TCA Exhibits 

The Collaborators

Paintings by Joseph L. Concha and Peter Merscher

April 30 – June 14

Opening Reception: THU, April 30, 4-6pm 

Free & open to the public

Two Artists / One canvas…The Collaborators work together telling stories in color! 

About the exhibition

 These paintings, started in 2021, combine the efforts and attitudes of both Peter and Joseph as a reaction to the Covid pandemic and the isolation people felt from one another during this difficult global experience. 

Artist Statement 

“We thought, let’s give it a try and together shape some ideas into paintings. Peter was anxious to get the painting studio going and Joseph had some ideas worth exploring. We stayed masked in public so we could keep our studio healthy.

We are influenced by ancient petroglyphs, symbols and cave paintings as well as modern art from the past century. Our local history and geography yield important themes we continue to follow.

Collaborating takes time and planning. We’ve been able to work through the projects, balancing egos as we work.  As drawings and color samples begin to take shape we have the elements to start a canvas. The painting then takes on its own life as we paint.  If one paints then the other is art directing. “ – Peter Merscher 

Artist Bios 

Joseph L. Concha  is Tiwa from Taos. He studied at IAIA in 1973, writes poetry and promotes his native language.  

Peter Merscher came to Arroyo Hondo from Philadelphia in 1983. He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.

Both artists share altruistic principles and volunteer at local food banks and coops. They have been friends for more than 40 years and share interests in art, archeology, history and the natural world.