New Spanish Market Director Rejoins MoSCA Team

The Spanish Colonial Arts Society welcomes David Rasch as its new Director of Spanish Market. A Santa Fe resident since 1992, he was involved with the early development of the Museum of Spanish Colonial Arts, worked as a conservator and collections manager from 1999 to 2003, and has served on the Spanish Market Standards Committee from 2011 to the present day.

“We are so pleased that David will be re-joining the team at MoSCA,” said Josef Díaz, the museum’s executive director. “He is a welcomed addition and brings with him extensive knowledge of the museum and Traditional Spanish Market.”

As director of Spanish Market, Rasch will dive into a host of planning details for the summer and winter markets, which introduce thousands of people to the traditional Spanish colonial arts of New Mexico and provide a key economic opportunity for the artists.

Rasch holds a master’s degree in art conservation and two museum-studies certificates. His devotion to the multicultural character of Santa Fe led him to study and collect an impressive array of Hispanic and Native American art. He most recently worked as the city of Santa Fe’s historic preservation officer and has also served on non-profit boards, helping with their programming, productions of gallery exhibitions, and public events. Throughout, his passion for preserving the art, artifacts, and architecture of northern New Mexico has been evident.

“I appreciate the importance of fine hand-made art and am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with the Spanish Market artists—both in maintaining their long-standing traditions, but also by encouraging individual creativity through appropriate innovation within the living traditions.”

Rasch began work on October 15 and hit the ground running: Winter Market, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, in Albuquerque, will be December 1 – 2, with a galaxy of art, local music, food, art demonstrations, an opportunity to interact with extraordinary artists, and a chance to take home a special purchase or, perhaps, the perfect holiday gift.