The Longworth Gallery — Attraction in Santa Fe

Stay away from this place if you don’t want to be insulted by the gallery staff. We were enjoying the spirit of Canyon road until we stepped into the Longworth gallery, where a rude bitter woman didn’t think twice to spoil our day for making an honest mistake. We got to Longworth after visiting about 20 galleries. My husband is 75 and has Parkinson’s, it is not easy for us to get around. We were tired. We did not notice the sign that no photos were allowed. I took shots of two paintings in the gallery. When the woman told me to delete the pictures, I immediately did so and apologized. I then told her that I stopped asking permissions for photographs, because every time I did I was getting “of course!” as an answer. It wasn’t meant to be a valid excuse, but I thought this would explain my actions and put an end to this embarrassing episode. I was wrong. The woman’s response was “because they weren’t famous artists”. I guess she doesn’t have much respect for other galleries on Canyon road and their artists. And then she just wouldn’t stop talking, short of shouting at me; it came to the point when she was lecturing me about violating the copyright law and how this was a federal offence… she was treating me like I was a career criminal! This was very confusing, you don’t see people like this very often. Even after I mentioned to her that she could have been a bit nicer about the whole situation, she continued talking in a rude and condescending tone until I just put back the gallery flyer and we left. As we were leaving, I told her that every situation, no matter how bad it is, can be handled in a number of ways, depending on what kind of a person you are, and she didn’t seem to be a very nice person. It didn’t make any impression, I guess she heard this one before. I wouldn’t complain if she asked us to leave for violating the gallery’s rules, but the way she behaved is simply unacceptable among civilized people. Not only she left a bad taste in my mouth, but she didn’t do any favors to the artists she represents. Who wants to have a piece of art that will always remind you of a bad-mannered art seller who only expects the worst from people. I was obviously not the first visitor who did not see her sign, and I certainly will not be the last. And she will continue putting people down, just because she can’t help it. What a disgrace for the...

I’d like to warn other Black people and those who identify as anti-racist planning to visit this space. My partner and I visited this gallery as a first stop on Canyon Road. When we entered the space, we were greeted warmly, however, there was something over-compensating about the personality of person overseeing the space. I usually ask how people are doing, and that response was the first flag. She said something to the effect of being marvelous and her husband knowing when she wasn’t happy. As I was browsing and taking it all in, I came across a cool and interestingly designed kaleidoscope. I thought other people in my life have to see this. As most people in the smart phone age do, I whipped out my phone. Also, there were people outside snapping pics. The overseer, with an aggressive judgmental tone spews out “ No pictures, that’s theft, there’s a big sign.” As a result of this exhibit of control and dominance, and not to mention, the implication of stealing. Startled, I respond calmly, “I didn’t see the sign.” She then states, quite snarky, “delete.” At this point my awareness is raised and the condescension is thick. My partner walks in, who is also a black woman, is approached and is aggressively told, “ since you have your cell phone out, maybe you didn’t see the sign too.” My partner respond, “I saw the sign, I’m taking notes.” I also respond, “Actually we’re two different people.” Instinctively, I was completely turned off by this whole experience. More importantly, this was a familiar feeling, and a clear example of a person behaving with racial bias. I wonder if we were white would she have spoken to us so aggressively, so accusatory, so careless with her anger. Would she have felt the need to imply I was stealing, and would she had assumed that me and my partner were the same person having the same experience. I. Think. Not. Overall, this experience filled my belly with rage, and it colored my whole experience of the art in that space, which now includes interpersonal racism. I know she could have done better, taken more breathes before she spoke, been more conscious of her impact as a white woman needing...

The Longworth Gallery is the most unique art gallery I have ever experienced. The extraordinary gallery space and its central courtyard are works of art in themselves. After being greeted by the lovely, gracious and incredibly knowledgeable gallery owner, one is exposed to an astonishing art extravaganza called "Metaphorical Realism." Around every corner there is something new that inspires wonder, thought, introspection and imagination. The offerings include two dimensional art, sculpture, jewelry, furniture, kaleidescopes, hand painted silk lighted sculptures and wall sconces and each of these different mediums express the gallery's vision of Metaphorical Realism. Although, to my mind, sometimes what I experience there is...