2025 Official Artists

Robb Rael is a Santa Fe native whose work clearly reflects the aesthetic influences of his environment. The landscape, color, traditions, and culture of the area find representation in Rael’s work and serve as the state settings in which his mystical storylines flourish. Being raised by his parents who were artists, Rael understood from an early age that a career in the art world would be both challenging and rewarding.Robb Rael’s presence in Santa Fe’s art community has been a constant since his first participation in Contemporary Hispanic Market in 2004 in which he was awarded “Best in Painting.” from that moment, critics, collectors, and local community organizations have embraced and lauded Robb’s work for its unique style. His works have been featured in numerous local galleries and chosen for the official posters of annual local events such as Contemporary Hispanic Market, the Santa Fe Wine Festival at El Rancho de las Golondrinas, and Will Shuster’s Zozobra. Rael’s work can also be found among fine collections, both locally and nationally.

Join us in marking a momentous milestone with this year’s Zozobra centennial commemorative poster image, envisioned by none other than our event chairman, Ray Sandoval. Infused with the magic of a lifetime of memories since his early beginnings with Zozobra at six years old, Ray’s concept captures the essence of our century-long legacy.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the talented Mike Graham De La Rosa of Cosmic Desert for his exquisite craftsmanship in bringing Ray’s concept to fruition. This centennial image is not merely a visual piece; it’s a celebration of our enduring spirit and a beacon for the future of our storied tradition. Embrace this symbol of history and festivity, and join us as we step into a new century of Zozobra with the same fervor that has united us for generations.

Brandon Parras is a graphic designer and illustrator born and raised in Albuquerque, NM. Mostly working with digital art, Brandon has been creating and commissioning art for over 10 years. His art draws many influences, including comics, animation, street art, and music. 

My name is Isaac Varela and I am a Community and Regional Planning major at the University of New Mexico. Ever since I was a kid, the Burning of Zozobra was without a doubt my favorite event in town. With a mom who was once the president of the Santa Fe Kiwanis Club, I’ve always loved being involved in the event, whether it be stuffing the monster with paper, performing as a gloomie, or assisting in the construction of Zozobra’s hands. With a lifelong obsession of Zozobra came an obsession with drawing the Gloomy Ghoul. As a kid, I filled pages upon pages of Zozobra drawings, and even now, I fill the empty pages in the back of my college notebooks with Zozobra. I am more than grateful and truly honored that my design was chosen to be part of the design of the 100th anniversary youth poster.

My name is Josiah Montoya, I’m a 15-years-old I’m from Alcalde, NM. I am a freshman at St. Micheal’s high school. I totally vibe with sketching and dancing it’s what I live for. I’ve been part of the Zozobra crew since I was a little kid, and it’s been 9 years of pure awesomeness. I get to throw my creativity around both on paper and on the dance floor, and then channel that same energy into helping build up this massive, super-cool puppet that we set on fire every year.

Hello! My name is Alice Wilkins, and I am a 13-year-old artist from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Art has always been a huge part of who I am, and my earliest memories are of coloring with crayons or drawing dinosaurs on the backs of napkins at restaurants. Santa Fe has always had a huge part to play in my passion for art, specifically the numerous museums around town (which I totally suggest you go visit and support other fellow artists!). My largest influence is Meow Wolf, a common practice I use is actually using pictures of the exhibits to base color palettes on. I’ve come up with some pretty unique pieces in this manner. Talking outside the world of art, I am a student at ATC (although I am moving to Santa Fe High next year for high school). I am 13 years old and live with my mom, dad, and younger sister. When it comes to hobbies and likes, I love softball, motocross, dinosaurs, film, and biology. I hope to be able to spread my influence through the words of art as I continue to progress, and I am incredibly grateful to have been given this chance! Thank you, and I wish the people reading this a wonderful 100th Zozobra fest! Let’s burn him!

Joseph Montoya is extremely proud and happy to get the chance to be a part of Zozobra for the third year in a row. Joseph spent his last 15 years with the Walt Disney Company, both in Walt Disney World Florida, Radio Disney, and working in the film industry here in Albuquerque in Breaking Bad and known for Hamlet 2. After returning locally, he has been advancing his Digital Art career.

Jessica Knox, currently a student at UNM, is pursuing a bachelor’s in Political Science and History. While not a formal artist, Jessica has always enjoyed crafting and creating graphic designs. She has been a featured Zozobra artist for the last three years and is honored to contribute once again to this celebration of art and community. Jessica is excited to mark her 21st birthday on the same night as the 100th burning of Zozobra, adding an extra layer of excitement to the occasion.Jessica’s piece features all nine distinctive Zozobras from the Decades Project, each representing a different era from Zozobra’s rich 100-year history. Inspired by the dynamic style of comic book cover art and iconic album covers from The Beatles, this piece captures the evolution of Zozobra through vibrant colors and a circular composition. 

Anita Ashfield-Salter is an artist and illustrator from Santa Fe whose work pays tribute to the rich heritage of New Mexican art, while also incorporating her own distinct modern folk art voice and vision.Her artistic roots extend back to her childhood days. One particular memory remains vivid in Anita’s mind – the excitement of entering a mini-Zozobra contest in 1982 and winning first place in the 8 to 10-year-old category. This cherished moment not only sparked her passion for art but also instilled in her a deep appreciation for the creative process.Her latest piece captures the event’s transition from sunset to darkness and invites viewers to immerse themselves in the beloved tradition of the burning of Zozobra.