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Music & Art
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info@placitasarts.org
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The 2026-2027 Season Visual Artists - MUSIC TO MY EYES
“Music to My Eyes”. . . this saying referring to visual arts is somewhat
shrouded in mystery, and in recent years art works and musical
compositions have been titled ‘Music to My Eyes’. Willy Sucre, an original
violist with PAS, reminded us annually that the monthly visual arts exhibits
were, for him, “Music to My Eyes”.
This season there will be four two-month long exhibits, with a variety of
artists and media to delight the eyes. The visual art season will close in May
2027 with a fifth exhibit of art made by local children. There are links below
to artist bios and sample images; more artist information will be linked when
available.
Artists Exhibiting During September and October
Susan Allison Hatch - Mixed Media Fiber, Katie Thomas - Mixed Media, Lauren Deyo - Abstract Impressionist Painting, Molly Drury - Mixed Media & Origami, Mary Hofmann - Pottery, Susana Chavez - Mixed Media, Geri Verble - Jewelry, Allen Bourne - Photography, Karen Melody Shatar - Fused Glass
Artists Exhibiting During November and December
Joan Roberts Garcia - Oil & Oil Pastel Painting, Caroline LeBlanc - Mixed Media Glass & Ceramics, Colleen Gregoire - Oil Painting, Carol Allen - Wire-wrapped & Beaded Jewelry, John Allen - Photography, Mary Lou Skelton - Gourds, Linda Heath - Mixed Media Painting , Dianna Shomaker - Abstract Mixed Media
Artists Exhibiting During January and February
Laura Robbins - Mosaics, Barbara Marx, Jeri Burzin - Photography, Roger Evans - Mixed Media, Sarah Kushwara, Genie Gray, Thomas Fore, Lisa Chernoff, Barbara Endicott.
Artists Exhibiting During March and April
Lavon Maestas, Diane Orchard, Judith Roderick, Dan Badgley, Mary Altenberg, Karla Bakke, Gary Chaffin, Joseph Riggs
Young Artists Exhibiting During May
As young artists are chosen, we’ll provide more information and images.
Susan Allison-Hatch hails from Minnesota. Susan began her adult life as a teacher in Minnesota and
California. Eventually, she found herself back in school studying curriculum design and advised by a
painter who had found his way into education. A reverse of the path Susan would eventually follow. Her
path led to New Mexico and back to California where she studied to become a priest. In seminary she
discovered that words alone do not always do the job. That is when she turned to fiber art.
“I begin is silence--in observation, meditation, prayer and play. And then I dive into chaos--scraps of fabric
pinned to my board, paper scraps strewn across my counter, a jar of YES paste not far from my hand,
scissors and needles not far away.”
Katie Thomas grew up in Connecticut but moved to New
Mexico in 1977. She spent 30 years in corporate human
resources before moving to Taos and opening a fair trade
retail store in Taos called Moxie. That is where she began
exploring her interest in creating art. She moved to Placitas
in 2022 and now spends her time dedicated full time to
exploring new art mediums. Her art is available at Yucca Art
Gallery in Old Town and Moxie in Taos.
“When I heard what the theme was for this exhibit, I
immediately started looking for a guitar that I would be able
to embellish. I have wanted to do a guitar for some time and
this exhibit was the impetus I needed to pursue this piece.”
Lauren’s first creative expression occurred
when she was left in her uncle’s hands. He fell
asleep and she finger painted all the porcelain
in the bathroom. Since retiring as a teacher her
focus is on art, her “new career”. She has been
prompted to take oriental brush painting
classes, mixed media workshops and studio
work in Albuquerque. Contemporary painting in
acrylic and mixed media is her love along with
collage.
“Being creative involves experimentation.
Using mixed media in my work allows me many
options to experiment and explore. This keeps
me going. Using paint, paper and varnish in
many layers builds interest, texture and depth.”
Molly Drury is an origami artist who transforms simple paper into intricate creations, blending
patience and creativity to craft beautiful, delicate works that inspire and delight those who see
them.
“Origami is more than just paper folding; it is an artistic process that turns simple sheets into
intricate works of art. As an origami artist, I devote myself to transforming ordinary paper into
complex creations that captivate and inspire.”
Mary Hofmann grew up in the Midwest in a small college town where music and art were part of
her childhood. She was an art major in college and went on to get her master’s degree in art at
the height of Abstract Expressionism. She loves the joy of putting paint and color on paper and
organizing it. As time went on she married a potter and assisted him with his colors and glazing
and gradually pottery took over her life.
“After years of doing production pottery I now enjoy creating my own shapes and pieces. I
enjoy choosing designs and glazes to decorate my pieces and like to create things that are also
useful and functional.”
Susanna Chavez is a painter living and working in Corrales, NM. Susanna grew up in
Guadalajara. She studied art at universities in Guadalajara Mexico, Madrid Spain, Florence Italy
and, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her abstract style is expressed with free-flowing shapes using
bold and bright colors in acrylic and oil on canvas. She is inspired by normal every-day life
events. Seeing an x-ray of her little dog inspired the painting Big Heart.
“Color is a power which directly influences the soul. I follow my heart using my feelings to
guide me. My feelings are my subject matter and I only paint happy, using yellows, pinks,
greens and all the colors that remind me of Mexico.”
Geri Verble, a Placitas jewelry design artist,
specializes in tribal and ethnic jewelry.
Verble developed a passion for collecting
ethnic beads and pendants while traveling
with the Peace Corps. Bead collecting not
only became a passion for her, but a journey
into learning about the history of beads.
“I begin my design by choosing a bead or
pendant that I have collected from around
the world. Each ancient bead and ethnic
ornament tells a story and has a spiritual
energy that flows through each piece. That
energy guides me as I design.”
Over the past 15 years, Allen has developed numerous bodies of photographic work, both
representational and abstract, which include traditional panoramic landscapes, primarily of the
West, birds of the Sandia Foothills, abstractions of industrial decay, and a monochrome series,
The Planet Nearby, which features dramatic images of New Mexico’s Badlands.
“Through my lens I aim to explore and present viewers of my work with different perspectives--
both abstract and representational--on the natural and manmade world around them, that may
elude their eyes in the chaos of today’s world.”
Karen has found her creative passion in
the art glass medium. She combines
myriad of techniques, skill and imagination
in developing beautiful and expressive
works of art as well as fun and functional
ware. She is inspired by nature, by her love
of color and light and by her willingness to
think and do in out-of-the-box explorations
as well as out of her travels and stays
around the world.
“Exploring fused glass art has created a
passionate and exciting inner state that is
reflected in all that I create, from the simple
to the imaginative. Nature and the beauty
of the world around me inspires and
reflects in my art.”
Joan Roberts Garcia received a certificate in Painting
and Drawing from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine
Arts; an MFA in the same I from the University of
Washington. In addition to making art, she has been an
art educator, (with an EdM in Art Ed from Columbia
Teachers College), lecturer, and recently, curator. She
was also a single parent artist who never stopped
making her work. In the 1990s she and her two
children moved to NYC for her art and returned full
time in 2022.
“I am primarily a painter, but I also have worked and
exhibited sculpture, mixed media and photography. I
allow the subject to suggest the medium. Vegetal
forms painted at dusk are a favorite subject, and are
considered to be portraits.”
Caroline LeBlanc grew up in a web of needleworkers, seamstresses and skilled craftsmen. Her
formal studies in other arts started after her children were grown and she had retired as a nurse
and psychotherapist. She is a published haiku poet, an Army veteran and a military family
member.
“I am a multimedia artist who creates mosaics, collages, prints, paintings and sculptures.”
Colleen Zacharias Gregoire grew up in the
Midwest, and studied drawing and painting
privately before receiving her MFA in
painting from the University of Kansas,
where she began a life-long love for the
local landscape. Painting plein air, she
studied the change of seasons around the
Flint Hills of Kansas and the surrounding
farmland. Her work also focused on
architectural settings that reflect the
intimacies of daily life.
“My paintings are inspired by a sense of
'home', a place of respite and reflection,
defined by the house we live in or the land
around us. I present intimate settings with
a soft, vibrant palette.”
Carol took a wire wrapping class in Minneapolis about 15 years ago and has since enjoyed wire
wrapping a variety of beach finds and assorted gemstones, many of which she tumbles and
polishes. She compliments the wrapped pendants with beaded necklaces.
“For this 40th anniversary celebration I plan to wire wrap treble notes using sterling silver and
perhaps some copper wire to create a necklace pendant and earrings. For the beads I will use
ruby gemstones to signify the 40th year anniversary.”
John spent instructive time as a teenager in his uncle’s darkroom. As an adult he evolved to
shooting black & white photography using Deardorff field cameras, developing and printing his
own B & W film. John now focuses on digital images & is currently a member of the JPG -
Photography Group & the Albuquerque Enchanted Lens Camera Club.
“During a year-long recovery from a traumatic brain injury nearly fifty years ago, music became
therapeutic in healing and nourishing my brain. The audio and visual art forms of musical
instruments are an inspiration for creating photographic art.”
Mary Lou moved to PLacitas in 2009 and the
natural beauty here opened her mind and heart
to art. Her background is in healthcare and
teaching people how to tend to their bodies,
now she tends to hers by finding the peace,
beauty and opened spirit when she does
gourd art. Each piece is unique and she hopes
you too find beauty and peace in her work.
“Gourds are wood like and lend themselves to
carving, woodburning and ink dyes. Then the
magic happens as the gourds are transformed
into objects that please the eyes, and often
have a spiritual meanings and bring peace to
my world.”
Linda L. Heath was trained as a mathematician
(BA) and sociologist (MA), specializing in
computerized forecasting. She spent 25 years in
the information technology industry. Growing up
in and then living among various cultures, she
was forever searching for her life work. As a
hobby, she returned again and again to oil
painting and now as an early retiree, she is
focusing her passion on spending the rest of her
life immersed in the fascinating world of art.
“I am inspired by ancient native cultures, digital
images from NASA's deep space telescopes, and
the opening of Spaceport America in New
Mexico. My art reflects a spiritual pathway from
here to eternity led by local spiritual traditions.”
Dianna's art career began in 1952 with a linoleum-block print that won an art scholarship. There
were art courses and studio production wherever she was, from California to Texas, to
Germany, England, and Spain. Since 1973 New Mexico has been home, where she has found
superb and diverse art development. Dianna retired as a professor emerita from the University
of New Mexico in 2000, and currently shows in Placitas and in a variety of art competitions.
“My philosophy is that art should be magical for both the viewer and the artist. It should speak
to our capacity to wonder, to dream, and to delight in the mystery of its personal message.”
Contacts
Info@placitasarts.org
Website by Bhakti-Shakti Design Studio | © 2010-2026
The 2026-2027 Season Visual Artists -
MUSIC TO MY EYES
Artists Exhibiting During September and
October
Susan Allison Hatch Mixed Media Fiber, Katie Thomas - Mixed Media, Lauren Deyo Abstract Impressionist Painting, Molly Drury Mixed Media & Origami, Mary Hofmann - Pottery, Susana Chavez Mixed Media, Geri Verble - Jewelry, Allen Bourne - Photography, Karen Melody Shatar - GlassArtists Exhibiting During November and
December
Joan Roberts Oil & Oil Pastel, Carol LeBlanc Mixed Media Glass & Ceramics, Colleen Gregoire Oil Painting, Carol Allen Jewelry, John Allen Photography, Mary Lou Skelton - Gourds, Linda Heath Mixed Media Painting, Dianna Shomaker Abstract Mixed MediaArtists Exhibiting During January and
February
Laura Robbins - Mosaics, Barbara Marx, Jeri Burzin - Photography, Roger Evans - Mixed Media, Sarah Kushwara, Genie Gray, Thomas Fore, sandy Johnson, Barbara Endicott.Artists Exhibiting During March and
April
Lavon Maestas, Diane Orchard, Judith Roderick, Dan Badgley, Mary Altenberg, Karla Bakke, Gary Chaffin, Joseph Riggs
“Music to My Eyes”. . . this saying referring to visual arts is somewhat shrouded
in mystery, and in recent years art works and musical compositions have been
titled ‘Music to My Eyes’. Willy Sucre, an original violist with PAS, reminded us
annually that the monthly visual arts exhibits were, for him, “Music to My Eyes”.
This season there will be four two-month long exhibits, with a variety of artists
and media to delight the eyes. The visual art season will close in May 2027 with a
fifth exhibit of art made by local children. There are links below to artist bios and
sample images; more artist information will be linked when available.
Young Artists Exhibiting During
May
As young artists are chosen, we’ll provide more information and images.
Susan Allison-Hatch hails from Minnesota. Susan
began her adult life as a teacher in Minnesota and
California. Eventually, she found herself back in school
studying curriculum design and advised by a painter
who had found his way into education. A reverse of the
path Susan would eventually follow. Her path led to
New Mexico and back to California where she studied
to become a priest. In seminary she discovered that
words alone do not always do the job. That is when she
turned to fiber art.
“I begin is silence--in observation, meditation, prayer
and play. And then I dive into chaos--scraps of fabric
pinned to my board, paper scraps strewn across my
counter, a jar of YES paste not far from my hand,
scissors and needles not far away.”
Katie Thomas grew up in Connecticut but
moved to New Mexico in 1977. She spent 30
years in corporate human resources before
moving to Taos and opening a fair trade
retail store in Taos called Moxie. That is
where she began exploring her interest in
creating art. She moved to Placitas in 2022
and now spends her time dedicated full time
to exploring new art mediums. Her art is
available at Yucca Art Gallery in Old Town
and Moxie in Taos.
“When I heard what the theme was for this
exhibit, I immediately started looking for a
guitar that I would be able to embellish. I
have wanted to do a guitar for some time
and this exhibit was the impetus I needed to
pursue this piece.”
Lauren’s first creative expression occurred
when she was left in her uncle’s hands. He
fell asleep and she finger painted all the
porcelain in the bathroom. Since retiring as
a teacher her focus is on art, her “new
career”. She has been prompted to take
oriental brush painting classes, mixed media
workshops and studio work in Albuquerque.
Contemporary painting in acrylic and mixed
media is her love along with collage.
“Being creative involves experimentation.
Using mixed media in my work allows me
many options to experiment and explore.
This keeps me going. Using paint, paper and
varnish in many layers builds interest,
texture and depth.”
Molly Drury is an origami artist who transforms
simple paper into intricate creations, blending
patience and creativity to craft beautiful, delicate
works that inspire and delight those who see
them.
“Origami is more than just paper folding; it is an
artistic process that turns simple sheets into
intricate works of art. As an origami artist, I
devote myself to transforming ordinary paper
into complex creations that captivate and
inspire.”
Mary Hofmann grew up in the Midwest in a small
college town where music and art were part of
her childhood. She was an art major in college
and went on to get her master’s degree in art at
the height of Abstract Expressionism. She loves
the joy of putting paint and color on paper and
organizing it. As time went on she married a
potter and assisted him with his colors and
glazing and gradually pottery took over her life.
“After years of doing production pottery I now
enjoy creating my own shapes and pieces. I
enjoy choosing designs and glazes to decorate
my pieces and like to create things that are also
useful and functional.”
Susanna Chavez is a painter living and working
in Corrales, NM. Susanna grew up in
Guadalajara. She studied art at universities in
Guadalajara Mexico, Madrid Spain, Florence Italy
and, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her abstract
style is expressed with free-flowing shapes
using bold and bright colors in acrylic and oil on
canvas. She is inspired by normal every-day life
events. Seeing an x-ray of her little dog inspired
the painting Big Heart.
“Color is a power which directly influences the
soul. I follow my heart using my feelings to
guide me. My feelings are my subject matter and
I only paint happy, using yellows, pinks, greens
and all the colors that remind me of Mexico.”
Geri Verble, a Placitas jewelry design artist,
specializes in tribal and ethnic jewelry. Verble
developed a passion for collecting ethnic beads
and pendants while traveling with the Peace
Corps. Bead collecting not only became a
passion for her, but a journey into learning
about the history of beads.
“I begin my design by choosing a bead or
pendant that I have collected from around the
world. Each ancient bead and ethnic ornament
tells a story and has a spiritual energy that flows
through each piece. That energy guides me as I
design.”
Over the past 15 years, Allen has developed
numerous bodies of photographic work, both
representational and abstract, which include
traditional panoramic landscapes, primarily of the
West, birds of the Sandia Foothills, abstractions of
industrial decay, and a monochrome series, The
Planet Nearby, which features dramatic images of
New Mexico’s Badlands.
“Through my lens I aim to explore and present
viewers of my work with different perspectives--
both abstract and representational--on the natural
and manmade world around them, that may elude
their eyes in the chaos of today’s world.”
Joan Roberts Garcia received a certificate in Painting
and Drawing from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine
Arts; an MFA in the same I from the University of
Washington. In addition to making art, she has been
an art educator, (with an EdM in Art Ed from
Columbia Teachers College), lecturer, and recently,
curator. She was also a single parent artist who
never stopped making her work. In the 1990s she and
her two children moved to NYC for her art and
returned full time in 2022.
“I am primarily a painter, but I also have worked and
exhibited sculpture, mixed media and photography. I
allow the subject to suggest the medium. Vegetal
forms painted at dusk are a favorite subject, and are
considered to be portraits.”
Caroline LeBlanc grew up in a web of
needleworkers, seamstresses and skilled
craftsmen. Her formal studies in other arts
started after her children were grown and she
had retired as a nurse and psychotherapist. She
is a published haiku poet, an Army veteran and
a military family member.
“I am a multimedia artist who creates mosaics,
collages, prints, paintings and sculptures.”
Karen has found her creative passion in the art
glass medium. She combines myriad of
techniques, skill and imagination in developing
beautiful and expressive works of art as well as
fun and functional ware. She is inspired by nature,
by her love of color and light and by her
willingness to think and do in out-of-the-box
explorations as well as out of her travels and stays
around the world.
“Exploring fused glass art has created a
passionate and exciting inner state that is
reflected in all that I create, from the simple to the
imaginative. Nature and the beauty of the world
around me inspires and reflects in my art.”
Colleen Zacharias Gregoire grew up in the
Midwest, and studied drawing and painting
privately before receiving her MFA in painting
from the University of Kansas, where she began a
life-long love for the local landscape. Painting
plein air, she studied the change of seasons
around the Flint Hills of Kansas and the
surrounding farmland. Her work also focused on
architectural settings that reflect the intimacies of
daily life.
“My paintings are inspired by a sense of 'home', a
place of respite and reflection, defined by the
house we live in or the land around us. I present
intimate settings with a soft, vibrant palette.”
Carol took a wire wrapping class in
Minneapolis about 15 years ago and has since
enjoyed wire wrapping a variety of beach finds
and assorted gemstones, many of which she
tumbles and polishes. She compliments the
wrapped pendants with beaded necklaces.
“For this 40th anniversary celebration I plan to
wire wrap treble notes using sterling silver
and perhaps some copper wire to create a
necklace pendant and earrings. For the beads
I will use ruby gemstones to signify the 40th
year anniversary.”
John spent instructive time as a teenager in his
uncle’s darkroom. As an adult he evolved to
shooting black & white photography using
Deardorff field cameras, developing and printing
his own B & W film. John now focuses on digital
images & is currently a member of the JPG -
Photography Group & the Albuquerque
Enchanted Lens Camera Club.
“During a year-long recovery from a traumatic
brain injury nearly fifty years ago, music became
therapeutic in healing and nourishing my brain.
The audio and visual art forms of musical
instruments are an inspiration for creating
photographic art.”
Mary Lou moved to PLacitas in 2009 and the
natural beauty here opened her mind and heart to
art. Her background is in healthcare and teaching
people how to tend to their bodies, now she tends
to hers by finding the peace, beauty and opened
spirit when she does gourd art. Each piece is
unique and she hopes you too find beauty and
peace in her work.
“Gourds are wood like and lend themselves to
carving, woodburning and ink dyes. Then the
magic happens as the gourds are transformed into
objects that please the eyes, and often have a
spiritual meanings and bring peace to my world.”
Linda L. Heath was trained as a mathematician
(BA) and sociologist (MA), specializing in
computerized forecasting. She spent 25 years in
the information technology industry. Growing up
in and then living among various cultures, she
was forever searching for her life work. As a
hobby, she returned again and again to oil
painting and now as an early retiree, she is
focusing her passion on spending the rest of her
life immersed in the fascinating world of art.
“I am inspired by ancient native cultures, digital
images from NASA's deep space telescopes, and
the opening of Spaceport America in New Mexico.
My art reflects a spiritual pathway from here to
eternity led by local spiritual traditions.”
Dianna's art career began in 1952 with a linoleum-
block print that won an art scholarship. There
were art courses and studio production wherever
she was, from California to Texas, to Germany,
England, and Spain. Since 1973 New Mexico has
been home, where she has found superb and
diverse art development. Dianna retired as a
professor emerita from the University of New
Mexico in 2000, and currently shows in Placitas
and in a variety of art competitions.
“My philosophy is that art should be magical for
both the viewer and the artist. It should speak to
our capacity to wonder, to dream, and to delight
in the mystery of its personal message.”
