Jenny's View

January 2022

Dear Friends,

Art and history go hand in hand, and that’s why, when we are able to reunite and raise a toast to La Fonda’s 100 Year Anniversary during our celebratory Party of the Century, we will also be honoring our friends at The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA). This year, SWAIA is also celebrating 100 years of the arts, so in their honor, we’re making sure all profits from our centennial party benefit their important work of safeguarding, promoting and sharing Native American Art with the world.  

The outpouring of support and interest in our celebration has touched us deeply, and we cannot wait to celebrate our 100 Years of Hospitality with you. However, due to the current circumstances related to the contagious Omicron variant of Covid-19 we feel it is in everyone’s best interest to heed the advice of the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and our local medical experts, and postpone our gathering until after the peak of the new variant subsides.  Although we have no crystal ball, we are hopeful that by Spring 2022 conditions will have improved significantly and we can hold a safe and healthy celebration then.  So, please save the date for an even better celebration on March 26, 2022!  

Though I'm disappointed, I know that all good things are worth waiting for, and gathering safely with the friends and family of La Fonda is well worth it! And know that of course, we will honor all room rates and ticket sales already confirmed and reimburse ticket sales for anyone that cannot attend the postponed event. Please don't hesitate to call us for re-booking assistance or with any questions about your tickets. In the meantime, here's some reading material about our unique history featured in the Santa Fe New Mexican. 

This month we’re highlighting some of the latest art additions to our newly renovated Terrace Inn at La Fonda – inspiring works created by New Mexico based artists and friends of the hotel– all of whom have a deep appreciation of New Mexico’s rich past and evolving cultures.  Ricardo Cate, Mateo Romero and Nocona Burgess are just a few of the creators and innovators whose works we’ve recently acquired. We’re thrilled to showcase their talent on our exclusive, concierge level!

Quick-witted and thought-provoking, cartoonist Ricardo Cate creates brightly colored commentaries that make you think deeply about his subjects.  I first came across Ricardo's work when he began publishing his cartoon series, Without Reservations in the Santa Fe New Mexican in 2006.  I found it interesting and curious that his cartoon has the same title as that of my predecessor Sam Ballen's autobiography.  Ever since I’ve been captivated by his wry humor and honest commentaries.  His cartoons trigger important conversations about Native issues in a way that encourages critical engagement. It’s important work – especially today. That’s why I particularly love this piece—we need to trigger more compassion, less bullets. Ricardo is generous, funny and ranks among the kindest of humans – he follows the ways of his Kewa Pueblo heritage and lives at Santa Domingo Pueblo. Learn more about Ricardo in the interview by Forbes magazine. 

 

Mateo Romero (Cochiti Pueblo) is a painter known for his deeply abstract expressions of historic and contemporary scenes rooted in tradition and influenced by light.  His paintings often evoke movement and invite you to experience a sense of selflessness.  And, if you’ve had the great fortune of meeting him, they take on even deeper meaning – charmed by his cool, thoughtful, compassionate and truly independent personality. His work adds vibrant color and depth to the story of La Fonda, and pairs perfectly in our hip new rooms.  

Make sure to check out the triptych “Rio Grande Pueblo Girl” on display at the entrance to the Lumpkins Ballroom.  Mateo, along with the amazing artists, Ryan Singer and Marla Allison, created this collaborative piece that consists of three paintings, each made up of 32 square panels which the artists move around from time to time and from painting to painting.  It’s one of my favorites!

If you've stayed with us, you've probably already encountered the work of the talented, Nocona Burgess.  His bold acrylic portraits of historic Native American figures offer the vibrant presence of the past.  His work pulls history forward into the present, in a way that is truly unique. Nocona has perfected a method that he describes as “painting outward” – applying vibrant pigments onto dark backgrounds to produce richly contrasting colors with vivid depths.  The work on the Terrace level carries forward his distinct style and is something I truly wanted to share with our guests. He is a member of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, the son of a former tribal chief and the great-great-grandson of Chief Quanah Parker.

. 

We look forward to celebrating both our art and history together very soon!

Jenny