At the core of the Maker movement, are the desires to work with one’s hands to create and build. There’s nowhere more conducive to making than Taos, New Mexico. Toas is home to one of the oldest communities in the country; the hand-made Taos Pueblo, crafted from mud and baked in the sun. You can learn about native building arts here, carve ancient stone, or try your hand at intricate lapidary.
SAX Stone Carving
Founded in late 2001 by Mark Saxe, SAX Stone Carving workshop has its roots in Rinconada, New Mexico. Since then they’ve offered a learning environment with world-class instructors for all professionals and starters. They also provide carving stones, including marble, basalt, limestone, and serpentine, and carving tools coming from Italy, Germany, France, and Japan.
Taos School of Metalsmithing
Taos School of Metalsmithing has offered jewelry courses since 2002 in Taos. Led by Marilyn Nicholson, an internationally renowned jewelry designer, these courses provide a hands-on intensive in metal jewelry fabrication. Courses include jewelry design, stone setting, soldering and basic lapidary. Marilyn has taken the initiative to provide students from beginners to advanced-level one-on-one sessions to help them further their expertise. While the website has not been updated, in-person classes have resumed.
Taos Art School
TAOS art school provides art education opportunities to students to learn southwestern arts. They also offer art workshops, tours, painting, and art expeditions. The Director of T.A.S Ursula Beck is an Artist, Writer, and Philosopher who has aimed her career at designing and producing creative art experiences for students. These are some of the expeditions and art workshops they offer at the moment:
- Creativity
- Painting
- Native Arts
- Equine Arts
- Cultural Farm Visits
