TAOS ART MUSEUM’S MEET THE ARTIST EVENT TO FEATURE WORK BY JACQUELINE GALA
Silversmith and award-winning jewelry designer Jacqueline Gala began her career first as a painter, then a photographer. While attending high school and college art classes at Santa Fe’s Institute for American Indian Arts (IAIA) in the 1970s, Jacquie started painting. Finding that medium unsatisfactory as a means of expression, she turned to photography. Still wishing to find a media that suited her, Jacquie arrived at silversmithing. Jacquie spent summers at Taos Pueblo surrounded by her mother’s family. She recalls times when the family piled into the wagon (later a truck) to ride into Taos. Jacquie remembers seeing Taos Pueblo men wearing their traditional blankets and long braids reaching to their waists—a common sight special to that time. In 1982, at the age of 20, Jacquie moved permanently to Taos Pueblo to raise her two children. Today, she lives on the land where her relatives once raised corn, beans, squash, and other vegetables that fed the family. Her children and her boyfriend/fellow artist, David Vedoe, inspire her work. Some of Jacquie’s designs come to her during the night. She has learned to keep a sketchbook by her bed and is often up by 4 a.m. to make sketches that will turn into a necklace, bracelet, or some other sculptural piece. She is constantly experimenting and pushing the boundaries of silverwork by adding semi-precious stones, pearls, and gold accents to her creations. Jacquie derives great satisfaction from seeing her work exhibited in galleries, museums, and exhibitions. She delights in knowing that collectors from all over the world own her work. She has come a long way since her first $100 investment in silver and soldering tools. Jacquie encourages others to take classes and workshops to experiment in a creative medium. It’s hard work, but for her it brings the satisfaction of making a living from her art. Meet the Artist provides museum visitors the opportunity to speak with artists represented in the museum’s store and learn more about their artistic process, experiences, and interests. Guests can also choose from a greater selection of artwork than are normally available in the store. Complimentary food and drink are provided. Meet the Artist is held in the Fechin Studio on the second weekend of every month through October.