Albuquerque, NM May 2026

LUXURY HANDBAG TRUNK SHOW

To our wonderful mothers, wives, and women of ABQ!

As the cottonwoods begin to bloom along the Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains take on that vibrant spring glow, there is a palpable sense of renewal in the air. This month, we dedicate our pages to the heart and soul of our community: the women of Albuquerque.

In this "Ladies Issue," we aren’t just celebrating achievements; we are celebrating the unique blend of resilience and elegance that New Mexico women embody. From the entrepreneurs driving our local economy to the advocates who recently helped secure historic milestones for our families, the women in these pages represent the very best of us.

Inside, you’ll find stories that reflect this spirit. We highlight the visionaries behind the "Women in Abstraction" spotlight at the Albuquerque Museum and the leaders heading this month’s  WomenRising conference. Their stories remind us that leadership isn't just about a title; it’s about the "quiet luxury" of making an impact and lifting others as we climb.

As Albuquerque celebrates its 320th birthday this month, I find myself reflecting on the generations of women who shaped this city—builders, artists, and healers who turned this high-desert landscape into a home.

Whether you are enjoying a quiet moment at a local cafe in Nob Hill or preparing for a busy week of leadership, I hope this issue inspires you to recognize your own strength and the incredible community of women standing with you.

Here’s to the women who make Albuquerque move.

RICH RINGROSE, PUBLISHER @ABQCITYLIFESTYLE

May 2026

PUBLISHER

Rich Ringrose | rich.ringrose@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Richard Lakin | richard.lakin@citylifestyle.com

STAFF WRITER

Rudy Carrillo, Jill Robbins, Keri Bridgwater, Regan Bervar

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Autumn Oglesby

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Rudy Carrillo, Keri Bridgwater, Jill Robbins, Richard Lakin

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Visit San Antonio, Nate Lemuel/ Darklisted Photography, Razelle Benally, Raechel Running, Eric Arce, Christa Valdez

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

Proverbs 3:5-6

A Different Kind of Brokerage

Jessica Taylor helped shape Realty One of New Mexico in a simple way — she listened.

Together with Mike Taylor, they built a place where different styles, goals, and ways of doing business actually work.

A brokerage where you can build something of your own — with the support, structure, and scale behind it.

ARTICLE BY KALI KASORZYK

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

BECKY HILLYARD

From Side Hustle to Style Empire

The power of taste, trust, and the courage to “just start.”

She didn’t have a business plan, a media budget, or even a name anyone could pronounce. What Becky Hillyard had was taste, a young family, and the instinct to just start. Today, her lifestyle brand Cella Jane commands an audience the size of Vogue’s , she’s nine collections strong with Splendid, and she’s built it all while raising three kids — refusing to sacrifice one for the other. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Becky shares what it really takes to build a brand, a career, and a life you love. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full conversation.

Q: WHEN DID YOU KNOW CELLA JANE WAS MORE THAN A HOBBY?

A: Two moments. Women started emailing me saying they bought something I recommended and felt amazing — asking me to help them find a dress for a wedding. That felt incredible. Then I looked at my affiliate numbers for one month and realized I could cover our mortgage. I thought, I can actually do this. I never set out to build a business. I started it because I genuinely loved it.

Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK WITH THE BRAND?

A: Designing my own collection. It’s easy to point at items on a website and say I love these. But to create something from scratch, put your name on it, and wait to see if people connect with it — that’s terrifying. I had an incredible partner in Splendid, and women loved the pieces. It was the biggest risk and the biggest accomplishment.

Q: HOW HAS INFLUENCER MARKETING CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?

A: When I started, brands didn’t know whether to take it seriously. Now it’s a legitimate line item in their marketing budgets — sometimes bigger than TV. Because what we’ve built is trust. People trust a real recommendation from someone they follow far more than a commercial. There’s no question about it now.

Q: YOU’RE A MOM OF THREE RUNNING A FULL BRAND. WHAT DOES YOUR DAY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?

A: I try to get up at five and not hit snooze — that first hour before the house wakes up is the most productive, most peaceful hour of my day. Then it’s all hands on deck with the kids and school drop-off. After that I work — planning content, connecting with my team, editing. After pickup, the day shifts completely and it’s all about them. I’ve learned to protect both halves fiercely, because both matter.

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN BUT KEEPS WAITING?

A: Don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect camera, the right strategy, or enough followers. We find every excuse to stay comfortable. Just start, be consistent, and be authentically yourself. The right people will find you — and they’ll stay.

This conversation is just the beginning. Becky goes deeper on the risks that almost stopped her, the design process behind her latest Splendid collection, and what she’d tell her 2012 self today. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.

“Trust is the only metric that actually compounds.”

— Becky Hillyard

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Patricia

ARTICLE BY KERI BRIDGWATER PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATE LEMUEL, DARKLISTED PHOTOGRAPHY

Heritage to High Fashion

Michaels

Patricia Michaels returns to SWAIA Native Fashion Week in Santa Fe this month as a defining voice in contemporary Indigenous couture. The first Native American designer to present a full collection at New York Fashion Week—and a competitor on Season 11 and All Stars of Project Runway—Michaels has spent decades creating space for Indigenous storytelling within an industry that was slow to recognize it. Her foundation was laid early in Santa Fe, where her mother became the city’s first Native gallery owner. She attended school on Canyon Road, surrounded by working artists, and grew up in a home where visual culture was part of daily life. “House walls covered with Navajo blankets” gave her, she says, “an understanding of the beauty in Native culture.” Pieces by Maria Martinez and Nampeyo—leading figures who redefined Pueblo ceramics—also shaped a visual language rooted in form, texture, and tradition.

Frequent drives to Taos Pueblo were formative. “We would only see five to 10 cars along the way,” she recalls. The openness of the landscape, “vast, quiet, uninterrupted,” sharpened her sense of attention and imagination. That way of seeing continues to inform her design process. “Most of my work involves hand-painted, dyed, felted, textured, and distressed leather, handmade sequins and embellishments, and some weavings,” she explains. Tactile and layered, each piece carries its own history, shaped as much by process as by intention.

Early on, Michaels understood she would need to define things on her own terms. “It has been important for me to carve my own vision and path, one that didn’t exist for Native people in contemporary fashion,” she says. At the time, an industry centered on ready-towear production offered little room for work grounded in narrative or craft. Her practice developed outside that framework—neither fully aligned with industry expectations nor easily categorized. Her 2011 appearance on Project Runway

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“IT HAS BEEN IMPORTANT FOR ME TO CARVE MY OWN VISION AND PATH, ONE THAT DIDN’T EXIST FOR NATIVE PEOPLE IN CONTEMPORARY FASHION.”

shifted how her work was seen. “The world looked at stereotypes for Native people, so my fashion wasn’t accepted as Native until I did the show,” she says. It gave her a wider audience—but more importantly, the space to define her work on her own terms. “Being there was an opportunity to tell my story and introduce the importance of textiles in fashion.”

The exposure broadened her reach, “bringing a world of opportunity that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.” In 2011, Michaels became the first Native American designer to present her own full collection at New York Fashion Week.

“I had been in the studio for 30 years at that point, so it was long overdue,” she says, noting it would “open opportunities for other Natives to start creating visions of their own.” It also marked a shift in how her work was received. “For once, the stories behind my collections were appreciated, instead of being dismissed as too esoteric.”

That perspective carries into her teaching at Parsons School of Design in New York, where she works with students from around the world. “I teach what I was never taught in college: an appreciation for one’s cultural background,” she explains. Many arrive eager to create but unsure how to translate it into their designs; she encourages them to trust their instincts rather than default to fast fashion. That approach extends to materials and production. “I have never created bulk fashion and use natural fibers for 80 per cent of my collections,” she explains. Ideas like “no waste fashion,” rooted in Indigenous traditions, are now shaping how her students think about sustainability.

Throughout her global career, Michaels has maintained a strong connection to her homeland. “The way nature provides to the landscape gives us something to think about beyond ourselves,” she says. “It is subtle and silent, and in that silence, we can begin to give voice to what is there.” It’s also where she continues to draw her sense of form, color, and movement. “Native is always my first go-to.” At SWAIA Native Fashion Week (held May 8–9 at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa in Santa Fe) that influence comes into focus. “SWAIA has always been a place for all Native people and their families to shine.” Her latest

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collection draws from the natural world: “the theme is my corn field—weather, birds, the unseen miracle of growing life, our sacred stalks, and laughter.”

As Native fashion gains wider visibility, Michaels remains clear about what she hopes people understand. “I want the world to know we are alive, strong, and still retain our traditions,” she says.

The first Native American designer to present a full collection at New York Fashion Week—and a competitor on Season 11 and All Stars of Project Runway—Michaels has spent decades creating space for Indigenous storytelling within an industry that was slow to recognize it. Her foundation was laid early in Santa Fe, where her mother became the city’s first Native gallery owner. She attended school on Canyon Road, surrounded by working artists, and grew up in a home where visual culture was part of daily life. “House walls covered with Navajo blankets” gave her, she says, “an understanding of the beauty in Native culture.” Pieces by Maria Martinez and Nampeyo—leading figures who redefined Pueblo ceramics—also shaped a visual language rooted in form, texture, and tradition.

Frequent drives to Taos Pueblo were formative. “We would only see five to 10 cars along the way,” she recalls. The openness of the landscape, “vast, quiet, uninterrupted,” sharpened her sense of attention and imagination. That way of seeing continues to inform her design process. “Most of my work involves hand-painted, dyed, felted, textured, and distressed leather, handmade sequins and embellishments, and some weavings,” she explains. Tactile and layered, each piece carries its own history, shaped as much by process as by intention.

Early on, Michaels understood she would need to define things on her own terms. “It has been important for me to carve my own vision and path, one that didn’t exist for Native people in contemporary fashion,” she says. At the time, an industry centered on ready-to-wear production offered little room for work grounded in narrative or craft. Her practice developed outside that framework—neither fully aligned with industry expectations nor easily categorized. Her 2011 appearance on Project Runway shifted how her work was seen. “The world looked at stereotypes for Native people, so my fashion wasn’t accepted as Native until I did the show,” she says. It gave her a wider audience—but more importantly, the space to define her work on her own terms. “Being there was an opportunity to tell my story and introduce the importance of textiles in fashion.”

The exposure broadened her reach, “bringing a world of opportunity that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.” In 2011, Michaels became the first Native American designer to present her own full collection at New York Fashion Week. “I had been in the studio for 30 years at that point, so it was long overdue,” she says, noting it would “open opportunities for other Natives to start creating visions of their own.” It also marked a shift in how her work was received. “For once, the stories behind my collections were appreciated, instead of being dismissed as too esoteric.”

That perspective carries into her teaching at Parsons School of Design in New York, where she works with students from around the world. “I teach what I was never taught in college: an appreciation for one’s cultural background,” she explains. Many arrive eager to create but unsure how to translate it into their designs; she encourages them to trust their instincts rather than default to fast fashion. That approach extends to materials and production. “I have never created bulk fashion and use natural fibers for 80 per cent of my collections,” she explains. Ideas like “no waste fashion,” rooted in Indigenous traditions, are now shaping how her students think about sustainability.

Throughout her global career, Michaels has maintained a strong connection to her homeland. “The way nature provides to the landscape gives us something to think about beyond ourselves,” she says. “It is subtle and silent, and in that silence, we can begin to give voice to what is there.” It’s also where she continues to draw her sense of form, color, and movement. “Native is always my first go-to.” At SWAIA Native Fashion Week (held May 8–9 at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa in Santa Fe) that influence comes into focus. “SWAIA has always been a place for all Native people and their families to shine.” Her latest collection draws from the natural world: “the theme is my corn field—weather, birds, the unseen miracle of growing life, our sacred stalks, and laughter.” As Native fashion gains wider visibility, Michaels remains clear about what she hopes people understand. “I want the world to know we are alive, strong, and still retain our traditions,” she says.

Experience

SPRING IN SAN ANTONIO

A Mini Guide to the Season

ARTICLE BY JILL ROBBINS

Late spring in San Antonio hits a sweet spot. May and early June bring long, sunny days, landing visitors in the pocket of the year where the Texas heat isn’t too intense. While San Antonio doesn’t really have a slow season, the spring break crowds have mostly dissipated by the time May rolls around.

“Remember the Alamo - but explore more of the city.”

San Antonio’s biggest bash, Fiesta San Antonio, happens mid-to-late April, so May and early June bring shorter lines at popular attractions and wider hotel room availability.

Remember the Alamo - but explore more of the city.

The San Antonio River Walk and the Alamo are perennially popular but those two icons only scratch the surface, so challenge yourself to explore beyond them. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park preserves four additional Spanish Colonial missions connected by the eight-mile Mission Reach section of the River Walk, where visitors can bike, walk, or kayak along the San Antonio River.  San Antonio attractions worth planning your day around.

Here are three don’t-miss activities that are easily paired with the Alamo and River Walk.

Hopscotch

711 Navarro St, Suite 100

This immersive art gallery blends interactive installations, projection art, and large-scale murals that invite visitors to step inside the artwork. In many cases, touch is welcome, as with the Quantum Trampoline that feels like being inside Van Gogh’s Starry Night. The onsite bar serves colorful cocktails and mocktails that can be carried into the galleries.

Briscoe Western Art Museum

201 W Market St

This museum explores the history and mythology of the American West through paintings, sculpture, and artifacts. Exhibits range from cowboy gear to largerthan-life outdoor sculpture.

San Fernando Cathedral

115 Main Plaza

One of the oldest cathedrals in the United States is fully open to the public, although it is a working church. The Saga, a free nightly light projection show tells the story of San Antonio across the cathedral’s façade.

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WHERE TO EAT

Even if it feels touristy, don’t skip a GO RIO boat tour on your first day - it’s a great way to get oriented and scope out the many eateries. One river cruise captain joked that the River Walk’s restaurants fall into a few categories: Mexican, steak, Mexican, BBQ, and Mexican. While the Mexican food is terrific, here are a few off-the-radar places visitors might miss.

Isidore

221 Newell Ave

Seasonal, locally sourced ingredients with a Texas Hill Country influence, offering a refined but approachable dining experience.

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou

312 Pearl Parkway

Classic French brasserie fare to the Pearl, served in an elegant setting with a menu of rich, comforting dishes.

Bombay Bicycle Club

607 Hemisfair Blvd

This vibey eatery in Hemisfair has beautiful stained glass, funky leopard-print velvet couches, and a casual menu.

WHERE TO STAY

Any downtown River Walk hotel is a solid choice if you want to be steps from the action, but there are other spots in San Antonio worth checking out that have a more relaxed energy. The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas near SeaWorld recently debuted a fiveacre Crystal Lagoon, a massive clear-water swimming and recreation area. Hotel Emma in the Historic Pearl District and the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa are worth looking into if you don’t have to be in the middle of the downtown bustle.

MAY HAPPENINGS

San Antonio Asian Festival - May 9

This family-friendly event at Hemisfair’s Civic Park celebrates Asian culture with food vendors, cultural demonstrations, performances, and arts and crafts.

“Maya Blue: Ancient Color, New Visions” - Opens May 10

A new exhibit at the San Antonio Museum of Art explores the meaning and influence of the color blue in Mayan art, drawing on the museum’s collection and examining its continued significance in contemporary works.

Uncork & Unwind Spring Fling - May 14

This evening event features award-winning wines from the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition paired with small bites from local chefs and panoramic views of the city skyline.

“Late spring in San Antonio hits a sweet spot. May and early June bring long, sunny days, landing visitors in the pocket of the year where the Texas heat isn’t too intense.”

Pride River Parades - May 30

Two colorful floating parades wind through the San Antonio River Walk, featuring decorated barges, music, and entertainment. The celebration also includes live performances and festivities at La Villita Historic Arts Village. Hemisfair Neighborhood

• Just south of downtown and steps from the River Walk, Hemisfair is a revitalized district built around the grounds of the 1968 World’s Fair. Today, it blends history with modern spaces, colorful, nostalgic public art, and a growing collection of places to eat and drink.

• Families gravitate to Yanaguana Garden’s playground and splash pad just steps away from the Tower of the Americas, where visitors can see San Antonio from more than 700 feet in the air. Neighborhood dining favorites include Box Street Social, Re:Rooted 210 Urban Winery, and Lick Honest Ice Creams.

• The newly opened Monarch San Antonio adds stylish, luxury boutique accommodations in the heart of Hemisfair, while the nearby Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk offers upscale rooms within easy walking distance.

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KERI

ATAUMBI

STORIES IN GOLD AND STONE

BY RAZELLE BENALLY, RAECHEL RUNNING

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From her Cerrillos Hills studio, the Santa Fe jeweler creates heirloom pieces that combine precious materials, Native traditions, and powerful storytelling.

Keri Ataumbi’s jewelry often begins the way a conversation does—with an opening that draws you in. A glint of gold, a carved shell, a form that feels both ancient and entirely new. “The pieces can be an invitation to connect,” she says. “People see something beautiful, then you can share the story.” Her sense of adornment as invitation stemmed from her mother, a driving force in Native American fashion. Growing up on the Shoshone side of the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, Ataumbi

remembers her in cloth t-dresses, “always paying attention to contemporary styles, but playing with them through a very traditional voice,” regularly stopping strangers in their tracks. “Mom was a grassroots educator, and she did that through her adornment,” she says. In the 1960s, her mother ran a trading post that treated work by local artists as fine art, rather than roadside crafts. One wall held materials (beads, hides, fringe, sinew) that community members, including Ataumbi and her sister (acclaimed native beadworker Teri Greeves), had to buy. “She wanted us to learn business,” she says. “We couldn’t just raid the shelves.”

After a brief stint on the East Coast, Ataumbi came to Santa Fe in 1990 to visit her mother—and stayed. “I’ve basically been here ever since, and kind of feel like I grew up in Santa Fe.” The city still resonates because of its long history as a crossroads. “The Southwest has always been a trading center,” she says. “All of that converged here.” Ataumbi studied painting with an emphasis on sculpture at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, but it was a community college jewelry course—taken later, almost incidentally—that changed everything. Today, her studio—wrapped in a vegetable garden and alive with birds and

“The Southwest has always been a trading center.”

wildlife—sits in the Cerrillos Hills just south of the city, a landscape long defined by turquoise: the historic Tiffany Mine lies nearby, but for centuries, trade routes stretched into Mexico and beyond. “You develop a relationship with a place like this,” says Ataumbi of the landscape where she creates museum-quality jewelry that reads more like small-scale sculpture—intimate, wearable, and deeply considered. Materials span diamonds and horn to shell and hide, each chosen with intention. “I work with recycled and fair-trade metals,” she says. “There’s already so much gold and silver in the world.” In her studio, even filings and dust are saved, refined, and reused. Her process is both technical and spiritual. Some pieces begin with personal memory: conch shell gathered while sailing with her husband became a flower earring made during a period when she missed the ocean. Others unfold over years. “When we make something, especially for someone, the process is like a prayer,” she

“Imagine how rich this country would be if we actually knew all those stories and respected them.”

says. Many draw on Kiowa creation stories and broader Native cosmologies. “There are more than 500 Native nations in what’s now the United States, and every one of them has its own creation story,” she adds. “Imagine how rich this country would be if we actually knew all those stories and respected them.”

Ataumbi structures her practice around the natural and cultural worlds. Limited collections are released at equinoxes, “small collections that rotate around those points of the celestial calendar,” while another body of work builds each year toward Santa Fe Indian Market, where Ataumbi has shown for 25 years. “There’s nowhere else that you can see that many Native artists in one place,”

she says. “It’s where friendships and real understanding start.” As her work gains broader visibility—from museum collections to red carpets, including pieces worn by Lily Gladstone at the Met Gala—Ataumbi sees a long-overdue shift. “It’s about time, she says, “because in this country, there is no place you’re not on Native land.” For Ataumbi, that recognition is both personal and part of a broader re-centering of Native voices within American art and design. The core of her practice, however, remains unchanged: to create objects that hold meaning, invite conversation, and carry stories forward. In her hands, jewelry becomes a way of learning—one that asks you to pause, look closer, and listen.

(505) 292-9699 edwardjones.com/joel-esquibel 12251 Academy Road NE Suite 102, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111

Turning Outdoor Dreams into Reality

THE Picuris BIKE PARK

ARTICLE BY RICHARD LAKIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC ARCE

In 2019, the state of New Mexico wanted to make outdoor recreation an economic priority. With snow regions, rivers, mountain trails, deserts, and other wild areas, there was a great deal of interest in outdoor recreation. When the pandemic came along, there was even more interest as people wanted to get out of the house without encountering crowds. A recent release of federal data shows that this was a successful effort. In 2024, New Mexico’s outdoor recreation industry contributed $3.6 billion to the state’s economy, supported 31,454 jobs, and accounted for 2.5% of the state’s gross domestic product. Since its 2019 inception, New Mexico’s Outdoor Recreation Division has invested nearly $34 million in trails and infrastructure and nearly $9 million into the

“IT’S GETTING national recognition FOR SURE, AND WE HOPE THAT IT CONTINUES TO DRAW PEOPLE THERE, BUT ULTIMATELY AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT’S for the people OF PICURIS. IT’S an asset FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.”

Outdoor Equity Fund to improve youth access to the outdoors, so there has been a significant return on investment. The benefits are not only economic. The outdoor lifestyle improves public health and gives local youth an outlet that may keep them focused on activities that keep them out of trouble.

Former Tribal Governor Craig Quanchello of Picuris Pueblo, a Pueblo of about 300 people south of Taos, grew up there and knew that bored, unengaged kids can go down the wrong path in life. He decided that a recreational facility would give the youth an opportunity for healthy activity and the means to develop a passion that would keep them more focused. Moreover, it would attract action sports enthusiasts to the small village and contribute to the local economy.

That’s where Rocket Ramps comes in. Co-owners Henry Lanman, Founder of Rocket Ramps, and his business partner Teddy Jaramillo pitched the Pueblo a world-class bike park. Henry says, “The Picuris Governor told us, ‘We need to provide opportunities for our youth here at the Pueblo for alternative forms of recreation, essentially to keep people busy and healthy and just providing some outlets for kids.’ That started their outdoor initiative push, which initially included a world-class skate park, a pump track, and a trampoline park. The final phase of this outdoor rec push was a roughly 10-acre bike park. They were awarded a series of grants for the park through an Outdoor Recreation Division grant.”

For the uninitiated, a pump track is a trail with rollers (small hills) designed for bikes and skateboards. Riders gain momentum with a pumping motion of shifting their weight up and down.

Henry and Teddy were pleasantly surprised at the scope of the park that the Pueblo was looking for. Henry told us, “Their vision

was essentially ‘We want the gnarliest, most intense bike park you can build, and we want the best bike jump park in the Southwest,’ which is like a dream come true for us, because we rarely get to build the big jumps. It’s very stimulating and fun work. We came up with the design for them and pitched them on a progressive trick zone, some progressive jump lines, a professional-level slopestyle course, and a grand opening event, along with media assets. The park is Red Bull certified, so they could potentially host a world championship event.”

Henry told us that in addition to the healthy physical activity, there are additional opportunities. “It’s really going to provide endless opportunities for individuals from the community and the Pueblo to explore alternative means of income generation.

“THEY WANT PEOPLE TO utilize THE PARK WHO AREN’T FROM PICURIS, AND TO help inspire PEOPLE AND SHOW WHAT’S POSSIBLE AT THE PARK, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS FOR THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.”

Let’s say that there’s somebody who wants to pursue a career in film. They can then go out and utilize the rec part to do some filming to show a very different perspective of action sports in rural northern New Mexico. There’s also the rising popularity and viability of being an influencer. There’s a market for action sports content on the internet, documentary venues, and print publications. There are also potential opportunities as pro athletes.”

Henry says, “It’s getting national recognition for sure, and we hope that it continues to draw people there, but ultimately

at the end of the day, it’s for the people of Picuris. It’s an asset for their community. They want people to utilize the park who aren’t from Picuris, and to help inspire people and show what’s possible at the park, but at the end of the day, it is for the community members.”

There is information and lots of videos of the Picuris Bike Park on a variety of social media platforms. Google the name of the park, and you’ll see all the national attention that the park has generated. There are camping facilities at the park.

“THERE’S ALSO THE rising POPULARITY AND viability OF BEING AN INFLUENCER. THERE’S A MARKET FOR action sports CONTENT ON THE INTERNET, DOCUMENTARY VENUES, AND PRINT PUBLICATIONS. THERE ARE ALSO potential opportunities AS PRO ATHLETES.”

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ARTICLE BY RUDOLFO CARRILLO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTESY CHRISTA VALDEZ

CHRISTA VALDEZ

“DO WHAT YOU LOVE, AND YOU’LL NEVER WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE.”

Talking art, particularly film and New Mexico movies, here in the city of Albuquerque, means talking about Christa Valdez. Talking to Christa Valdez is even more important; she’s a mover and a shaker in our city’s creative community, after all.

On the phone, our local arts and cinema maven said that her latest project — focused on bringing local creatives to the fore via passionately homegrown but professionally provocative vodcasts available 24/7 through her new website Viva New Mexico — is designed to be “two parts Pee-Wee's Playhouse, and a pinch of Meow Wolf. That's the stage, and the canvas, I've put together.”

During the interview that followed that first contact, she reminded us that once her new facilities are up and running, it’s going to be contingent on a supportive Albuquerque arts community to help grow that vision for our city: "It's up to the storytellers to come out and "paint" and "dance”, she said as I scheduled an interview with her and got ready to talk about the arts in our fair duke city.

Talking with Valdez means that one is serious about the cinema around these parts. Valdez means business; she’s worked in and supported the film industry in this state for a good part of her life; she’s been a professional in the Duke City since Chavez was the mayor, for what it’s worth. Christa is a stalwart member of our creative scene, an artist, businesswoman, and industry prophet to some. Here’s what she told Albuquerque City Lifestyle when we met up recently.

WHAT’S GOING ON, MS. VALDEZ?

This morning, I was like, what the heck am I going to say? So, I jotted down what I’ve been doing … It's a long list.

FAIR ENOUGH. YOUR NAME CROPS UP WHENEVER EXPERTS ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FILM INDUSTRY, ABOUT THE NATURE OF CREATIVITY IN THIS STATE … COULD YOU TELL OUR READERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR CAREER, PLEASE?

I was 21 years old when I plopped in there from NMSU, straight from Las Cruces to Rio Rancho.I was a project manager at Intel. From Intel, I went into radio sales. And I started doing some promotions; that was with what is now iHeart Radio. And I mean, that was my bag. That was my jam, because I grew up on the radio. And I still love it. CONTINUED

BUT YOU BECAME FOCUSED ON FILM AS TIME WENT BY, QUE NO?

As I look back, it aligns like puzzle pieces to me. I started [my first film project] in 2008. I appointed myself a New Mexico film and talent Advocate. It started with just a film blog, One Headlight, named after a tune by Jakob Dylan. And from there, it quickly snowballed, thankfully, into the film website, New Mexico Film News. And I did that for 14 years. But when COVID hit, the [film] industry shut down in New Mexico [temporarily].

WHY DID NEW MEXICO FILM BECOME YOUR FORTE?

I fell in love with the blog that turned into the website. I have reels out there of me out at Ghost Ranch in dusty winds, talking to actors on set. I just like talking to people. And I like sharing awareness and promoting people.

YOU’RE DEFINITELY A PEOPLE PERSON; LET’S TALK ABOUT THAT A BIT.

I started to work with actors. One of my favorite clients was [actor and filmmaker] Alejandro Montoya Marin, and the way we found each other is that he had already done a few movies [and worked in New Mexico]. Then, the website went from One Headlight to nmfilmnews.com. We were getting 2,000 hits a day. That was d*mn good in my book. So I started representing talent, on-screen talent and behind the scenes; filmmakers like Alejandro. I started to work with them, helping them promote their work and featuring them on the website.

FAST FORWARD PAST THE DEBACLE OF COVID TO YOUR LATEST PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE DIRECTED TOWARD OUR CITY’S VIBRANT ART AND FILM SCENE.

In 2024, I was able to take out a mortgage on my house, and that’s the money that I’m using now to create a full production studio. We’re going to have a fully functioning production studio in a 2,000-square-foot space; we have a photo studio, and we have a production studio. We're going to have a full glam hair and makeup area. I know the community is there, and I know the community is in need. You know, there are filmmakers who need to be lifted up. There are people who need to be lifted up, especially right now. The industry is slow right now.

“IT’S UP TO THE STORYTELLERS TO COME OUT AND “PAINT” AND “DANCE.”

WHAT’S YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY AS YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS NEW, IMPORTANT CREATIVE PROJECT?

I teach my kids that what I want for me and for them is to have a clear conscience when you go to bed … and to be happy, and when you wake up be happy; like the saying, do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life. I live by those things. Authenticity is the only way for me to be happy. And when I say great things [about Mexico film or the arts], I mean great because those things feed my soul and they make me happy! Helping someone else sort of realize their dream or do what they need to do, not just what they want to do, but what they need to do, is where I am at.

WHAT CAN READERS DO TO SUPPORT YOUR VISION?

Check out our new website, it's called Viva New Mexico [vivanewmexico.us]. Read the articles, do the research. Contact Christa at Viva New Mexico if you’re interested in contributing, donating, or working to sponsor people in our local creative community!

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS

ARTICLE BY SARAH KNIEFF

Supplies:

• Flowers of your choice

• Scissors

• Twine or floral tape

• Ribbon (optional)

Decorate Your Space With a DIY Floral Design

Spring: the days grow longer, weather turns warmer, and the earth’s greenery starts to make its reappearance. During this time, flowers shoot up from the ground in a ballet of colors and movement. Walking outside becomes a cherished moment to breathe the fresh air and immerse yourself in lush surroundings. Being inside your home turns dreary and dull, everything that thrives is now outside, but this can easily be remedied. Why not bring some life inside? Make a spring floral bouquet to lighten up your space. Flowers add color and character to any room that needs a little lift, and our step-by-step guide will inspire you to create something grand.

• Decorative paper (optional)

• Bouquet sleeve (optional)

“Just remember, whatever way you choose to decorate your bouquet, you will end with a personalized piece made with love and care.”

Directions:

Step 1: When creating a beautiful floral arrangement, the first thing to do is decide on a color scheme and prepare the flowers.  Have fun deciding what colors you want to play with. Perhaps go pastel for spring or match the hues to other decor items in your house. Once you have picked your flowers, you need to do a little prep work. First, remove extra leaves and damaged petals from the stems. Then make a fresh diagonal cut to the bottom of all the flowers. This allows each bloom to soak up as much water as they need.

Step 2: Now it’s arranging time — think focal and filler. The best way to start the arranging process is by choosing your most interesting or favorite flowers — this will be your focal point. Hold the focal flower(s) upright and add your supporting blooms around it. Make sure to turn the bouquet as you build so that the design is as desired. Once this is complete, add your filler flowers to finalize the look. Filler options include baby’s breath, ivy, fern, eucalyptus and more.

Step 3: Let’s get ready to tie. Once you’ve arranged your bouquet, tie all the stems together using twine or floral tape. If using twine, we recommend securing it in a small bow in case you would like to rearrange at any given time. Floral tape is easy to move on and off for this purpose as well.

Step 4: Add the finishing touches. At this point, you are almost done with your bouquet and all that’s left is embellishments. There are so many ways to further adorn your creation: one way we love is to wrap it in fun decorative paper or put it in a special sleeve made just for flowers. If this idea isn’t for you, we recommend going to Pinterest for inspiration. Just remember, whatever way you choose to decorate your bouquet, you will end with a personalized piece made with love and care.

BERRY BRUSCHETTA

A RECIPE FROM A CUP FULL OF SASS

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY TINNIN

This Berry Bruschetta is a delightful twist on the classic bruschetta that we all love. This version uses fruit, bringing a sweet element to the traditionally savory dish. With the use of fresh berries, cream cheese, delicious fruit spread, crumbled cheese, and fresh rosemary, it is the perfect addition to your next spring event. This simple, yet beautiful appetizer could be enjoyed at your next brunch, shower or Mother’s Day celebration. But let’s be honest—you don’t need an excuse to enjoy this delectable dish!

INGREDIENTS:

• 12 baguette slices

• Extra virgin olive oil (for brushing)

• 4 oz cream cheese

• 1/4 cup Fruit and Honey Triple Berry Spread (or any fruit spread of your choice)

• 1/3 cup fresh strawberries, sliced

• 1/3 cup fresh blueberries

• 2 oz fruit cheese (such as Wensleydale with Autumn Fruit), crumbled

• Fresh rosemary for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Lightly brush the front and back of the baguette slices with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

3. Toast baguette slices in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until lightly toasted.

4. Once the baguette slices are cool, spread a generous layer of cream cheese over each slice.

5. Add the fruit spread on top of the cream cheese.

6. Add sliced strawberries and a few blueberries, allowing the vibrant colors to pop. (A great place to find fresh fruit is our local staple, Crystal & Rich’s Produce.)

7. Crumble the fruit cheese over the top for an added layer of richness and depth.

8. Garnish with fresh Rosemary if desired.

9. Serve and enjoy!

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

INDOOR PLANT GUIDE

Investing in indoor plants can not only spruce up your living space, but also bring numerous health and well-being benefits

Bringing the outdoors in with the use of house plants is a great way to add color and dimension to your space. We sat down with Jesse Nelson at Family Tree Nursery, based in Kansas, and discussed the benefits of incorporating plant life into your home. “There are plenty of studies on the health benefits of plants, and the evidence suggests that being around plants and caring for plant life increases overall wellness,” explains Nelson. “Anytime you bring a plant into a home or work environment, it’s going to make you feel better. It is going to beautify the space in a way that art cannot, and they also have the added benefit of  purifying the air.” There are a wide variety of indoor plants that work for any space and light situation that you may have. Regardless if you have a green thumb or a black thumb, there are plant varieties that fit your lifestyle. Here are a few of our favorite indoor plants to incorporate into your home.

ANTHURIUM:

Anthurium has gorgeous, colorful flowers and is the easiest indoor flowering plant to care for. It comes in a variety of colors including red, white, orange and purple. Anthurium likes to be dry, so let it go bone dry before watering. Fertilize every so often, especially when blooming. These plants do not like direct sunlight and can be repotted every three to five years.

HOPE PEPEROMIA:

This cascading plant is gaining popularity due to its succulent-like leaves and also because it is fairly easy to care for. The Hope Peperomia likes medium to bright direct sunlight. It does well as a tabletop plant or a hanging plant. Watering is only needed one time a month regardless of plant size.

“Anytime you bring a plant into a home or work environment, it’s going to make you feel better. It is going to beautify the space in a way that art cannot, and they also have the added benefit of  purifying the air.”

This is a slow-growing variety that is architectural and compact. This plant is a great statement piece and looks great in an entryway or by a chair. There are a lot of varieties and colors of the Dracaena. They are very resilient in low light and are great for an office space with little or no light. They like to stay on the dry side, so they like to be watered when they are about ½ to ¾ of the way dry. When watering, give it a good soak. Pro tip: A moisture meter can be purchased and used to determine how dry your plant is to help determine when it is time to water again.

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DELIGHT MOM WITH HOMEMADE BELGIAN WAFFLES

ARTICLE BY MATTHEW SOUSA

Mother’s Day is the perfect occasion to treat Mom to a special homemade breakfast, and nothing says “I love you” like a plate of warm, fluffy Belgian waffles. These waffles are crispy on the outside, light and airy on the inside, and perfect for a delicious morning celebration.

CLASSIC BELGIAN WAFFLE RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tbsp sugar

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 2 eggs, separated

• 1¾ cups milk

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

2. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks, then mix in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.

3. Combine the wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.

4.  In another bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then gently fold them into the batter.

5. Preheat your waffle iron and lightly grease it. Pour in enough batter to cover the surface and cook until golden brown and crisp.

Serving Suggestions:

Top the waffles with fresh berries, whipped cream, and a drizzle of maple syrup or chocolate sauce. Pair with a hot cup of coffee or fresh orange juice for a perfect Mother’s Day surprise.

This simple yet elegant breakfast is a heartfelt way to show Mom just how much she means to you. Happy Mother’s Day!

BREAKFAST Mother’s Day