Finding Common Bonds at 2009 Indian Market in Santa Fe

There are many reasons why people call New Mexico “The Land of Enchantment.” Just look around you and you can’t help but be impressed by the geography and natural beauty. Every time I head home towards the east in Albuquerque, I am moved by the grandeur of the Sandia Mountains. Driving from the west to the east at night along the Paseo del norte is one of my favorite pleasures because you can see the twinkling of the lights all the way up to where residential lines end and reservation land begins. Even when I feel unsettled or grumpy, those mountains bring me back to a centered peaceful place in my mind.

New Mexico also enchants people from around the World with its rich cultures and traditions. Perhaps one of the state’s most enduring traditions is the annual Indian Market that takes place on the Plaza in Santa Fe every August. The event brings together approximately 100,000 collectors and 1200 artists from 100 tribes, making it the World’s largest and most prestigious Native American arts show. It’s basically the Broadway Flea Market or the Super Bowl of Native American arts, which is why I was thrilled to be able to attend Indian Market for the first time this year.

My wonderful new friend Cypriana Toledo, a potter from the Jemez Pueblo, who creates pottery in the old style, using red clay and bright acrylics, met me at the Market during the early morning set-up on the Plaza. The night before, on the phone, she had mentioned that she wanted me to meet some of her artist friends. I thought to myself “That would be very nice.” But, when she made the rounds with me, and I had the opportunity to get to know the likes of well known potters such as Maxine Toya, Fannie Loretto, Kathleen Wall, Alfreda Fragua, and more, I felt like a Hollywood celebrity gawker. I’m still in a dream-like state and feel truly honored to have been personally introduced to them all and to be able to call them friends.



As a mask artist, it was particularly thrilling to spend some time sitting on the sidelines with Fannie Loretto, whose clay Koshari faces have renown throughout the Southwest and beyond. As I listened to her describe how she creates these wonderful pieces, I was reminded of my own creative process. As a matter of fact, in speaking with all of the artists with whom I had the pleasure of connecting, a common theme kept recurring in conversation—that of the clay talking to them and telling the artists what it wants to become. It was so inspiring to find a common bond with all of these ladies, who are so completely in touch with something greater than themselves, and have channeled those spiritual connections to bring the world such spectacularly beautiful objects made with the highest level of precision.

A couple of months ago, I was whole-heartedly moved to tears by the work of Kathleen Wall at the Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. Wall, who is the daughter of Fannie Loretto, took time away from selling her incredible clay sculptures to talk to me about her work and the emotional journey of putting the Albuquerque exhibition together.



Jemez potter, Alfreda Fragua, who is Fannie Loretto's cousin, was a delight to hang out with. Her stone polishing is flawless, and I love the fact that, while she could command considerably higher prices for her work, she'd prefer to make sure that her art is affordable, so that all people can enjoy Native arts. What a beautiful soul she is!

I really appreciated getting to chat with Rebecca Lucario of Acoma Pueblo. She and her family have such a rich tradition of making pottery, and she was kind enough to talk about her own creative process. I look forward to seeing her again at the Acoma feast, which will take place on September 2.

Of course, it was a pleasure to see Joyce Ortiz again. I first met her at this summer’s Cochiti feast, and she is such a thoughtful artist and one of the loveliest people I've ever met. The sister of Virgil, and daughter of Seferina and Guadalupe Ortiz, Joyce was kind enough to talk on camera with me about her work as well.

Speaking of lovely, I had the honor of interviewing master Santa Clara Potter Jody Naranjo. I’ve seen her work in publications, but never up-close. It was a pleasure having the opportunity to handle her pieces and admire her stunning stone polishing work in person. Jody spoke to me in-depth about how she creates her magnificent works in clay.



In addition to all of the potters, including the very charming Margaret Garcia of Acoma, who made me fall in love with her colorful storytellers, I had the chance to meet Zuni carver Alan Lewis, who makes amazing Cottonwood corn maidens and sculptures. A major highlight was visiting with Yellowman, who is, perhaps, my favorite Native American painter.

Later in the day, as we sat in the shade of the Plaza confiding in one another, Cypriana, or “Pana” as she is known by many, told me she knew that “this Indian Market was going to be special.” Indeed, it was Pana, and I was honored to be a part of it! To all the artists who agreed to be part of my Indian Market video documentary, my humble thanks.

"Back to the 80s" is Quintessential High School Flashback Musical

Just when you thought you had left the 80s behind, a new production of the high school flashback "Back to the 80s: The Totally Awesome Musical" hits the boards at Albuquerque's Adobe Theater. The show, which opened on August 14 and features such memorable hits as "Walkin' on Sunshine," "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," and "Material Girl," chronicles the senior year of Corey Palmer, a loveable nice guy, who seems to finish last when it comes to high school love.

And, just when I thought I had left my high school days in the Southwest behind, I find myself returning to the region from New York City twenty-one years later to play adult "Corey," the guy who takes the audience on the journey into his past, which is full of exploits that would eventually help him get the girl he loves and get a date for the school prom. With the 80s fresh in my mind, this performance experience has been a wonderful blast from the past.

"Back to the 80s" is the universal American 1980s high school story, full of familiar archetypes--the cool guys, the popular girls, the class geek, and both nerdy and hot teachers at the helm of the fictitious William Ocean High School. "Back to the 80s" played to nearly sold out audiences its opening weekend and tickets are expected to go quickly for the next three weekends. "Back to the 80s: The Totally Awesome Musical" runs through September 6. Visit www.adobetheater.org for ticket information.

"Sometimes I Wonder..." Where the Heck Creativity Has Gone?

(This is an encore post of Uncle Paulie's World since it seems very timely!)

Okay...NOW I know that the world is really ending--at least the creative world as we've known it! Earlier today, I had the misfortune of seeing a copy of the press kit for the new FAME movie. Have you heard about this? Are they serious? A remake of FAME? How is that possible? I don't even want to hear that Irene Cara is appearing in the new movie. I want to remember her how she was. What else could they possibly tell us about these characters? I want to continue to fantasize about the paths they took without having someone shove contrived crap down my throat, and I DON'T want to see the whole "next generation" of fame performers because that type of thing has been run into the ground. Shhh! Did you hear that? It's the sound of "dull" and "uninteresting" coming out to do a tapdance! How can a filmmaker be so bold as to think that he or she could recreate any of the characters, storylines or the New York City that many of us remember--the gritty New York. It was the Pre-Disney New York, when you could see a prostitute pee in a cup in Times Square (True story! Me, my classmates and the Milford Plaza. The year was 1986 and I was 16 and living in Texas. I had NEVER seen such a thing in my life.).

Not only did seeing the prostitute pee in that cup change my life, but so did FAME. I've never been so moved by a film in my life. I didn't know it at the time, but I was able to see elements of my future self up there on the screen. I saw myself in so many of those characters. Back then, my closeted homo-ness in my suburban Texas world, filled with my OCD need to have the latest Broadway cast album and sing show tunes all the time, as well as my insistence that I, too, would "live forever," would all be validated by this film. What kid with talent didn't want to be up on top of one of those cabs hoofing away to the beat? I didn't even like to dance for Heaven's sake!

When I was in high school, I went so far as to to write a letter to Anne Meara (Ben Stiller's mother, for those of you who are too young to remember) to let her know how much her performance of Sherwood meant to me. I still have the autographed picture that she sent me along with a sweet note. Imagine the irony, when at age 32, I ended up in the same benefit concert with her and her husband, Jerry Stiller of Seinfeld fame, at NYC's Off-Broadway John Houseman Theatre. Stuff like that in the Universe is cyclical and beautiful. FAME remakes are not!

Giancarlo Esposito Teaches Life Lessons at Albuquerque Film Festival

(Photo Source: Entertainment Exclusives)

"We are living in creation," actor and director, Giancarlo Esposito, told a 100-member audience today as part of an "actors' workshop" that he did in conjunction with the Albuquerque Film Festival.

These days, it's rare that I make any commentary on spirituality or express my thoughts on how people should live their lives on Uncle Paulie's World, since they are only one man's opinion, but today, I had to share!

Esposito went on to say that if we are not living in truth, we are not living, which is so simple--and profound--and so many of us have made the choice to not live in our truths. The truth is that we create our own truth. Whatever thoughts we have are manifested in our lives. So, "Be careful what you wish for" was basically the jist of his admonishment to the intimate crowd, which consisted of actors, directors, producers, technical people and others.

The event, which took place at Albuquerque's Cell Theatre, was ambiguously titled a "workshop," but what it really ended up being was two hours of self-introspection and group communion of people who share varied, but related goals. It started out with deep breathing and meditation, and then a request that each one of us make a personal introduction of ourselves to the rest of the group(including the photographers and camera guy!). The "experience" as I have chosen to call it, since I went in with no expectations and an open mind, culminated with Esposito imparting knowledge that, as he said (and I'm paraphrasing here), most of us already know. It was merely a time for participant and keynote speaker to remind one another of that fact. Essentially what we learned is that we all lie, to ourselves and one another, and that we hate to be out of control, BUT to live fully, we must all give up that control. I like that!

In the last 5 months, I have learned to give up some control, and not worry about what the "picture" of my life seems to depict. It has been an interesting growth process, being laid off from a 3-year job that I, for the most part, liked, picking up and moving to a new city for both a person and the speculation of an exciting and fresh life. Along the road, hardly a moment went by when I didn't force myself to be conscious of the necessity for keeping the eye on the prize and the importance of not letting the small things get in my way. Esposito talked today about learning to trust yourself when living your life. It is easy for people, especially creatives, to say to others, "What should I do?", "Was that okay?", or "Take care of me!" Through my entire transition into my new environs, I have been learning to trust myself and my relationship that I have with God (You may have another relationship with a higher power, and I make no judgement on that, as long as you have a spiritual relationship with something or someone.) After all, someone said today, "No man is an island," and as humans, we have a symbiotic relationship with one another. Esposito said that to really live, we must serve each other and life is really celebrating that we don't have to go through it alone! Again, I love that!

Trusting in myself and my relationship with that higher spiritual power has brought me two leading roles in two shows in the last 4 months, and since last night's opening of the gallery where my art is currently hanging, I have sold three pieces! Things are also beginning to fall in place for me socially and financially, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to counteract all the doubt that I have felt my entire life. If this is all happening for me, one jot in the Universe, it must be so that a shift in the collective thought is happening in the World, and all is moving towards a state of bliss, much like the one that we vaguely remember. The time is now to trust in ourselves and no one else...and, of course, that higher power that helps us remain in control of what we create in our lives. (Stage Direction:And Uncle Paulie steps down from his soapbox.)

Thank you so much, Mr. Giancarlo Esposito, for the life-altering experience. You are one wise man!

Desert Intarsia Hosts Grand Opening as Part of Downtown ArtsCrawl

Whatcha doin' this Friday, August 7? Wanna go out? Let's go to the Grand Opening of Desert Intarsia Gallery during downtown Albuquerque's ArtsCrawl.

Desert Intarsia, the newest gallery on Gold Avenue, Albuquerque's up-and-coming arts district. Gold Avenue is quickly becoming the place for cool and funky art in the Duke City.

As a matter of fact, Desert Intarsia recently relocated to Gold Avenue from Old Town at the recommendation of Albuquerque's Downtown Action Team. According to gallery owners Brian and Stacey Maggard, local shoppers and businesspeople in the area have responded very well to the variety of art that Desert Intarsia offers, including intarsia jewelry by Brian, who is, himself, a nationally recognized jewlery maker. Brian is one of only eight people in the U.S. creating jewelry using this 16th Century lapidary style. People really seem to love the new gallery space, which is located at 317 Gold Avenue next door to the Atomic Cantina.

I recently caught up with Desert Intarsia Gallery co-owner Stacey Maggard to talk about the gallery's new digs. Check out the interview, and be sure to attend Desert Intarsia's Grand Opening from 4 p.m.- 8 p.m. on August 7!