HISTORIC FECHIN HOUSE
"Gregorio the Fiddler" by Nicolai Fechin, Oil on canvas,
Courtesy of a private collection.
Masterful Expression: Nicolai Fechin's Portraiture
On View: April 12 through December 31, 2025, in the Fechin House
Nicolai Fechin is regarded as one of the most dynamic portraitists of the twentieth century. Trained at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg and influenced by Russian Impressionism, Fechin combined classical discipline with modern expressiveness. This exhibition highlights Fechin's remarkable ability to capture not only the physical likeness of his subjects but also their emotions and distinctive personalities.
A powerful tension between precision and spontaneity characterizes Fechin's portraits. He renders faces with meticulous care, often set against a flurry of loose, gestural strokes that dissolve into abstraction. His subjects are portrayed with a sensitivity that resists idealization. Instead, they emerge human, relatable, contemplative, proud, vulnerable, and complex.
At the heart of Fechin's portraiture is a search for connection. His ability to distill the intangible mood, memory, and spirit into his portraits reveals an artist deeply attuned to the people around him. Each work becomes a dialogue between artist and subject and, by extension, between portrait and viewer.
Listen to the music of Gregorio Ruiz, pictured above, here.
On View: April 12 through December 31, 2025, in the Fechin House
Nicolai Fechin is regarded as one of the most dynamic portraitists of the twentieth century. Trained at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg and influenced by Russian Impressionism, Fechin combined classical discipline with modern expressiveness. This exhibition highlights Fechin's remarkable ability to capture not only the physical likeness of his subjects but also their emotions and distinctive personalities.
A powerful tension between precision and spontaneity characterizes Fechin's portraits. He renders faces with meticulous care, often set against a flurry of loose, gestural strokes that dissolve into abstraction. His subjects are portrayed with a sensitivity that resists idealization. Instead, they emerge human, relatable, contemplative, proud, vulnerable, and complex.
At the heart of Fechin's portraiture is a search for connection. His ability to distill the intangible mood, memory, and spirit into his portraits reveals an artist deeply attuned to the people around him. Each work becomes a dialogue between artist and subject and, by extension, between portrait and viewer.
Listen to the music of Gregorio Ruiz, pictured above, here.
JANIS AND ROY COFFEE GALLERY
O.E. Berninghaus, "Taos Indians Threshing." Oil on canvas. Taos Art Museum's permanent collection. Gift of Janis and Roy Coffee.
Selections from the Janis and Roy Coffee Collection
On View: April 26 through January 11, 2026, in the Janis and Roy Coffee Gallery
2025 marks an incredible milestone for Janis and Roy Coffee: 65 years of enduring love and partnership, during which they have nurtured a passion for art that has transformed their lives. Their journey as art collectors spans nearly the entirety of their marriage, showcasing a deep commitment to each other and the creative spirit that inspires them.
Their connection to Taos runs deep. Roy's early visits to the area, influenced by his mother's upbringing near Tres Piedras, and Janis's treasured memories of Taos from her youth have woven a strong bond between the couple and this town. With its rich history and vibrant art scene, Taos became a natural haven for the Coffees.
What began as a focus on Texas art soon blossomed into a vibrant collection that reflects the essence of Taos and the Southwest. Over the years, their collection has flourished, much like the beautiful landscapes surrounding them. This exhibition features a stunning selection of the Coffees' most treasured and beloved works of art, drawn from the 150 pieces they generously donated to the Taos Art Museum. Their contribution has significantly enriched the breadth and scope of the Museum's collection, each piece telling a unique story and reflecting their shared journey as collectors.
From the foundational works of the Taos Society of Artists to the bold innovations of the Taos Moderns, the Coffee Collection offers a sweeping view of the creative evolution that defines Taos. Each piece reflects a moment of discovery, a shared vision, and a profound respect for the artistic legacy of this remarkable region. Together, they tell the story of two lives intertwined in love but also in a deep and abiding appreciation for art that continues to inspire.
Click here to watch a video of Janis and Roy discussing their collection and incredible donation to Taos Art Museum.
On View: April 26 through January 11, 2026, in the Janis and Roy Coffee Gallery
2025 marks an incredible milestone for Janis and Roy Coffee: 65 years of enduring love and partnership, during which they have nurtured a passion for art that has transformed their lives. Their journey as art collectors spans nearly the entirety of their marriage, showcasing a deep commitment to each other and the creative spirit that inspires them.
Their connection to Taos runs deep. Roy's early visits to the area, influenced by his mother's upbringing near Tres Piedras, and Janis's treasured memories of Taos from her youth have woven a strong bond between the couple and this town. With its rich history and vibrant art scene, Taos became a natural haven for the Coffees.
What began as a focus on Texas art soon blossomed into a vibrant collection that reflects the essence of Taos and the Southwest. Over the years, their collection has flourished, much like the beautiful landscapes surrounding them. This exhibition features a stunning selection of the Coffees' most treasured and beloved works of art, drawn from the 150 pieces they generously donated to the Taos Art Museum. Their contribution has significantly enriched the breadth and scope of the Museum's collection, each piece telling a unique story and reflecting their shared journey as collectors.
From the foundational works of the Taos Society of Artists to the bold innovations of the Taos Moderns, the Coffee Collection offers a sweeping view of the creative evolution that defines Taos. Each piece reflects a moment of discovery, a shared vision, and a profound respect for the artistic legacy of this remarkable region. Together, they tell the story of two lives intertwined in love but also in a deep and abiding appreciation for art that continues to inspire.
Click here to watch a video of Janis and Roy discussing their collection and incredible donation to Taos Art Museum.
HISTORIC FECHIN STUDIO
Keevan Donahue, "Still Life of a Horse and Rider II"
Keevan Donahue, Light and Shadow: A Study in Paint
On View: March 15 - May 4, 2025, in the Fechin Studio
One might call Donahue a virtuoso with oil paint. He began to develop his masterful skills at the age of twenty-one, teaching himself to paint. Donahue found himself drawn to the techniques of the old masters, such as Rembrandt, who is noted for his strong contrasts between dark and light, and found comparable inspiration in the work of contemporary artists David Leffel and Sherrie McGraw, who also employ the use of chiaroscuro. Donahue, following his passion, moved to Taos to be under the tutelage of the talented McGraw.
Donahue’s masterly work is a remarkable fit for exhibition in the Fechin Studio, as Nicolai Fechin was considered a modern ‘old master’ according to newspaper articles and reviews written during his time. Carrying on the disciplines of masters such as Fechin and Rembrandt, while developing his own voice and expression through the evolution of his technique, Donahue is quickly on his way to being recognized as a modern ‘old master’ himself. Read more here.
On View: March 15 - May 4, 2025, in the Fechin Studio
One might call Donahue a virtuoso with oil paint. He began to develop his masterful skills at the age of twenty-one, teaching himself to paint. Donahue found himself drawn to the techniques of the old masters, such as Rembrandt, who is noted for his strong contrasts between dark and light, and found comparable inspiration in the work of contemporary artists David Leffel and Sherrie McGraw, who also employ the use of chiaroscuro. Donahue, following his passion, moved to Taos to be under the tutelage of the talented McGraw.
Donahue’s masterly work is a remarkable fit for exhibition in the Fechin Studio, as Nicolai Fechin was considered a modern ‘old master’ according to newspaper articles and reviews written during his time. Carrying on the disciplines of masters such as Fechin and Rembrandt, while developing his own voice and expression through the evolution of his technique, Donahue is quickly on his way to being recognized as a modern ‘old master’ himself. Read more here.
Up Next in the Fechin Studio:
Izumi Yokoyama, Between Dreams
On View: May 17 - July 6, 2025
Exhibition Reception: Saturday, May 17, 1-3 p.m. RSVP
Izumi Yokoyama, Between Dreams
On View: May 17 - July 6, 2025
Exhibition Reception: Saturday, May 17, 1-3 p.m. RSVP
Interested in submitting a proposal to exhibit in the Fechin Studio? Learn more here!