Born in Las Vegas, N.M., Pola Lopez has become a leading Latina/Chicana artist to emerge from the U.S. Southwest. She draws from the region’s diverse cultural heritage to create paintings and murals filled with vibrant colors and powerful meaning. Lopez joins “Conversations Different” to discuss her path to becoming an artist, her involvement in the Chicano art movement, what it means to live her art, and her work empowering young people through teaching them art. 

Born in Las Vegas, N.M., Pola Lopez has become a leading Latina/Chicana artist to emerge from the U.S. Southwest. She draws from the region’s diverse cultural heritage to create paintings and murals filled with vibrant colors and powerful meaning. Lopez joins “Conversations Different” to discuss her path to becoming an artist, her involvement in the Chicano art movement, what it means to live her art, and her work empowering young people through teaching them art.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.

Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.
Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez

Pola Lopez on painting with meaning and living her art

Ashley M. Biggers is the magazines editor at TheSanta Fe New Mexican who leads the creation of multiple magazines year-round such as Legacy, Spanish Market and Bienvenidos. The New Mexican’s magazines provide a deeper dive into the culture, stories and traditions of Northern New Mexico otherwise not found on the daily news pages or in Pasatiempo. Special editions are also part of the magazine department’s work. This year's offerings include a commemorative magazine recognizing The New Mexican's 175 anniversary. Biggers joins this week’s episode of "Conversations Different" to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez the upcoming Winter Life, Feliz Navidad and 175th edition publications that will be available to readers this November.

Ashley M. Biggers is the magazines editor at The Santa Fe New Mexican who leads the creation of multiple magazines year-round such as Legacy, Spanish Market and Bienvenidos. The New Mexican’s magazines provide a deeper dive into the culture, stories and traditions of Northern New Mexico otherwise not found on the daily news pages or in Pasatiempo. Special editions are also part of the magazine department’s work. This year's offerings include a commemorative magazine recognizing The New Mexican's 175 anniversary. Biggers joins this week’s episode of "Conversations Different" to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez the upcoming Winter Life, Feliz Navidad and 175th edition publications that will be available to readers this November.

Magazines maestra Ashley M. Biggers dishes on 'The New Mexican's' winter offerings and its 175th anniversary magazine

A year after considering closing its doors, the small and aging congregation of Christ Lutheran Church in Santa Fe was energized by applying for and becoming the city of Santa Fe’s first-ever safe outdoor space for homeless people. The city bought Pallet shelters and paid for their construction, the church is the host site for the shelters, and day-to-day services and staffing is provided by The Life Link. Christ Lutheran Pastor Joene Herr and Pallet shelter resident Povi join “Conversations Different” to discuss how the pilot shelter program has been going since residents began moving in in April. Herr talks about the positive experience of hosting the Pallet shelter community and the need for more action to help the city address its homelessness issues, while Povi shares how finding stability and safety in the small Pallet shelter community has helped restore a piece of her life that was missing. 

A year after considering closing its doors, the small and aging congregation of Christ Lutheran Church in Santa Fe was energized by applying for and becoming the city of Santa Fe’s first-ever safe outdoor space for homeless people. The city bought Pallet shelters and paid for their construction, the church is the host site for the shelters, and day-to-day services and staffing is provided by The Life Link. Christ Lutheran Pastor Joene Herr and Pallet shelter resident Povi join “Conversations Different” to discuss how the pilot shelter program has been going since residents began moving in in April. Herr talks about the positive experience of hosting the Pallet shelter community and the need for more action to help the city address its homelessness issues, while Povi shares how finding stability and safety in the small Pallet shelter community has helped restore a piece of her life that was missing.

Pallet shelter pilot program finds welcoming home at Santa Fe church

J. Walter Sterling is the new president of St. John’s College's Santa Fe campus. He assumed the role in July of 2024 after previously serving at the institution as dean and on the faculty. Sterling joins "Conversations Different" to discuss St. John’s unique curriculum focused on reading and discussing the Great Books. He also talks about the school's efforts to recruit in state and how St. John's is looking to expand its community connections as it celebrates 60 years in Santa Fe.

J. Walter Sterling is the new president of St. John’s College's Santa Fe campus. He assumed the role in July of 2024 after previously serving at the institution as dean and on the faculty. Sterling joins "Conversations Different" to discuss St. John’s unique curriculum focused on reading and discussing the Great Books. He also talks about the school's efforts to recruit in state and how St. John's is looking to expand its community connections as it celebrates 60 years in Santa Fe.

Pola Lopez on painting with meaning and living her art

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