, oil, 20 x 26 in.; Eric Bowman, Sound Expression, oil, 30 x 30 in.

As in past years, the proceeds of the ticket and art sales will go back to the Couse-Sharp Historic Site and the Lunder Research Center. Koenig says that La Luz de Taos will directly help fund an artist-in-residence program that will actively seek to build the community around the historic site. The site is in the middle of acquiring property across the street from the campus that will eventually house student researchers, artists, writers and others who are committed to exploring the history and culture within Taos. “Next summer we hope to have a fully operational program. It’s very exciting,” Koenig says. “It’s our responsibility to tell these stories, but we need support from our friends to accomplish that goal.” —