Floyd Archuleta’s mission is to promote and encourage the education of acequia culture and the preservation of water, traditions, and land.

Born and raised in the small village of Arroyo Seco, New Mexico, Floyd is deeply rooted in a heritage that stretches back to the early 1800s, when his ancestors first settled and began farming the land. He continues this legacy through ranching, following in the footsteps of his father, Jose Manuel Archuleta, who remained a devoted caretaker of the land until his passing at the age of 99 in 2015.

As an emerging artist and entrepreneur, Floyd draws directly from lived experience. His creative work reflects the realities of ranching and land-based traditions—cattle drives, round-ups, hay raising, and irrigation. These memories are transformed into art across diverse media, including oil painting, recycled wire sculpture, carving, and metal art. Each piece is a contemporary expression of ancestral practices, bridging history with the present day.

In 2010, Floyd founded the Des Montes Art Gallery to represent and support local folk artists of Northern New Mexico. The gallery is both a cultural hub and a space of preservation, carrying forward community values of sustainability and heritage. Its logo, El Irrigador, honors his father and the central role of water in acequia culture, embodying the life-giving connection between people, land, and tradition.

Through his work, Floyd seeks not only to document the stories of his ancestors but also to ensure their survival in the modern era. His art is a journey through time, place, and memory—an act of preservation that brings the richness of New Mexico’s history, culture, and customs into the 21st century.

Email: desmontesartgallery@gmail.com

Website: desmontesartgallery.com