About the Gallery

Rayo Del Alma, a gallery of Northern New Mexican art, opens with a mission: make collecting accessible.

Down a staircase, the space reveals itself as something different in the city different. This is Rayo Del Alma, the project of award-winning astrophotographer, arts professor, community advocate, and actor Diego Romero. Rayo Del Alma alternately means ray of the soul, lightning of the soul, or flash of the soul, and is inspired by nights spent photographing the skies, metaphorically and figuratively waiting for lightning to strike.

As an at least 13th generation Native New Mexican, connection to the land and culture infuses the way Romero goes about his art and his business. Through exploring his identity as Chicano and Genízaro, he noticed a lack of representation of his cultural background in the arts scene, and is committed to fostering a space for other underrepresented artists.

On the art collecting side of things, Romero knows how intimidating and mystifying it can be to collect art, and aims to make the process accessible for all. He loves to explain the process and inspiration behind every piece, and offers a variety of pieces that start at friendlier price points. Romero also hopes the space becomes a community connection space that feels welcoming. The gallery has begun to host classes, popups, and community events.

The handicraft and vintage sections of the store again reflect Diego’s commitment to locally focused products and crafts, and underrepresented artisans. The vintage collection reflects Romero’s interest in early vaquero culture, when the first cowboys were of Mexican, New Mexican, and Black descent, and the clothing reflected both the needs of working class people but also became a place for self expression. As this culture filtered into the general idea of what we think of the American West, it's important to remember the origins. Highlighting New Mexican, Chicano and Indigenous clothing and jewelry designers is a way of honoring and celebrating this cultural history.

The grand opening celebration featured Diego’s nightscapes, his paintings, and mixed media pieces, as well as art collections by other notable community figures including: Paloma Cruz, Dezbaa', Donnica Dominguez, Mateo Fernandez, Maggie Hanley, Oriana Lee, Marie Maez, Mateo Roybal, and jewelry by Theresa Garcia.