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Ramón José López, Abrahán Garza, Michael Bise, Lee Kogan

Ramón José López

A wooden table in the middle of a room.

A National Heritage Fellow, Santa Fe santero Ramón José López shares how his rich heritage influences his artwork.

“The main reason I continue in the traditional methods is because I see a different quality of the artwork.”

Abrahán Garza

A black and white photo of a group of people walking down a street.

Abrahán Garza’s photographs remind us that history is often hiding in plain sight.

“Everyone thinks we knock everything down and put it back up, but a lot of the rich, rich history is still standing.”

Michael Bise

A drawing of a group of people.

Michael Bise creates intricate, highly personal drawings that trace the narrative of his life, touching on themes of family, love, loss, and hope.

“The things that I try to deal with in my work are those very essential things.”

Lee Kogan

A painting of a whale with a flame on it.

American Folk Art Museum curator Lee Kogan takes us inside the exhibit of tinsel paintings, a women’s art form in the 1850’s to 1890’s which harks back to a Renaissance art form of reverse painting on glass.

“They were displayed in the dining room and parlor, in their time, and glowed in candlelight and later gaslight.”