Though Art Smart has yet to compile monetary figures from this year's ARTFeast, an art event over multiple platforms whose proceeds benefit visual arts for Santa Fe kids, Managing Director Diane Dean says, "We did fantastic. Many of the events were sold out and there were a lot more people at all the events." As for the caliber of this year's Edible Art Tour (wherein approximately 30 galleries paired with local restaurants to offer a look and a taste of their respective wares), we have mixed reviews and arbitrary awards!Granted $35 is little to pay for a night of food that benefits kids. However, Edible Art Tour has been going on for many years now and people have come to expect certain things: namely art, food and booze.
As always, the art depends on the gallery and is entirely subjective. We'll leave those awards up to you.
The food varied greatly. While many restaurants seemingly phoned it in, some took the opportunity to showcase their culinary mettle. Though there were many worst examples, we'll focus on the best: Max's.
At Mark White Fine Art, Max's staged a trenchant trifecta, which began with a thoughtfully chosen (the server was aware of its provenance and the reason she served it) palate-cleansing white wine, moved on to a small portion of something savory (was it artichoke? paté?) and ended with a dessert finale: thin white chocolate balls that, with proper instruction, exploded in a flood of tangy passion fruit. This, other restaurants, is how the Edible Art Tour should be done.
Runners up for food: Il Piatto at Evoke Contemporary and Amaya at Hotel Santa Fe at Winterowd Fine Art.
There was a devastating drought of booze at this year's Edible Art Tour, with the downtown galleries almost completely dry. Canyon Road fared (poured?) a little better, but was host to one of the most infuriating experiences of the night. The wine server at Turner Carroll Gallery would not accept a New York driver's license because he did not recognize a non-laminated ID to be official. Apparently lamination is the pinnacle of a state's legitimacy. The next person in line had a Colorado ID, which the server also didn't recognize. When someone joked as to whether he recognized New Mexico IDs, that someone also did not get served. When the following person presented a California ID, the server started clearing the wine from the table and refused to serve anyone.
Liquor laws are incredibly restrictive here and blame unfairly falls on the server, not the one served. Maybe instead of instilling our servers with fear, we can install in them at least a minimal knowledge of the 50 states.
On another note, some galleries really got in the spirit and went above and beyond what's expected at the Edible Art Tour.
Festivity Favorites: GF Contemporary, which featured tinsel, decoration and a live band and Winterowd Fine Art with a circus performance.
Your article was scrumptious!