Category: Travel

On The Turquoise Trail to Santa Fe

The second leg of our trip is focused on activities and individuals in Santa Fe, NM, and it was to this destination that we set out early Sunday morning. Armed with coffee (and muffins) from Que Suave, we stopped by the Old San Miguel Mission in Socorro as a way to learn more about New Mexican culture…

…but also to practice our skill at architectural photography.

San Fancisco de Assisi, Golden, NM

Leaving Socorro for Santa Fe, we opted for the “Turquoise Trail” rather than simply taking the quickest route. This allowed us a more scenic drive, while also giving us the chance to stop in some smaller towns along the way. One of these towns was Golden, NM, where we stopped to see another Church: The St. Francis de Assis Catholic Church. It’s a beautiful church, surrounded by the graves of parishioners.

We also stopped in Madrid, NM, a wonderful little town that is as charming as it is unusual. We purchased more than two pounds of chocolate at Shugarman’s. Olivia and Cinthia were not expecting to buy chocolate, but after sampling some of the intriguing flavors (e.g., Hibiscus Flowers with Lemon and Ginger), we were hooked.

Indigo Gallery

by Olivia Discon

One of the first places we visited in Madrid was the Indigo Gallery, owned by artist Jill Shwaiko. It seemed to have been the perfect day to stop in, because the artist herself was in the gallery and ready to share some of her work with us! Her work commonly features a thought-provoking goat/sheep motif, along with inspiration from the petroglyphs of indigenous people.

Ms. Shwaiko strives to capture emotions such as perseverance, strength, and frailty in her art, and this is apparent when looking at her work. She also uses vibrant colors, and she even provided us with a mini-lecture on color theory! Her work brought forth many new perspectives, and her lessons resonated with me. Most of all, she encouraged us to experience life, not just survive it. On a special, fun-filled trip such as this, what better advice could one have? We all left Ms. Schwaiko’s gallery excited for what other excellent experiences we have in store.

Olivia, Cinthia, and artist Jill Shwaiko, in Madrid, NM

Finally, we stopped by the Mine Shaft Tavern for our daily fix of food that includes green chile, a semi-must while we are in New Mexico. We had green chile stew, green chile chicken pizza, and the green chile cheeseburger–the latter of which won “the green chile burger smackdown.” The food was excellent!

Santa Fe

When we arrived in Santa Fe, we immediately went to the Plaza. The Plaza is rich with history and many other attributes, so it was a nice way to begin our Santa Fe journey. Our first stop was the Palace of the Governors, where Native Americans are given exclusive rights to sell their products as long as they meet certain requirements (one of which is that the work must be hand-made). 

We bought a total of three pieces of art/jewelry from different vendors, and we very much enjoyed learning about the program and the lives of the artists.

Olivia Discon, Cinthia Villarreal, and artist Jeremiah Herrera

New Mexico Museum of Art

by Olivia Discon

To continue our pursuit of immersing ourselves in the New Mexican art scene, we stopped by the New Mexico Museum of Art on the Santa Fe Plaza. Here, we were able to discern several familiar names which we have grown accustomed to while on our tour of the southwest, especially John Nieto, Jesus Moroles, and Allan Houser. But we also had the opportunity to learn more about New Mexico through some artists we hadn’t yet familiarized ourselves with. In my case, I took to a painting by Joseph Henry Sharp, titled “The Stoic”. The size of the piece would be sufficient to capture one’s attention, but it was also captivating in its composition. 

“The Stoic,” by Joseph Henry Sharp

Interestingly enough, Sharp was one of the first  Americans to visit, and remain in, Taos, New Mexico, and he is regarded as the ”spiritual father” of the Taos Art Colony.”

An artist that was new to Cinthia and me was Fritz Scholder, and we saw his work in various locations and on various media. At the New Mexico Museum of Art on the Plaza, we were able to see a few paintings of his, the most interesting of which was a self portrait. 

Fritz Scholder, “Self Portrait”

A close second for the group was a totem of his in the sculpture garden!

Fritz Scholder, “Totem”

The New Mexico Museum of Art on the Plaza also has an auditorium that resembles a chapel, with beautiful murals lining the walls. My personal favorite mural was “The Apotheosis of St. Francis”; a scene that personifies the humanities. Art, religion, literature, philosophy, and society can be seen as gifts of St. Francis to humanity. It was particularly enjoyable to decipher which personification matched which discipline (I implore the reader to guess themselves).

In all, this museum was the perfect place to learn further about New Mexican art, along with reinforcing some of the art that we have come to know and (mostly) love.

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

by Cinthia Villarreal

In case it has gone unnoticed, art is an essential part in LEAP’s interdisciplinary philosophy.  Learning about different artistic styles, media, eras, and artists contributes to our broadened horizons and cultural awareness. With that, it was essential that we visited the museum of renowned artist Georgia O’Keeffe, who spent her later years in New Mexico. Not all of us are huge fans of work, but even the doubters found many works to enjoy and much to learn about.

To our surprise, the museum provides visitors with an audio tour O’Keeffe’s thought process and life happenings behind several of her works. The art works were divided by different stages throughout her life, which were seemingly different from one another.  This helped us watch how she grew alongside her art. One of Olivia and my favorite pieces ended up being a watercolor painting done by O’Keeffe at just 16 years old!

Of course, O’Keeffe is specifically known for her abstracts of flowers and landscapes using bright New Mexican colors;

….nonetheless, she proved her versatility and resourcefulness by painting the skyscrapers and night sky of New York with unusual colors for her palette. 

Another period in her life that really resonated with us was when she moved to New Mexico after the death of her husband, Alfred Stieglitz. The artist intensely expressed herself by using dark, ominous abstracts.

As she settled in the new state, she noticed the lack of flowers in the deserted environment around her and decided to change her portrait subjects by collecting skulls and bones. This interesting and unique idea set her apart from the rest of the artists in her time for, again, her creativity and originality.  

Olivia’s favorite art work from the museum was “Black Place I”  because of its looming gray landscape with some hinted red hues along the bottom of the painting. This is O’Keeffe’s depiction of the American Southwest, which she described as “a mile of elephants”.

Professor Yawn enjoyed the ‘Church Steeple,” and…

…I enjoyed the colorful abstract, “Pelvis.”

Interestingly, O’Keeffe only did three sculptures in her life, and we had the chance to see two of them. The first we saw at the New Mexico Museum of Art–a large sculpture of a spiral shape.

That shape, we learned from the O’Keeffe Museum was actually inspired by a ram’s horn…

…and it’s a figure she also painted…

The other sculpture we saw was a small, semi-abstract.

As our minds expand to appreciate and understand art from a more mindful perspective, we left the museum, but not before stopping at the gift stop for something to remind us of this great endeavor.

It was enriching day, filled with learning, new experiences, and the beauty of Santa Fe. As we left the Museum and re-crossed the Plaza, the sun set, leaving us in the “blue hour,” and it began to snow. With the remaining light of the sun’s glow, reinforced by the Christmas lights on the Plaza, we took a final photo of the day.

Exploring Art in Austin with Daniel Arredondo

LEAP is in Austin for the Texas Book Festival this weekend, but if you know us well, you know that we did plenty of exploring of the state’s capital as well. The conversations and experiences we shared deviated from some of our typical topics, but was a completely rewarding and thought-provoking way to spend our Saturday!

A Visit to Daniel Arredondo’s Art Studio

by Michelle Cardenas

Rewarding is certainly the appropriate work for the art of Daniel Arredondo, a renowned artist and friend of LEAP. Mr. Arredondo was kind enough to give us a tour of his studio and walk us through his creative process.

The journey to the studio was a little rocky, but we were soon blown away with the serene views surrounding his property. We were warmly greeted and welcomed in by Mr. Arredondo himself.

Walking into Mr. Arredondo’s studio was beyond incredible, and it felt as though we were transported to a new world. We were met by his extensive collection of cigar boxes decorated with his art and impeccable craftsmanship.

Daniel Arredondo is known for his paintings of landscapes that focus on trees and the stories they tell. He uses the trees as a metaphor to tell the story of life and emit some of the emotions in the human experience. He explained to us that just like our individual experience, each tree is unique. As an artist, his central focus is to go beyond the surface, which is pronounced in the inclusion of the tree’s roots in each painting.

To our amazement, Daniel Arredondo does not arrange the composition of his paintings before he starts. Everything that he wishes to express comes out in real time, even using the canvas as a palette to mix the colors. In response to our astonishment, he read us a quote from Mark Rothko: “A painting is not a picture of an experience, it is an experience”. While we were already incredibly grateful to have just witnessed his many pieces, Mr. Arredondo very generously gave us 6 prints of some of his favorite works, along with an original small-scale painting as a keepsake, and many of us also made a purchase!

Personally, this was the first piece in my art collection, unlike Jessica, who after today’s trip now has a total of 12 Arredondo pieces!

We were humbled by his generosity, hospitality, and willingness to share his perspective and his artistic process. We had a wonderful time and left with beautiful mementos that we will cherish as young art collectors!

A Weekend of Photography

Morgan Robertson

Photographers across the country rose early Saturday morning with extra batteries, tripods and solar filters to witness the Solar Eclipse–and I joined their ranks! But to see it in its full glory, I had to travel to Corpus Christi, which, even without an eclipse, is a great way to spend a weekend.

One of my favorite aspects of LEAP has been my introduction to photography, and this weekend I brought my love of photography to the next level. My familial connections to photography and astronomy gave me the perfect opportunity to join my aunt and uncle, Suzanne and Chris Bowers, and grandparents, Darlene and Robert Robertson, in Corpus Christi, in the direct path of the Solar Eclipse.

After Professor Yawn outfitted me with the correct equipment and some tips for shooting, I made my way southwest bright and early Friday morning. We hit the ground running with a day full of adventures! We began by conducting tests of my new homemade filters and with the guidance from Aunt “Zan,” we decided we were ready for hours of shooting the following day.

Eclipse

Aunt Zan and I rose early to enjoy sunrise on the beach and to stake our claim to prime eclipse-territory. Originally we were located on the beach and were met with 25 mph winds that would have made for an uncomfortable 3 hours of shooting. After scouting with her trusty sidekick, Willie, Aunt Zan came upon our new favorite feature in Corpus: a shipping container!

Willie Bowers, trusty sidekick
Our home for three hours

We set up shop away from the winds and sand, and eventually a few other photographers caught on to our stroke of genius.

After some slight adjustments, we settled in to watch this amazing experience. I did run into some complications due to the cloud coverage and the darkness of my filter… but we adopted and waited for clearer skies.

Luck was on our side and the clouds provided some drama to our photos. Rather than attempt to describe the wonders of the Eclipse, here are just a few photos of what I captured.

Other experiences

In a typical LEAP fashion, I would be remiss if I didn’t stop by the local art museum to get a taste for the creative tones of the city. The Art Museum of South Texas, located right on the beach, was a perfect stop for Aunt Zan and myself. My favorites from the collection were a Dale Chihuly and Jesús Moroles. Another great feature of the Museum was a strategic window placement that provided an amazing view of the USS Lexington.


We also made sure to take advantage of our proximity to the beach to practice some long exposure shots during sunset, and sunrise.

We all learned this weekend that Corpus Christi is known as the Birdiest City in America and we made sure to take advantage of this fact! Here are a few photos from Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge and Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center.

A pelican landing series…

And a pelican taking flight…

The last shots of the evening from Roberts Point Park.

I would like to express my sincerest gratitude toward my grandparents for being the perfect representation southern hospitality and towards my Aunt Zan and Uncle Chris for fostering my love for this creative art and their constant encouragement.

Wrapping up a “Wicked” Eight-Day Tour

Taste of Greece

By Jessica Cuevas

This was a special day of sorts. We were headed to see the play, “Wicked,” which was named after our President-Elect, Morgan Robertson. Moreover, it was her birthday–21st, no less. So, we let her choose the place to eat!

She chose “A Taste of Greece,” because Mediterranean is her favorite type of food, and because it is within walking distance of the Fox Theatre, where her biopic was being performed.

The restaurant offered many umami plates, but the ones that caught our eyes and proved to be delicious mouthfuls were the Greek Melt, the From Greece with Love Platter consisting of gyro meat, pork and chicken skewers, and Greek Meatballs served with green beans, pita bread, and tzatziki sauce.

We wished we could’ve stayed to enjoy our meals a little longer, but with every passing minute, a wicked play awaited us.

Wicked

By Morgan Robertson

“It’s time to Trust (our) instincts, close (our) eyes and LEAP!”

–From “Defying Gravity,” in “Wicked.”

Our trip has been full of many athletic, educational, historical, political, and after tonight, entertaining events! The last night of our trip, we checked the entertainment box, and made our way to the historic Fox Theatre to watch their rendition of “Wicked,” the musical.

We were amazed by the grandeur of the Theatre…

…and hastily made our way to our seats.

Despite what the professional advisement of LEAP thinks, not all LEAP Ambassadors are wicked. However, we all have varying degrees of interest in the “Wizard of Oz.” But, of the LEAP Ambassadors, I am perhaps the most unfamiliar with musicals. Due to my familial ties to Kansas, I was raised near the setting of the movie. So, I made an exception and was excited to learn more about the Wicked Witch of the West. I even wore green for the evening!

“Wicked” begins with a frame narrative starting with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North as she brings the good news to the Munchkins that the Wicked Witch is dead. The lively songs harken memories of the original story, and a shrill voice says, “I’m melting, I’m melting!” The delighted munchkins rejoice in the good deeds done by their valiant protector, a midwestern farm girl and her little dog.

Everyone knows the Wicked Witch as Dorothy’s antagonist, but on Thursday night, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) was good. Elphaba became a fiercely loyal sister, an unlikely best friend, defender of the meek and unspoken for, and a true heroine with a happy ending. From start to finish, “Wicked” had the entirety of the Theatre bellowing in laughter as all these aspects of Elphaba were explored.

I would be remiss if I did not bring attention to the musical talent and songs. As a group, “Defying Gravity” was our favorite, where Elphaba learns of her true capabilities and sets off to save the animals of Oz. Another favorite was “For Good” as it very sweetly and impactfully shows the true nature of Elphaba’s friendship with Glinda.  

Without divulging into every element of irony or song, “Wicked” became a newfound favorite musical of mine. It was an incredible way to close our night, ending our trip on a very pleasing ‘note’!

And with that, LEAP’s 8-day exploration of the Deep South came to an end! We are incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Georgia and South Carolina and learn about their individually rich and fascinating history.

High on Art in Atlanta, GA!

By Olivia Discon

Our fun-filled day continued with our theme of public engagement, both historic and contemporary, with our visit to the High Art Museum. We were immediately off to a great start, as on our walk to the building, we walked by a wonderful piece from Lichtenstein’s “House” series.

The aluminum sculpture is an optical illusion, or trompe-l’œil, that shifts perspective at various angles, a bizarre sight to pass at a steady walking pace. Also outside sat Rodin’s “The Shade”, which in hindsight was most definitely one of my favorite sights at the museum.

The museum offered numerous works that provided a distinctive and captivating experience for the entire group. One collection, in particular, delved into the African diaspora and its connection with the rising popularity of folk art during the same historical period. Bruce Onobrakpeya, a Nigerian painter and printmaker, had several pieces with Christian influences. His “Station of the Cross” series was fascinating to view, with the differences in technique from its Western counterparts.

Though we undoubtedly saw many unfamiliar and enthralling pieces, there were some notable names we identified from their undeniable technique and style; such as Claude Monet, Georgia O’Keefe, Mary Cassatt, and John Singer Sargent. We were delighted to further build on our prior associations with these artists through the exhibits as we pressed forward.

One of the best collections was the museum’s mid-century modern display. There were famous artists who made great contributions to the era, such as Ellsworth Kelly, spread across the museum.

However, the most impressive collection of a mid-century modern artist was Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect widely known for his innovative designs and meticulous detail, one of his most famous works being a home known as “Fallingwater”. The High Museum had several pieces of furniture, such as different armchairs and my personal favorite; a desk with shelving units that appeared to be floating at certain angles.

There were also decorative accents from Wright that were specific to the homes he would design, such as a giant, blue-mirrored clock, and custom stained glass.

It was also interesting to see Morgan rush to works of art that she previously claimed to not understand or actively dislike. Previously on Morgan’s list of banned artwork were almost anything modern, certainly anything abstract, and of particular dislike was Rothko.

But on this day she bounced up to the Rothko with a smile, as though she were greeting an old friend.

She showed a similar ebullience upon seeing an Ellsworth Kelly, whom, before today, she said, she “didn’t get.”

When we asked for clarification, we got a look that said, “Drop it.” So, we did.

______________________________________________

In the contemporary section, we came across an untitled piece from Anish Kapoor, the artist recognized for Chicago’s reflective sculpture “Cloudgate” (otherwise known as “The Bean”). This particular work, shaped as a concave dish, is a multisensory experience. As you step closer, you can simultaneously view fractured, mirrored images of yourself, while also having your voice and hearing distorted from a few feet behind you. We played around with this scientific masterpiece for a good while, alternating places and marveling at our distorted voices, which were somehow louder than usual.

The High Museum of Art possesses an eclectic collection, and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring it in their beautiful and spacious facility. The thoughtful curation of each space enhanced our viewing experience, making it a truly enriching visit.