Christine and Thais Mather sharing family time in Casa Panchita.  The girls just look great in front of their Day of the Dead altar.

  Davis and our good friend and folk artist Francisco Santiago of La Union, Oaxaca Mexico.  Francisco was the very first wood carver of his village. 

  Our story starts some 35 years ago with a snarled looking wooden pig.  The pig was purchased at the home of the artist by Christine Mather. Christine came home with the infamous pig and showed Davis what she believed to be an amazing find.  She simply told her husband “I think we can sell these to people” Davis agreed.  Not much time later Davis’s gallery was opened in downtown Santa Fe.  The Mather’s believed they had discovered a kind of Picasso in the author of this strange wooden animal.

  The pig of course was created by the now famous Felipe Archuleta.  From a suggestion by an east coast art friend Davis was told that he and Christine were really onto something with Mr. Archuleta.  There friend encouraged them to pursue Archuleta’s work as much as possible.  Finding success in the gallery selling these unique folk art creations was also an indicator the idea was working for the Mathers.  Despite a bit of hesitation on the part of Felipe Archuleta he filled order after order from Davis with his newly found obsessive attitude for packing his new gallery with more and more pieces.  Eventually Felipe would find himself  receiving the “Govenor’s Award” of New Mexico and perhaps more fame than he ever wanted.  When Felipe was to receive his award and recognition for excellence.  Archuleta went on to thank some people, but he really wanted to thank Davis Mather for being a major pain in his life that he really did need for his own success.

  Today the gallery still stands at the corner of Lincoln and Marcy in downtown Santa Fe.   Felipe has long sense passed away leaving behind great folk art and stories for those who knew him well.  The Mathers still pursue folk art with the same passion as they did when Felipe Archuleta entered there lives.  Davis is as dedicated as ever to filling his gallery with amazing folk art.  In the gallery one will still find amazing folk pieces from Santa Fe and surrounding areas.  Davis and Christine also offer a wonderful folk art tour of Oaxaca, Mexico. In which they give there tour group more than a glimpse of a region that has become a second home to them. The tour is filled with there friends and artists whose work also fills the Santa Fe gallery.  If you ever find yourself in Santa Fe please take the time to visit us at the gallery.  You will still find Davis and all the folk art he and Christine have made their own with there love and passion for it.

  The famous first pig that stared it all. Felipe Archuleta pig 1975