A satirical (and suddenly shelter-seeking) artist returns to El Zaguán

By Anonymous

For those Historic Santa Fe Foundation members and supporters who were enjoying the El Zaguán gallery shows five years ago, images of oversize cartoons with a slightly satirical bent may trigger memories of former El Zaguán artist Dominic Cappello. Cappello moved into El Zaguán the Summer of 2012 and produced his first show called “GOV DOM”, featuring a series of large format cartoons that presented his fictitious campaign for governor. The polices he was pitching were all very real (Cappello’s background is in public health strategic planning) but the zany cartoons were not what one would expect in a real campaign. More than one El Zaguán artist resident asked, “Is this campaign real or what?” 

Cappello’s other shows were a shared show with Española fine artist Diego López that attracted art (and margarita) lovers from across Northern New Mexico. This was followed by his contribution to a group show that highlighted the political circus surrounding the launch of Obamacare. He also designed the HSFF newsletter as part of community service to the HSFF.

COURTESY OF DOMINIC CAPPELLO

Cappello left Santa Fe in 2017 for what he thought was to be a dream job in Seattle, developing a data-driven infrastructure-building program focused on ensuring health equity and care for vulnerable Washingtonians. His boss, after the first month, told him that she was not comfortable with data nor the term “data-driven” because “people are intimidated by numbers.” It turned out she was more comfortable with him facilitating convenings to talk about the problem of poverty instead of actually addressing it. “That surreal gig,” says Cappello with a grin,” turned into what I describe as my sabbatical year from hell.” 

This is where the El Zaguán connection comes alive, yet again. Upon returning to Santa Fe and seeking shelter, HSFF director Pete Warzel (proud collector of an original Cappello called “Zombies on Canyon Road”) told Cappello, “I have bad news and good news. First, we have no vacancies at El Zaguán but I do have a lead on a brand new state-of-the-art apartment complex going up in the Railyard and it might meet all your needs.” 

Dom jumped into his new Railyard Flats apt to begin work for NMSU on a statewide campaign called 100% New Mexico, providing leaders in all 33 counties with the resources to ensure all families had access to (what is coined in his book 100% Community co-authored with Dr. Katherine Ortega Courtney), the “ten vital services for surviving and thriving”–including healthcare, food security programs, fully-resourced community schools and stable, affordable housing. 

DOMINIC CAPPELLO (LEFT)

This is where the story gets ironic (though it might be a sign of the impending breakdown of the electrical grid heralding the apocalypse). It's now June 2022 and Cappello is visiting Las Cruces for a one week face-to-face course at NMSU, part of his doctoral studies. A call arrives from his Santa Fe apt. manager telling him in a sheepish tone: 1) The entire Railyard Flats building complex’s electrical system blew out, 2) it might take many months to fix because: “reasons”, and 3) you must find a new place to live in Santa Fe until the lights come back on. 

A suddenly homeless Cappello reached out to Warzel (altruist extraordinaire) and as luck would have it–the lovely Apt #1 at El Zaguan was going to be vacant for two months, awaiting the start of construction on the interior phases of the EZ Master Plan. Cappello’s misadventure in housing insecurity was averted thanks to the welcoming arms of HSFF. 

Cappello, in what might be called a cameo appearance at El Zaguán, will be busy with his full time initiative work, his studies, and his ongoing political cartooning. He hopes to find a way to do a show even though the El Zaguán gallery is booked up until 2024. “If I can’t get the El Zaguán gallery space, I might just put on the show in my cozy 400 sq foot studio but forgo the DJ, band, dancers and pop up bar,” shares Cappello, “Either way, I am thrilled to be back in this historic adobe, a far more secure and inspiring place than the so-called modern complex I was living in.” 

To see Cappello’s illustrations visit the book Attack of the Three-Headed Hydras (downloadable free-of-charge) at www.fighthydras.com. To view the groundbreaking “100%” initiative visit www.1ooNM.org. Cappello welcomes your emails to dominicpaulcappello@gmail.com. To read more about the displacement of Railyard Flats residents visit https://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/when-crisis-hits-santa-fe-who-survives-and-who-thrives/article_40d26448-f80e-11ec-99f9-83f03b17354f.html.

Note from Executive Director: It is quite obvious that this piece was written by Mr. Cappello, himself, in the third person, which is interesting in itself.  I find it necessary to correct some of the facts presented here. I did not, in fact, suggest the Railyard Flats to Dom, rather he asked if we had any connections there, which we made, obviously, successfully. Dom in fact loved the place until this unfortunate circumstance. It is ironic that a 160-year-old apartment is the safehouse following a modern design breakdown…a very good reason for preservation and use of historic structures in our city. - PW