Moments from the making of the Historical Women of Taos mural

Last week,

the Historical Women of Taos mural was completed along the corner of Civic Plaza Drive and Cam De La Placita. Internationally recognized muralist Jenny Ustick spent over two weeks along with other painters and community volunteers to bring the public artwork to fruition, which was a collaborative effort between UNM–Taos and the Taos Arts Council.

Created with intention to celebrate Taos women, culture and diversity, the mural depicts the portraits of four women who played pivotal roles in Taos history: DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo, a Taos Pueblo and Diné contemporary 2D artist; María Rosa Villalpando, ancestral matriarch of several prominent Taos families and one of the historic women of the Santa Fe Trail; Cleofas Martinez Jaramillo, historic preservationist of Northern New Mexico’s Spanish culture; and Helene Wurlitzer, philanthropist who started a pivotal artist residency in Taos.