LOVE NOTES

A new gallery walk serenades Canyon Road with music

A new gallery walk serenades Canyon Road with music

By Ashley M. Biggers

Pablo Pérez’s trumpet often resounds along Canyon Road on Friday nights as he plays for passersby of the Susan Eddings Pérez Gallery. He co-owns the gallery with his wife, Susan Eddings Pérez, who is also its founding artist. But Pérez’s brassy notes likely won’t stand alone during SweetART Serenade, which begins at noon on Saturday, Feb. 11, during the Art + Sol Festival. The new gallery walk spotlights the showrooms and studios of Canyon Road with a nod to Valentine’s Day.

The Pérezes’ love affair with Santa Fe was swift. The couple first visited in August 2021 to deliver art to one of Eddings Pérez’s interior design clients. Before the weekend was out, they were in touch with realtors about renting a gallery space. The puzzle pieces fell into place and by October they had opened. “This is where I was meant to be — at 717 Canyon Road,” Eddings Pérez says. “Every day I just pinch myself.”

In addition to Eddings Pérez’s large-scale abstract works and animal portraits, the gallery represents nine other artists. A trio from its stable — painter Alison Hixon, photographer Rob Lang, and sculptor Bob Brady — will be at SweetART Serenade. Weather permitting, Eddings Pérez and Hixon will demonstrate their work in the gallery’s courtyard.

“My work involves a lot of layers, and it’s a little different technique because it’s plaster on panel. I work with palette knives a lot,” Eddings Pérez says. “It’s instant gratification because people can see the process come together pretty quickly.”

Because of her background, Eddings Pérez tends to follow color trends in fashion and interior design. She expects to incorporate spring colors into her works on the easel. “By February we’re all ready for something fresh. Everyone’s tired of winter. I use colors that make people smile — pinks, peaches, and greens lift spirits.

A half dozen other galleries are part of the Art + Sol event, during which they welcome the public for artist conversations, libations, live music, and other festivities. Several New Mexico artists and artisans behind Cielo Handcrafted will be on hand at the gallery, including founding woodworker Miguel Licona of Wild Edge Woodworks and jeweler Gloria Olazabal.

Prescott Gallery pairs the kinetic pop art of the gallery’s founding artist, Fredrick Prescott, with the work of guest Golda Blaise. The jewelry artist showcases her collection of whimsical adornments. Canyon Road Contemporary debuts the work of two jewelers new to its stable of artists, Bev Gholson and Cameron Johnson. Both are local to Santa Fe. Dominique Boisjoli Fine Art, Ahmyo River Gallery, and Clearlight Jewelry also open their doors.