ventana showcatalog 2020 flipbook - Catalog - Page 2
Looking forward...
alleries come and go, with five years being a
benchmark for success. Ventana Fine Art is now entering
its 37th year as an established Santa Fe gallery representing
the leading artists of the 21st century.
Founded by Connie Axton in 1983, Ventana began as a 600-square-foot space
in the historic Inn at Loretto. From that early focus on prints and posters, Ventana
added original paintings, sculpture, and graphics and went through three
physical expansions. “I didn’t know a lot about owning a gallery, but I made it
a point to learn as we grew,” admits Connie, who assembled a list of artists
known for excellence and authenticity, including John Nieto, Doug Dawson,
Albert Handell, and John Axton.
Success, then as now, was measured mutually: The gallery’s rise in prominence
followed the ascent of its artists into the top tiers of contemporary American art.
Success also led to needing more space, as well as adequate outdoor areas
to showcase life size and monumental sculptures. When a 1906 red-brick
schoolhouse at 400 Canyon Road became available, Connie leased it in 1996.
Now listed on state and city historical registries, the interior and exterior grounds
of the former schoolhouse were renovated into a bright, inviting venue where
collectors learn about world-class art. The transformation prompted the arts
writer of The New York Times Sunday supplement to declare that Ventana is a
“Gallery to Watch.”
Today, Ventana Fine Art represents approximately thirty artists and draws thousands
of art appreciators, many of whom have become friends and collectors. Over