News and Articles

“Will Clift’s ‘Vestigios de los Caminos / Vestiges of the Roads’ to be Installed at County Administrative Complex”   

Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe County is pleased to announce the final selection for the 240 Grant public art display: "Vestigios de los Caminos / Vestiges of the Roads" by Santa Fe-based sculptor William M. Clift. The goal of this public art project is to celebrate Santa Fe's rich history and cultural diversity, which has been shaped by the historic Old Spanish Trail, Camino Real, and the Santa Fe Trail. The project will significantly enhance the experience of residents and visitors at the County Administrative Complex and contribute to the artistic legacy of Santa Fe, fostering art, community, and identity.   

The work will be composed of two highly integrated sculptural forms suspended above the lobby atrium, visible from multiple floors. The lower form, representing the Rio Grande Pueblo Trail, will be crafted from semi-transparent, tinted acrylic sheets, allowing both natural light and viewers’ gaze to pass through. Above it, the second form—representing El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro—will be fabricated from laminated wood, carbon fiber, and epoxy, then hand-coated with a clay slip and glue mixture. This natural finish will vary in color and texture along the form, echoing the changing geography of the historic trail. Both forms will hang independently yet share suspension cables, creating a harmonious and layered effect beneath the skylights. 

Robert Lambert, Project Manager II for the County’s Public Works Department, praised the winning concept: “Each of the three final art proposals would have been wonderful selections! I’m excited that (of the three options) the most modern, minimal, and visually uncomplicated proposal was selected for the space. I think it will complement the building’s design while contrasting the square edges of the interior with rounded, organic forms.  

The art selection was made by a committee comprising representatives from Santa Fe County staff, the architecture firm for the administrative building, and local art officials. The County would like to recognize and thank the following members of the selection committee for their time and expertise: 

Santa Fe County Staff 

• Hvtce Miller, Intergovernmental Outreach Coordinator 
• Kimberly Vigil, Constituent Services Liaison 
• Victor Vigil, Customer Service Program Specialist  

Project Architect 

• Parker Sprague, Project Manager, Studio Southwest Architects 

State Arts Representative 

• Meredith Doborski, Public Art Program Director, New Mexico Arts, New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs 

Two additional finalists—Paula Castillo’s “Crossroads of Culture” and Matthew Ellis’ “Canopy Colcha”—also submitted compelling and thoughtful proposals. Santa Fe County thanks all participating artists for their vision and commitment to enhancing public spaces through art. 

When Mr. Clift was notified about the selection of his art for the County building, he responded enthusiastically, “I’m thrilled and so grateful for the opportunity to take this idea from concept to reality, to create and share this sculptural interpretation of a piece of New Mexico’s rich history with my neighbors. Also, I was born and raised in Santa Fe County, and I bring my kids to the County Administrative Complex every time I vote, so having a work of mine there will be very personally meaningful.” 

To learn more about Will Clift and his sculptures, visit his website at: https://willclift.com/about-all/  

The fabrication of the sculpture is expected to begin later this year. Community members are encouraged to visit the 240 Grant building following completion to experience this celebration of New Mexico’s historic pathways brought to life in modern form. 

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