Melinda Baker
ARTsmart
New Mexico’s ornaments were designed and created by 1st through 9th grade artists participating through ARTsmart in Santa Fe. The students created colorful tin ornaments which were inspired by local New Mexico folk art. Some local artists who work with tin consider it to be “the noble metal” while others consider it “the poor man’s silver.” The tin is shaped, stamped, punched and cut into a wide variety of colorful and beautiful artwork. The ornaments that the students created include the New Mexico State Seal, a roadrunner, balloons, snowmen, Zias and Kokopelli. Students worked with art instructor Melinda Baker and First Gentleman of New Mexico Chuck Franco to create their tin ornaments. ARTsmart is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in Santa Fe committed to introducing young people to the power of art. ARTsmart brings life-changing visual arts experiences to more than 2700 youth ages five to eighteen across Northen New Mexico, with an emphasis on bringing arts-learning opportunities to underserved areas.