Jim Arndt for Parasol Productions
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Hand drawn indigo wax resist batik jacket
Dancing Ladies
exquisite wearable textiles 225 CANYON ROAD #3 SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO 505.988.1100 DANCINGLADIESDSF@QWEST.NET
Mexico landscape painter Peter Hagen, opening July 24; still lifes from Chuck Sabatino’s Weather Vane series, Aug. 7; Western landscapes by Paul Van Ginkel, Aug. 21 (Indian Market weekend); sculptor Tim Cherry and painter Cheri Christensen, Sept. 25; and new works by Donna HowellSickles opening Nov. 26. A contemporary perspective is on view at McLarry Modern, which represents artists of local, national, and international acclaim, among them Cherokee painter Poteet Victory. For those with an eye for exceptionally fine handcrafted jewelry, the Melfi Collection is a must-stop. Founded in 1989, the gallery specializes in 22-karat gold and natural colored diamond necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets by Melfi, a jewelry designer for 35 years. Karen Melfi also showcases magnificent adornments in a wide variety of styles, materials, and price points by some 30 artists, the majority of whom live and create in New Mexico. In conjunction with Santa Fe’s Summer of Color, on July 24 the gallery hosts Gold Rush, a special trunk show featuring the work of nationally known Santa Fe jewelry artist Denise Betesh. For the rest of the female form, Dancing Ladies de Santa Fe presents clothing made from handspun, handwoven, embroidered textiles from Southeast Asia. Owner Cass Schuck, who designs all the garments, was 74
TREND Summer 2015
inspired by years of collecting fabrics during visits to the hill tribes of the region. Her stylish creations honor the beauty, intricate artistry, and cultural expression the tribal women weave into their textiles, which incorporate hand-drawn, wax-resist batik cloth and hand-dyed cotton, wool, and silk threads. Schuck also designs elegant, sumptuous jackets and tunics fashioned from antique, museumquality textiles. Visitors to Dancing Ladies encounter a dramatic array of colors from a wide selection of hemp jackets, shirts, and smocks—which soften like linen but lose the wrinkles—as well as jewelry, accessories, fanciful mobiles, and other art-to-wear clothing. “People linger in this remarkable, festive shop, so rich with history and beauty,” says manager Karen Wright. “There’s no other place like this.” That sums up the experience of 225 Canyon Road itself, rounded out by Art of Russia Gallery; traditional representational painting and sculpture at Meyer Galleries; contemporary representational art at Meyer East; Scarlett’s collection of antiques, vintage jewelry, and other collectibles; and folk art, furniture, and gifts at Leslie Flynt. Right across the street are two cafés. And of course, the rest of Canyon Road rolls out beyond the entrance to 225, with dozens of galleries, restaurants, and shops. Aren’t you glad those early developers went broke? R
MARTI MILLS PHOTOGRAPHY
Karen Melfi Collection interior: (left to right) Patrice Ray, Karen Melfi, and Debrianna Mansini