Experience Theater Different in the City Different
THE INAUGURAL FIRST ANNUAL SANTA FE ARTISTS' PROCESSION
One hundred years ago, Gustave Baumann thought Santa Fe needed a good laugh, so he - along with other Santa Fe artists - created a parade that would be like “a cup of coffee in the afternoon of a busy day”
Inspired by Baumann and to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial and the Santa Fe River Greenway Path, John Flax, Grottesco artistic director, has proposed a contemporary Santa Fe artists’ parade (we’re calling it a procession). Like Baumann’s parade, The Procession will be a community event where the creativity and imagination of Santa Fe’s diverse artists will be presented to surprise, engage, delight, and inspire all Santa Feans. Procession participants will be encouraged to use three dimensional art, music, performance, theatre, costumes, puppetry, and any and all other art forms to create a memorable and - even astonishing - experience for the entire Santa Fe community.
The Procession:
The chosen route of the procession is along the Santa Fe River Greenway Path between Romero Park and the Reunity Farm in the Village of Agua Fria. Artists selected to participate in the procession by the Procession Committee will create art that will travel on non-motorized “Art Carts” or wheeled contraptions. Other artists will perform on foot. Participating artists will receive a stipend to help cover the cost of materials and to honor their creativity.
The Audience:
The procession is a Santa Fe community event. All Santa Feans (and New Mexicans and visitors) are invited to attend, observe and enjoy. The procession will end at Reunity Farm, where food and additional performances will extend the joy of the event.
Date: October 10, 2026.
The project is a Santa Fe City/Santa Fe County collaboration partnering with numerous
arts and community organizations.
Procession Committee Members:
John Flax (Chair), Theater Grottesco
Nancy Sutor, Artist, County Arts Organizer
Janey Potts, Events Planner
Patrick Mehaffy, Artist
Brandee Caoba, Artist, Community Activist
Kate Kita, Performer, Administrator
Devon Ludlow, Artist
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
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Fill out this form if you’re an artist who would like to participate.
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Contact us if you’d like to volunteer. There are so many ways: fabricating (happening now!), crowd support, joining one of the teams pushing or pulling an art contraption.
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Contact us if you’re an individual who would like to donate to this project or an organization that would like sponsorship information.
The City of Santa Fe Arts and Culture Department would like this to become an annual event. Be sure you’re there for THE INAUGURAL FIRST YEAR!