About Santa Fe

For two decades, Owner Karan Ruhlen has represented contemporary regional and nationally known mid-career artists whose paintings and sculptures are inspired by nature and range from realistic to abstract.

Karan Ruhlen Gallery is often called one of Santa Fe’s most preeminent contemporary galleries. Our fine art gallery features abstract, contemporary, minimal, and realistic paintings and drawings, as well as sculpture, by regional and nationally known artists. Most of the artists have resided in New Mexico 15 to 55 years. Karan is a veteran painter and has been an arts advocate for more than 30 years.

Karan Ruhlen Gallery was established in 1993. The gallery has grown from its first historic location on De Vargas Street to its current location on Canyon Road - with a few stops in between. Originally, the gallery represented Texas artists and one lone New Mexican, Elaine Holien. "In those days I, too, was an established painter," says Ruhlen. Through the years the gallery has grown to represent well-establshed New Mexico artists, including New Mexico Modernist, Janet Lippincott. In the early days, the gallery was known for its "101 Cups- 101 Artists Show,"which, for 6 years was an annual exhibition. "these shows gave me the opportunity to meet and get to know many artists of New Mexico and the Southwest Region," says Ruhlen.

Karan's enthusiasm and energy over the years, combined with the dedication of her artists and staff, has created a consistent level of respect and quality. Today the gallery is distinguished in its representation of the finest artists of the region.

Karan Ruhlen, the artists, and staff would like to thank their friends and collectors for their continued support throughout the years.