Featured Artists
Macey Sigaty is unable to stop experimenting with new methods and forms. She has been a photographer almost as long as she can remember, possessing both a robust background in fine art photography as well as an AAS in the same. She has presented her photography in a multitude of forms, including 'zines and jewelry in addition to more traditional prints and books. Recovering from a close brush with death in 2021, she discovered and began to indulge an affinity for scanner art and dabble in watercolor. She is also an accomplished illustrator, print-maker, digital artist, and archivist. Most recently, she has taken to embroidery and gel-printing.
She comes by her talent honestly. Her grandfather was a professional artist who crafted meticulous pen-and-ink illustrations of famous landmarks, estates, cars, and more. Her father was a goldsmith, no less meticulous, and one of the most innovative of his generation. Little wonder, then, that she would find within herself an inexhaustible (if sometimes exhausting) well of creative energy!
Macey has exhibited her work in shows and galleries in Colorado and Florida. You can find her work online on one of her Instagrams:
@thesigatree for photography
@whatonearthink for illustration
@inyourfootprints for a special project in memory of her grandfather
You can also usually find her work in the physical realm at Spectra Art Space in Denver.
She, herself, traverses this big ole world as frequently and mysteriously as possible, but she can often be pinned down at The Church Project in Monte Vista, CO.
Lares Feliciano is an interdisciplinary artist and cultural worker based in Alamosa, CO. She uses animation, installation, and collage to create worlds where marginalized experiences are front and center, and all of time exists at once. Her work explores the in-between, layers of diaspora, and the complexity of memory.
She holds an M.F.A in Cinema Production from San Francisco State University and a B.A. in Film & American Studies from Smith College. She has completed residencies with RedLine Contemporary Art Center and Grand Canyon National Park and was a participant in the Colorado Creative Industries Change Leader Institute.
Feliciano’s films have screened all over the world, including San Francisco, Berlin, London, and Melbourne. Her visual art has exhibited at Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum (Denver), RedLine Contemporary Art Center (Denver), The Storeroom (Denver), Breck Create (Breckenridge) and Pochron Studios (Brooklyn).
Lares is passionate about the power of the arts to create change and strengthen communities. In 2020, she joined the RedLine staff as Art Grants Manager, where she supports artists and organizations across Colorado. Previously, Feliciano served as Program Director for Think 360 Arts for Learning and launched the Artist in Residence program at the Children’s Museum of Denver. Lares believes that everyone is an artist and is on a mission to support creativity in all. Lares and Madeleine were "Ships in the Night" as our paths have crossed multiple times, yet The Church Project is what has brought us together in the light.
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Memory Mirror: https://www.laresfeliciano.com/memorymirror
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IG: @lareslovesyou"
Madeleine (Maddy) Ahlborn is a resident of Monte Vista and has lived in three out of the six counties in the rural region of the SLV over the last ten years. She moved to the SLV in 2014 from Boston, MA where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from TUFTS University and The School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Ahlborn has occupied this building since July 2023 and is utilizing this “project” as a platform to perform how to leverage creativity in order to build positive change in her community and the greater SLV.
On Friday, the 13th of October, 2023, Ahlborn had her first closing on the building because the previous owner, Ron Douglas, agreed to owner finance until Ahlborn fully received the Rural Women-Led Business Loan via the Community Fund at 1st Southwest Bank, the final closing was January 9, 2024. Since then, Ahlborn has received a grant from the LOR Foundation, local in Monte Vista, to jump-start programs offered on Fridays 3pm - 6pm and Sundays 1pm - 4pm free to the community. Additionally, in April 2024, Ahlborn received a large grant for program support and capacity through Redline Contemporary Art Center in Denver via the Arts in Society grant for equipment for a recording studio that will contribute to the efforts of Non-profit partner Rural Journalism Institute of the San Luis Valley. Ahlborn currently works full-time as a lead grant writer for the local non-profit San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!) and previously as a journalist for the Alamosa Citizen, a local online news and media platform made by citizens for citizens. Ahlborn believes the first job of an artist is observation, and she has spent the last ten years observing various communities, working with them, and serving this region as an artist through various mediums. The Church Project aims to provide the space and freedom for all people to unlock their creative potential.
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@madeleine.r.ahlborn
https://maddyahlborn.wixsite.com/fineart
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Bothe Kretsinger "r a b b i t r o a d" is a house painter by day, aspiring mad scientist by night. Grew up just North of Alamosa and moved back recently with my wife and two cats. Our kid is college bound and is a great roadie when they visit and we're throwing a rave or death metal show at our house in the middle of nowhere/everywhere.
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Follow my artist page
'r a b b i t r o a d' on Facebook, and my DIY show promotion page
'Haunted Highway' On Facebook.
Also get to know me at @Bothenator on Instagram
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WhaDubber (aka Matt Hardesty) is multi-instrumentalist, live loop improvisationalist and AV cart geek using Logic Pro for accessible musical exploration, education, collaboration and production.
@whadubber
Tayler Kriss is a science educator in Center who makes electronic dance music. Professionally known as Taylor Chris, originally from Kansas. I make breakbeat and dubstep compositions, characterized by ambient sounds, fast-paced melodies, and a unique drum style.
https://www.proxinizedrebirth.com/music
@taylerkriss
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Joseph (Joe) Simic creates electronic music and various poems. Loves going on adventures, and completed his Americorps service term in Monte Vista in July, 2024.
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Kevin Hernandez, founder of the :L8GACY Project, is a multifaceted audio/visual artist from Denver, Colorado, now residing in the picturesque San Luis Valley. As a singer, guitarist, audio producer, photographer, and cinematographer, Kevin blends his diverse talents to create immersive artistic experiences. His work captures the essence of his journey, weaving together rich soundscapes and striking visuals that leave a lasting impression.
You can find his work at l8gacy.com or on Instagram at @l8gacyproject or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/l8gacy
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Jean Alger grew up in the Pacific Northwest where saltwater and coffee infused her veins, mountains embraced her heart, and cloudy skies shielded her from the sun.
She spent fourteen years in Oklahoma, where she studied English. She earned an MA in British Renaissance literature, and a PhD in American Literature and Rhetoric. ShJean Alger grew up in the Pacific Northwest where saltwater and coffee infused her veins, mountains embraced her heart, and cloudy skies shielded her from the sun.
She spent fourteen years in Oklahoma, where she studied English. She earned an MA in British Renaissance literature, and a PhD in American Literature and Rhetoric. She wrote poetry and fiction during this time, but kept it mostly to herself.
In 2017, Jean came to the San Luis Valley to teach for Trinidad State College. She continued to write poetry, and started working on a memoir. In 2022, she started Ink and Vein Writing and Mindfulness Services, and in 2023, after teaching college-level writing for 15 years, she left academia to pursue a more creative and self-determined life.
She now teaches yoga, works part time at the Narrow Gauge Book Cooperative, and offers writing workshops and one-on-one coaching and editing. Someday, she’ll finish her book.
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Sarah Shapard grew up in Aurora, Colorado. After attending DePauw University in Indiana, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, she returned to Colorado and moved to Monte Vista to experience a slower pace of life and a more close-knit community.
Sarah is a multi-disciplinary artist with interests in photography, graphic design, paper crafting, jewelry making, and more! She runs a small business called SStwins Designs with her identical twin sister. She’s vended at a variety of events including anime conventions and is excited to keep growing.
Sarah is The Church Project’s first employee! She works as the Assistant Events Coordinator. You’ll see her at all of The Church Project’s events ready to offer assistance to all attendees. She is delighted to have this opportunity to help residents across the San Luis Valley discover their artistic potential.