Part 3: 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 3 of our check-in series. Check out Part 1 and Part 2.
Elaine Ritchel
Owner of Santa Fe Art Tours
I'm currently based in Santa Fe and feeling very grateful to have a pleasant and cozy space where I can shelter in place. I own and operate a small tour company focused on art and art education, and COVID-19 completely wiped out my business in a matter of days. Although I still have some bookings in the fall, it's unclear when I'll actually be able offer tours again and when people will resume traveling. At first, I think I was in shock. It's a very humbling experience to see something you've built over years crumble in a day or two. I was also frustrated because I adore my work, and I believe in it. Creating opportunities for people to connect with art more deeply feels like my calling, so suddenly not being able to do that was disorienting. After that initial tempest of emotions subsided, I started to think more constructively about ways I could pivot and continue to share art with people.
I hit on the idea of offering online tours of local artists' studios via Zoom, and fortunately, several artists I know were willing to experiment with me. I hosted two studio visits per week in April, and it's been wonderful. Each studio visit is about 45 minutes. The artists show us around their studio and share their work while I facilitate and help out with questions. At the end of the studio visit, there's time for everyone to speak with the artist directly. Several attendees have become "regulars," and even though they're tuning in from all over the country, they're creating connections as fellow art lovers. It's so cool to see that happening.
I've just started to build out our schedule for May and June. I'm introducing new types of events to the schedule as well, like an exhibition walkthrough with artist Erin Louise Gould, whose show is on view at No Land. Offering experiences online is an entirely new endeavor and business model, so I'm still experimenting with it all and figuring it out as I go.
The best way to support us is to sign up for these online events! I'm aiming to keep them affordable, since so many people are in a challenging position right now. These events aren't so much a big money maker as they are a way to keep the business afloat and provide opportunities for people to connect with each other and engage with art from home.
Many of the featured artists are selling paintings and prints and hosting online workshops. If you have the means and would like to bring more art into your life, purchasing work is always a wonderful way to directly support an artist. And if you have taken a tour with us in the past, writing a review on TripAdvisor, Yelp, or Facebook is a great way to support our work––and it doesn't cost a thing.
A nonprofit you can support is the Navajo Water Project, which provides families access to running water. The Navajo Nation has been hit especially hard by COVID-19, and access to water can help to slow the spread of infection. The Pueblo Relief Fund and The Hopi Foundation are also collecting donations to address the impact of COVID-19.
A wonderful local organization that supports art education is ARTsmart. Due to COVID-19, they had to cancel their largest fundraising events. Donations will help them to continue distributing art supplies and resources to students during this time.
Johan David Fridlund
Color Pencil Artist & Musician
I’m lucky enough (or unfortunate? 😂) to be working at Whole Foods, and I’ve been working full time throughout all this. I see posts on Instagram about artists quarantined at home, and I can only dream of being quarantined and be able to dig deep into my work!
Jokes aside, I’m lucky to be working, but since my wife is severely immunocompromised, it is scary being around so many people all day long.
COVID has definitely slowed down the few art sales I normally have. At least two potential buyers had to back out of buying from me, so it has been a challenging time for sure. But I’m still working on my art, trying to reach out to the world...
Jessie Baca
Painter & Owner of Sol Maven
Despite the circumstances, things are going freakishly well. I’m learning to juggle homeschooling and running a biz at the same time, and OMG, that is wild! But, I’m finally getting my groove, and it’s been a really interesting time of reflection and thought about how to best pivot my business… especially being one that rests so much in gathering in-person!
I’m still in Santa Fe and hoping our sweet little tourism-dependent city can stand a chance at bouncing back. I sure miss going to all the amazing restaurants, but I’m SO thankful for the hills to hike in!
I had to postpone all my in-person events. Wooof. I am working on a virtual presence and a platform to create virtual workshops. Another thing in the works (but hasn’t been launched yet) is a Sol Maven subscription box. This will be the tangible component to our virtual workshops and a curated collection of goodies from local, small businesses.
People can support my business by attending our virtual workshops and subscribe to our curated collection boxes (when they are ready—I’ll let you know as soon as things are set)!
I hope people can support our local businesses and restaurants (like Paloma)!!! We need to keep 'em going!