CRAIG BERGSGAARD

Multi-talented artist

Craig Bergsgaard is hands-on in every artistic endeavor. His work in residential construction led to woodworking and crafting fin art furniture. He found those same steady hands ideal for a new three-dimensional creative pursuit— sculpture. He is often happiest while working with a chunk of clay in his hands and contemplating his next composition.

But Bergsgaard wasn’t satisfie with sculpting. He began using his artistic eye to photograph his sculptures, which became a new medium for him. He sets up Old West saloon scenes, complete with gamblers and dancehall girls, creating a series of Western photo prints. If you look, you will also notice Bergsgaard in the tableaux.

Bergsgaard branched out further and expanded his hands-on skills into fashion. He creates original handbags—the clutch, top handle, shoulder bag, crossbody, tote, saddlebag, and carry-all. He designs the styles to move seamlessly from everyday use to the corporate offi and out on the town. Looking at Bergsgaard’s collection, it is easy to see why the Old West is the New West. Styles vary from distinctly Western

Hand-crafted Bergsgaard Bags are made of calfskin, lambskin, pebble leather, farm-raised New Zealand deerskin, and Mexican blankets. Thy come in solid colors or two or more tones. Most feature handdrawn, hand-cut, custom tooling designs and tight lacing techniques. Some come with fringe. Bags might feature leather handles or straps or even chain link. All hardware and zippers are of the highest quality. Bergsgaard applies hand-sculpted, sterling silver cast Native American Indian conchos to add something extra special.

Th fashion line now extends beyond bags into garments. Bergsgaard has a feel for fabrics and enjoys detailing garments. While some work is his own, he also enjoys collaborating with other artists. For example, he might take a well-loved, classic jeans jacket to a new level with an original painting on canvas by Wei Tai sewn on the back.

Bergsgaard has another fashion collaboration with Meredith Lockhart Collections, featuring upscale garments that complement his custom handbags. Bergsgaard photographs his favorite models wearing Meredith Lockhart Collections embroidered jackets and carrying Bergsgaard Bags. Th Bergsgaard

Bags are always fully lined, signed, or marked inside with the CB Studios signature swoop. Thy are comfortable to carry, affordable, functional, durable, and stylish, original works of art. Swoop into the Craig Bergsgaard Studios booth at most Vermillion Events to fin your unique work of art. Th 2022/2023 season runs from August through March.

Art seems to surround you when you visit Santa Fe. From the colorful doors and ristras of bright red chiles hanging from walls to the sculptures, jewelry and paintings seemingly tucked into even the tiniest spaces, it’s a city that breathes art. It is indeed a City Different. Santa Fe, situated 7,200 feet above sea level in New Mexico’s high desert, is worldrenowned for its exquisite Native American handcrafted goods, traditional and contemporary art, and sculpture.

Santa Fe History

Santa Fe (which translates to “holy faith”) was founded in 1610 and holds a rich history for you to discover. It is the country’s oldest capital city and has been a gathering place—and a destination for armed conquest— stretching back centuries. Tha flw of people brought a unique blend of cultures to Santa Fe. Today, Anglo, Spanish, and Indigenous cultures live together in the shadows of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Th Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi dominates the downtown Plaza. Built by the firs Bishop to Santa Fe, Father John Baptiste Lamy, between 1869 and 1887, it sits on the site of the original adobe church constructed in 1610.

Art Museums

Santa Fe has long attracted art lovers, both those who create art and those who appreciate it. The city has four state museums: The New Mexico Museum of Art, the New Mexico History Museum, the Museum of International Folk Art, and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. The ew Mexico Museum of Art promotes its mission that “art is for everyone” and embraces Native American, Hispanic and European artists. The New Mexico History Museum welcomes visitors into the Palace of the Governors. The Museum of International Folk Art provides a place for folk artists worldwide to share their cultures. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. explores the Pueblo, Navajo (Diné) and Apache cultures of the area. Though not pat of the state museum system, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum explores the artist’s artwork and life.

Galleries on Canyon Road and Beyond

Stretching just a half mile from the downtown Historic District of Santa Fe, Canyon Road features more than 80 art galleries. You’ll also find equisite boutiques and can experience the best of the region’s culinar y offerings. Thee is no one type of artwork you will discover as you meander along the Canyon Road Arts District. Experience contemporary, abstract, digital, Native American, traditional, western, photorealistic, and more.

In addition to the galleries and boutiques along Canyon Road, the Plaza area is filed with shops that draw international crowds. Thee is almost no limit to the unique items you might find in anta Fe. Discover boutiques tucked into quiet corners as you explore the blocks surrounding the Plaza. Thee are tiny plazas dating back to the Santa Fe Trail along East Palace Avenue. Each one contains galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Of particular interest are Trujillo and Prince plazas. Originally part of the home of a French-Canadian fur trapper around 1830, it also served for a while as the intake officeor the top-secret Los Alamos Scientific ab in 1943. Santa Fe boasts 250 galleries on Canyon Road, downtown, and in the Railyard District. Thee is little wonder why Travel + Leisure named the city the world’s best for art galleries and museums.