Rio Grande Arts & Crafts festival springs into Expo New Mexico

Bring in the season with the 33rd annual Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Spring Fest, where over 150 artists will be gathered for a weekend-long showcase of original, handcrafted works.

From pastels to textiles, photographs to jewelry, and metals and sculptures, the show will highlight multiple art disciplines from creatives in New Mexico and beyond. The festival is consistently voted one of the best craft and art shows for artists and shoppers alike by Sunshine Artist magazine.

Angeli Coover, featured artist of the show, said it was an honor to be selected and have her floral paintings on display for all visitors to see.

Born and raised in Colorado before moving to Rio Rancho three years ago, Coover spends a majority of her time outside and said she always sought out the beauty of the outdoors, especially as a child.

“We were always exposed to all these wonderful colors and growing plants and things like that,” she said. “Constantly being around it is where I draw a lot of my inspiration from.”

Now, Coover focuses on nature and plant life, with a specialty in floral paintings, and said she enjoys an art subject that is everlasting.

Coover said she is able to bring the depths of colors she sees outside to life with pastels, which have a rich pigment she uses to create spring flowers that bloom across a canvas.

“Painting flowers is more than just capturing their beauty, it’s about creating a feeling, a sense of warmth and passion that transforms a space,” she said. “My art brings the essence of Italian culture into your home — the love of color, the joy of connection, and the celebration of life’s simple pleasures.”

Patrons at the festival can spend their weekend perusing hundreds of works of art and enjoying the local art scene.

“Attending a live art show is where artists share their newest work, and attending an art show they can purchase art before it is released to the public,” Coover said. “Shows like this also support local artists and our community.”

Coover said shoppers of all sorts will find something they love at the festival.

“Artwork is always such an amazing thing to have in your home,” Coover said. “Floral paintings are a forever and sentimental gift. You can always tell an original piece of art, and I like to think that no matter where you come from or what you’re looking for, someone in the show will definitely have something for you.”

Rio Grande Arts & Crafts festival springs into Expo New Mexico