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

Political conflict between the United States and Venezuela has been an issue for quite some time but within the past year, tensions have been especially high.  

What started off as U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean that were alleged to be transporting drugs transpired into a military operation months later to capture and jail Venezuelan President Nicholás Maduro on narcoterrorism charges. The capture of Maduro came as a surprise to many, especially for retired foreign diplomat Brian Naranjo.  

Naranjo, who served in the U.S. Department of State and at embassies in Venezuela, Canada and Mexico, said he was “utterly horrified” to see Maduro’s capture on the news and warned Maduro’s succesor may usher in his same radical agenda. 

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Naranjo to discuss his views on the U.S.-Venezuela conflicts ahead of his talk at the World Affairs Forum in Santa Fe that runs April 30–May 1. He shares what the conflicts have meant to him as a former official who has experience dealing with these types of relations.  

In the episode, Naranjo also talks about his ties to Northern New Mexico and how his grandfather Emilio Naranjo, known as one of the last political patrónes, inspired him to pursue a life of public service. 

Political conflict between the United States and Venezuela&nbsp;has&nbsp;been an issue for quite some time&nbsp;but within the past year,&nbsp;tensions have&nbsp;been&nbsp;especially&nbsp;high.&nbsp;&nbsp;
What started off as U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean that were alleged to be transporting drugs transpired into a military operation months later to capture and jail Venezuelan President Nichol&aacute;s Maduro on narcoterrorism charges. The capture of Maduro came as a surprise to many, especially for retired foreign diplomat Brian Naranjo.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Naranjo, who served in the U.S. Department of State and at embassies in Venezuela, Canada and Mexico, said he was &ldquo;utterly horrified&rdquo; to see Maduro&rsquo;s capture on the news and warned Maduro&rsquo;s succesor may usher in his same radical agenda.&nbsp;
On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Naranjo to discuss his views on the U.S.-Venezuela conflicts ahead of his talk at the World Affairs Forum in Santa Fe that runs April 30&ndash;May 1. He shares what the conflicts have meant to him as a former official who has experience dealing with these types of relations.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Naranjo also talks about his ties to Northern New Mexico and how his grandfather Emilio Naranjo, known as one of the last political patr&oacute;nes, inspired him to&nbsp;pursue&nbsp;a&nbsp;life of public service.&nbsp;

Former U.S. diplomat Brian Naranjo speaks on U.S.-Venezuela conflicts ahead of Santa Fe talk 

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by New Mexico Public Education Secretary Mariana Padilla.  

Secretary Padilla joins the podcast to discuss the state’s free summer reading program and how it has correlated to literacy improvements among children — a problem area New Mexico has struggled with for years. Padilla says the initiative is part of a larger goal, championed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, to get kids reading at a proficient level at an early age, so they are set up for future academic success. And this year, free math tutoring is in the works for students as well.  

In the episode, Padilla also shares how parents can best support their kids at home and why keeping them engaged during summer months matters when back-to-school time rolls around in the fall.  

To learn more or register for the free summer reading program, visit literacy.nm.gov

On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by New Mexico Public Education Secretary Mariana Padilla.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Secretary Padilla joins the podcast to discuss the state&rsquo;s free summer reading program and how it has correlated to literacy improvements among children &mdash; a problem area New Mexico has struggled with for years. Padilla says the initiative is part of a larger goal, championed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, to get kids reading at a proficient level at an early age, so they are set up for future academic success. And this year, free math tutoring is in the works for students as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Padilla also shares how parents can best support their kids at home and why keeping them engaged during summer months matters when back-to-school time rolls around in the fall.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To learn more&nbsp;or register for&nbsp;the free summer&nbsp;reading&nbsp;program, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.literacy.nm.gov/">literacy.nm.gov</a>

New Mexico PED secretary talks free summer reading program, child literacy gains 

The downtown public library building in Santa Fe could undergo renovations in the coming years, helping the space meet the modern-day needs of Santa Feans.   

The Pueblo-Spanish style building on Washington Ave., which once housed municipal offices and a fire station, has seen little updating since the library moved into the building in 1986. The city’s Library Division Director Margaret Neill says improvements are long overdue and believes preplanning efforts could get the project moving. 

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Neill to talk about the community feedback process the library is conducting for future building improvements and shares what she’s learned from the public so far.  

In the episode, Inez and Neill also discuss some of the programs and services the library system has to offer and why taking advantage of them is worthwhile.  

If you have suggestions or comments that you want considered for the downtown library project, email them to library@santafenm.gov or call 505-955-6786. 

The downtown public library building in Santa Fe could undergo renovations in the coming years, helping the space meet the modern-day needs of Santa Feans.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Pueblo-Spanish style building on Washington Ave., which once housed municipal offices and a fire station, has seen little updating since the library moved into the building in 1986. The city&rsquo;s Library Division Director Margaret Neill says improvements are long overdue and believes preplanning efforts could get the project moving.&nbsp;
On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Neill to talk about the community feedback process the library is conducting for future building improvements and shares what she&rsquo;s learned from the public so far.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In&nbsp;the episode,&nbsp;Inez and Neill also discuss some of the programs and services the library system has&nbsp;to offer&nbsp;and why taking advantage of them&nbsp;is&nbsp;worthwhile.&nbsp;&nbsp;
If you have&nbsp;suggestions&nbsp;or comments&nbsp;that you want&nbsp;considered&nbsp;for the&nbsp;downtown&nbsp;library&nbsp;project,&nbsp;email&nbsp;them to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:library@santafenm.gov">library@santafenm.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 505-955-6786.&nbsp;

Pola Lopez on painting with meaning and living her art

In 1 playlist(s)

Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips