Part 2: COVID19 Updates from Santa Fe Artists & Entrepreneurs
Life, work, and daily realities have drastically changed for all of us lately. We thought we’d check in with some of the artists and entrepreneurs we’ve previously featured on Santa Fe Found to see where they are, what they’re up to, and how we can support their work and the community at large during this time. Here is Part 2 of our check-in series. Part 1 is here.
Bobby Beals
Artist & Art Curator
I am still in Santa Fe. I haven’t traveled much since COVID19 restrictions, but have really enjoyed my home town.
I sold both of my businesses curating artwork for resorts and hotels at the beginning of the year. Interesting timing, as I’m staying on as a consultant for the new owners. We have re-curated both the Drury Plaza Hotel and The Four Seasons with new artists’ works and I’m excited to ‘premier’ what we’ve done. Usually I release a line of skateboards for Kamagraph, but that’s on hold for a couple more months. The designs are already chosen and I’ve received the proofs. They look amazing!
I’ve been painting a lot and finding some homes for my works during this time. I feel really fortunate to be able to create and pursue my passion further. Staying in isolation has allowed me to really focus on what’s important.
Recently, I’ve been working on a variety of food projects to help feed those in need. I’ve worked with some anonymous chefs and donors to feed the elderly, handicapped and disabled and those with dependents. I’ve also worked with Hue-Chan of Open Kitchen to feed those in crisis and in need during this time. I’m also working with the Santa Fe Frontline Food Project and would encourage people to contribute in any way they could. My next steps are to help utilize my network for the Navajo Nation and my friends that are feeding people in need there. I really am enjoying this type of work and utilizing my network to help those in need. I want to attach myself to work like this... it feeds my own character.
Rachel Hosmer Reyes
Bag Maker & Owner of Ami Bags
Well, it's been an interesting time for sure. Brad and I have been making face masks for a few hospitals, doctors’ offices, and now for the Navajo Nation. We have been trying to send out about 20 a week. We recruited one of my best friend's moms to help us sew. She has been a total gift. We prepare the fabrics and she sews them up. Now I'm taking on a lot more of the sewing since I'm caught up on mask orders.
Once I shifted to making face masks for friends and family and online, I was inundated with orders… over 300!!!! I just worked really hard to get all the masks out the door in a timely manner. I'm now caught up and filling orders as they come in (just a few daily).
On another note, I've been baking a lot and riding my bike with Brad. That's been a real godsend. I hope life goes back to normal sooner rather than later, but I'm not sure we will ever be normal again. Until then, I'm going to keep making masks to donate to those that need them.
Sam Kate Toney
Owner of Ramblin’ Rose Hat Co.
Right before I started this business, I also got into a relationship with my partner, Eliot. Eliot came with a son, and 2019—being the unkind year that it was for most people—lead Eliot to unemployment and eventually into a job that required him to put in many hours on days that he was supposed to parent. I suddenly found myself not only running a new business, but thrown into a primary caretaker role for a five year old. Looking back at the pictures you took for my Santa Fe Found interview, although they are hard for me to look at, also help to remind me of my strength.
Once again, Eliot and I find ourselves in a situation where I'm the only one in the household working, but life looks and feels much different this time. When I started Ramblin Rose Hat Co. in 2018, I had one goal in mind: to be sustainable. And after many years of living without that goal in mind, I decided that the best way to achieve it is by working slow. And now that the world has been forced to slow down with me, I can really stop to appreciate the beauty of my craft. We, as humans, have gotten way too used to a life of instant gratification, and we and our planet have suffered because of it. Before the pandemic, I rarely gave myself a true day off, and it showed in those photos.
Right now, I'm hiking at least once a week, reading books that have been on my shelf for upwards of a year, eating foods that give my body energy, loving on my friends and family near and far, AND I'm the most productive I've ever been. I fully understand that life in quarantine hasn't been so revelatory or kind to everyone, but I hope we can all learn some valuable lessons from it and be able to look back and see strength.
This community has always been so supportive of me and I will do everything in my power to reciprocate that support as we establish a new "normal" for our city. We live on some of the most beautiful land that this country has to offer and now more than ever, I feel so incredibly blessed to call Santa Fe home. <3