The Cardona-Hine Gallery & Studios is nestled among trees and rocks just off the road in the mountain village of Truchas. Opened by the artists in 1988, the gallery at first exhibited a number of New Mexican and local artists; due to a lack of storage space, it now exhibits only the work of the owners and residents, Barbara McCauley and Alvaro Cardona-Hine, and sculptor, Marcia McEachron. It was the second contemporary art gallery to open along the High Road to Taos over 23 years ago.

The original property, bought in May of 1987,  consisted of an old adobe house, a double garage and a four-car garage. The artists needed to renovate the house totally in order to live in it. It wasn't easy, but it was a great adventure and, with the help of a team of young local men and good neighbors, they managed to move in within six months.

Then they made a crucial decision: they wanted to represent themselves to the public and bypass the gallery system that most artists follow. So they renovated the double garage into a two room gallery and the four-car garage became their studio space. Later they built a separate studio for Barbara and, in 2001 they added a gracious, large showroom in which to show their larger works. Over the years, they have planted more than 50 trees, and created lovely gardens, including a sculpture garden. When you visit the gallery, it is the artists themselves who will greet you.

Entering the space where artists live and work is an experience quite different from entering a commercial art gallery. There is a personal touch and an authenticity in the way the art is spoken of, and in the relationship between the viewer and the art.

"It is thrilling," Barbara says, "to meet the people who acquire our paintings. Even when someone comes in only to look, it is wonderful to get to see how a painting affects someone, to hear another's interpretation. We have met so many amazing and wonderul people; this happens all the time. We are very blessed to live this life."

Seasons Open: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Hours Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (winter) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (summer)

Fees: None

Two resident English bulldogs and one cat live on the premises, but within a fenced compound. Other dogs are welcome to come into the gallery on leash with their owners.