Growing Season: Interns Return to Abiquiú Garden
Georgia O’Keeffe’s beloved garden in Abiquiú, New Mexico, is buzzing with excitement—from pollinators and local birdlife to this summer’s cohort of interns. Four Northern New Mexico high school students have been selected to work, weed, and harvest the decades-old garden. Like in years past, the interns spend the cool morning hours in the garden with Project Manager Randy Garcia. New this year, the group spends the sweltering afternoons in the classroom, gaining firsthand insight into the business of agriculture. Alongside Santana Lopez, the Museum’s Community Engagement Coordinator in Abiquiú, the interns are developing their entrepreneurial skills through a mock seed business. As a team, they are learning every step of the process—from production and packaging to marketing and sales—while gaining hands-on experience both outdoors and in the classroom. Funding for the program is provided through the Outdoor Equity Fund grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Outdoor Recreation Division.
Meet the four students helping carry O’Keeffe’s garden into its next season while building valuable experience for their own futures.
Janessa Sandoval
Hometown: Tierra Azul, New Mexico
Mesa Vista High School, Class of 2027
Janessa is excited for new experiences and meeting new people during the summer. In the future, she would like to go to college and become the best version of herself. Janessa’s favorite part of the summer so far was visiting O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch home and seeing the artist’s bookshelves made of fruit crates from Bode’s General Store in Abiquiú.
O’Keeffe Picks:
- Cats or Dogs? Both!
- Blossoms or Bones? Both!
- New York or New Mexico? New Mexico
- Coffee or Tea? Both!
- Red or Green? Red
—
Isabela Haws
Hometown: Cañones, New Mexico
New Mexico School for the Arts, Class of 2027
Isabela pursued the summer garden internship to learn more about Georgia O’Keeffe, her art, and her life. After high school, she plans to pursue a career in music therapy and musical performance. With these interests, it’s no surprise that Isabela’s attention was drawn to O’Keeffe’s choices in audio equipment for her Northern New Mexico homes, and how the artist hid the speakers in her living area and studio so they blended seamlessly into the architecture.
O’Keeffe Picks:
- Cats or Dogs? Both!
- Blossoms or Bones? Blossoms
- New York or New Mexico? New York
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee
- Red or Green? Green
—
Samantha Martinez
Hometown: Cañones, New Mexico
Coronado High School, Class of 2027
Samantha was drawn to the opportunity to work in Georgia O’Keeffe’s garden, where she could also learn about art. After graduation, she wants to explore during a break from school, with plans to enroll in a community college after a year. She looks forward to what happens after that! So far this summer, Samantha has especially enjoyed growing corn, which has thrived and become one of the garden’s most successful crops.
O’Keeffe Picks:
- Cats or Dogs? Both!
- Blossoms or Bones? Blossoms
- New York or New Mexico? New Mexico
- Coffee or Tea? Tea
- Red or Green? Red
—
Liam Roberts
Hometown: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe High School, Class of 2027
Liam is excited for the hands-on work of planting and tending to the garden. He hopes to gain knowledge and skills in landscaping and plans to join the military after high school. Liam has enjoyed creating customer profiles for the garden seed project, taking pride in studying the interests and habits of potential customers.
O’Keeffe Picks:
- Cats or Dogs? Dogs
- Blossoms or Bones? Bones
- New York or New Mexico? New Mexico
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee
- Red or Green? Green
