Ancient Way comes alive
State’s new multi-arts trail draws tourists, locals

ABOVE: Kay Redman and her father, Gene Redman look at the works of Jane Chilton at the Old School Gallery near El Morro National Monument during a stop on the Ancient Way Arts Festival. Chilton's diplayed work was done in pastels and depicted areas of the Zuni mountains and west central New Mexico. The festival was held to celebrate artistic traditions in the area of the Zuni Mountains, including Gallup, Zuni, Ramah, and Grants, with sites in all locations. Chilton's pieces ranged from $225-$700 for individual works. BELOW: Red Wulf performs Kripalu Yoga along the side of N.M. State Highway 53 near the Old School Gallery and El Morro National Monument. Wulf was taking part in the Ancient Way Arts Festival by providing psychic readings and said that the performing the yoga before giving readings helps him keep focused and "feel much more availible." [photos by Daniel Zollinger / Independent]

By Karen Francis
Staff writer

The Ancient Way Arts Trail — from Gallup through Zuni and Ramah and ending in Grants — held its first spring festival over the weekend with events along the trail. The trail — New Mexico ’s first “multi-arts trail” — was only recently designated and it is already attracting people who visited the events on Saturday and Sunday.

Paula Tripodi, executive director of the El Morro Arts Council, said that the festival helped to bring in tourists to the Ramah area.

“We had quite a lot of business Saturday and visitors from outside our local area,” Tripodi said.

At the Old School Art Gallery, an open house and artist demonstration were held on Saturday. On Sunday, the gallery sponsored a community art project. Throughout the weekend, visitors got the chance to meet with artists and to experience the local scenery.

“Obviously a big part of it is getting visitors to our area that don’t normally come out this way,” Tripodi said.

In Gallup, the first ever Crossroads Art Festival was held at the Gallup Cultural Center with several art vendors, food concessions and live music on Saturday and Sunday.

Charlinda Cayatineto was driving to the movie theater when she saw the festival and stopped.

“I think it’s great because the whole idea of the whole trail,” she said. “It’s all new and it’s bringing everybody together.”

Cayatineto was with her two daughters Kristen and Jordan. “We’re looking to buy something. I don’t know what,” she said.

The Native Hands Co-op had a rug that she was interested in, which was woven by a Navajo senior citizens’ group. Other items included bracelets, bolo ties, rings, fetishes and woven handbags — some created by award-winning artists.
The co-op educates artists with business and marketing skills to sell their products at prices that reflect the true value of the work. The co-op provides a direct link to more than 470 Native American artists in this area.

“We’re able to bring the real authentic jewelry and make it available to the public,” Delene Touchine, director of artist services for Native Hands, said.

“It really shows a new color of Gallup ,” she said. “People want to work together. People want to support each other and this festival shows it.”

Marie Jackson from Ganado was selling Navajo jewelry made by her and her husband Tommy.

While sales in general are down because of the economy, Jackson said that business for the couple is going well because of the orders that come in from all over the country from people they meet at various art festivals.

The Jacksons have had to travel across the country networking to promote their jewelry, so events like the Arts Trail Festival benefit them, she said.

“We enjoy it,” Jackson said about the festival. She added, “It’s a blessing to be blessed with talent to make jewelry.”

Jeremy Boucher, director of the cultural center, said the Crossroads Art Festival was the first in conjunction with the Ancient Way Arts Trail. A fall festival is already scheduled for the first weekend in October.

“The idea is to link up all these different art sites along the trail and get those publicized,” he said. “It’s hard for a lot of the smaller spots along the 53 loop to get exposure, and so by linking us all together, individual artists even, can get some more exposure.”

He said that the art work available along the trail is unique in America and in the world.

Activities were available along the Ancient Way Byway for the festival all weekend, including events at the El Morro RV Park and Café, Inscription Rock Trading & Coffee Company, the Pioneer Museum in Ramah, Zuni Visitors and Arts Center, the Ramah Navajo Weaver’s Association, Ramah Farmers’ Market, the Tierra Madre Arts Gallery and the “Arts in the Park” at the Coyote Golf Course in Grants.