MarfaMUST and Martha Invitational Unite for Community-Led Art Weekend
The second iteration of MarfaMUST (Marfa Untitled Studio Tour) ran from May 28 to May 31, 2026, paired with the second Martha Invitational at RULE Gallery. The weekend featured open studios, talks, a sound ceremony, and group shows by Marfa-based artists. Highlights included Romi Gold's "Chakana (Incan Cross)" at the New Star Grocery Art Museum, Dim Zayan's drywall compositions, and Mateo Galindo's ceramic incense burners learned at Cerámica Suro in Guadalajara. Rigo Zamarron showed a tiny 3x3-inch drawing with an eye. The Martha Invitational showcased Martha Hughes (now painting lush green gardenscapes from Santa Fe), Leslie Wilkes, Diana Simard, and Bettina Landgrebe. Julie Speed gave a talk and open studio, presenting a new painting tentatively titled "Untitled (Asstalkers)" depicting a four-armed woman wrangling a devilish figure. Speed discussed imagination and trusting vision, noting that anger disrupts her hand. The weekend was deemed a success with many artists selling work.
Key facts
- MarfaMUST began in 2024 to provide exhibition opportunities for local artists.
- The 2026 MarfaMUST ran May 28–31, paired with the Martha Invitational at RULE Gallery.
- The MarfaMUST group show was held at the newly reopened New Star Grocery Art Museum with theme 'homecoming'.
- Featured artists in the group show: Sam Schonzeit, Valerie Arber, AnnMarie Nafziger, Carolyn Macartney, Romi Gold.
- Romi Gold's 'Chakana (Incan Cross)' is acrylic on deer skin, 12 x 13 1/2 inches.
- Dim Zayan's open studio featured oil-on-drywall works like 'Declivity III' (2025, 35 x 45 inches).
- Mateo Galindo showed ceramic incense burners/candle holders made during a residency at Cerámica Suro in Guadalajara.
- Rigo Zamarron showed a 3x3-inch charcoal-on-paper drawing with an eye (2026).
- Martha Invitational artists: Martha Hughes, Leslie Wilkes, Diana Simard, Bettina Landgrebe.
- Martha Hughes now lives in Santa Fe and showed lush green gardenscapes.
- Julie Speed's new painting 'Untitled (Asstalkers)' (2026, gouache on watercolor paper, 41 x 29 1/2 inches) depicts a four-armed woman fighting a one-armed devilish figure.
- Speed gave a talk on imagination and trusting vision.
- Many artists sold work during the weekend.
Entities
Artists
- Romi Gold
- Sam Schonzeit
- Valerie Arber
- AnnMarie Nafziger
- Carolyn Macartney
- Dim Zayan
- Mateo Galindo
- Rigo Zamarron
- Martha Hughes
- Leslie Wilkes
- Diana Simard
- Bettina Landgrebe
- Julie Speed
Institutions
- MarfaMUST
- Marfa Untitled Studio Tour
- RULE Gallery
- New Star Grocery Art Museum
- Cerámica Suro
- Glasstire
Locations
- Marfa
- Texas
- United States
- Santa Fe
- New Mexico
- Guadalajara
- Mexico