The Arabian Horse in Art and Life -- A Celebration of the World’s Oldest Breed at the Taos Art School

by Cynthia Culbertson

Arabian horse lovers began arriving in Taos the second week of August for a special class held at the Taos Art School entitled “The Arabian Horse in Art and Life.” Ursula Beck, director of the school, says her decision to offer a class devoted entirely to the Arabian breed was a simple one. “I am continually creating new ways to combine these two,” she reflects, “as both can transport us with beauty, inspire us with accomplishment, and brighten our connection to our world.” Endorsed by The Pyramid Foundation, whose mission focuses on education, several members of the class were also Pyramid Society members. While all of the students were residents of the U.S. , three originally came from England , Tanzania , and Belgium , lending a decidedly international flavor to the group. Some were well-known Arabian breeders with decades of experience, while others owned only one horse or had just purchased their first Arabian. One student had no horses at all, but came because of her love of the breed and a desire to learn more about the culture of their homelands. Most had interesting careers, including college professors, interior designers, boat builders, botanists, and a wonderful singer-songwriter who graced the class with her talents at the piano as well as copies of her latest CD.

The class enjoyed a view of the Rio Grande Gorge
during one of their outings during the week

The San Geronimo Lodge, built in the 1920’s, provided the perfect “ Taos ” flavor to host the class, with its kiva fireplaces, traditional wooden beams, and typical New Mexico adobe construction. The majority of the students chose to reside at the lodge for the duration of the class, although one enterprising attendee elected to camp in the towering pines of the beautiful Kit Carson National Forest . The innkeeper of the lodge kindly allowed the instructors to set up an Arabian horse library in one of its rooms, so that students could check out reference books and educational videos for the duration of the course.

A few adventurous types even tried a little river rafting

The class included lectures on Arab culture, the history of the Arabian horse, Arabian type, breeding and strains, Bedouin folklore and culture, the Arabian horse in art and literature, breeding groups of Arabians around the world, and the Arabian horse in Islam. Photography was another important element of the week with students combining lectures with “hands-on” photo shoots with Arabian horses in Taos . Taught by Arabian horse historian Cynthia Culbertson and award-winning photographer Richard T. Bryant, the class also included guest lecturers Christie Metz and Darryl Larson. Christie, President of the Pyramid Foundation, lent her creativity and enthusiasm to several popular lectures, including one on Arabian strains, where the students had the opportunity to braid their own colorful rope, or “rasan” illustrating the blending of families. Darryl Larson assisted in the realm of photography and video, and each day the class had a video section with several historical and farm videos presented.

Photography was an important element of the class

Every evening the class members had the opportunity to experience the unique town of Taos with activities such as touring the Taos pueblo, rafting down the Rio Grande river, horseback riding in the mountains surrounding the pueblo, and visiting several area art galleries.

Taos artist J.D. Challenger welcomed the class members at his studio

Ursula Beck, who arranged her busy schedule at the Taos Art School to join the class remarked, “The experience we were able to offer our students was one of the deepest, most passionate, and knowledgeable I have ever seen.” Students were equally enthusiastic about the class. Pyramid Society member Janet Stinson declared that the class in Taos helped elevate her understanding in all of the many areas of information presented.  “It also made me aware that the more you learn, the more you learn you do not know…the information was endless and interesting!”

SR Tumbleweed was a willing subject for the class. Photo by class instructor Richard. T. Bryant

Bridgette Orwig, another Pyramid Society member of the class, called Taos an amazing experience. “Getting together with people who truly love these Arabian horses for all the right reasons was an honor and an invigorating experience. To listen to the knowledgeable and dedicated speakers, and then have the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas as a group was informative, thought-provoking and inspiring. It also reaffirmed for me the fact that most people involved with Arabian horses are true lovers of the breed, its history and its future - I am very proud to be an Arabian horse breeder.”

Perhaps the best perspective on the class came from a newcomer to Egyptian Arabians, Athala King of Las Vegas. She recently purchased her first straight Egyptian from breeder Merrie Aiken, who accompanied her to the class. “There’s nothing better for the soul than collectivity, “ Athala explained, “knowing that one is not alone and having shared experiences.  The group embraced people from all walks of life, at different points in their life, with or without horses, and with or without farms and ranches.  All shared a common love of Arabians.  I was delighted to have been warmly welcomed into the group – and, I was even more excited that people offered their wisdom rather guarding their knowledge.”

Plans are underway for another class in the future! Hope to see you there!

2006 Class Attendees and Instructors: Janet Stinson, Bridgette and Dennis Orwig, Christie and Henry Metz, Darryl Larson, Christine Emmert, Sandy Melendi, Marney Sweet, Lee and David Black, Cynthia Culbertson, Richard T. Bryant, Julie and Fritz Teutsch, Merrie Aiken, Athala King, Betsy Wolf, Ursula Beck