New Mexico
Passing on the tradition of tin art in New Mexico
Tin art has been a long tradition throughout New Mexico. In fact, it’s existed since the 15th century when the Spanish brought it over.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Tin art has been a long tradition throughout New Mexico. In fact, it’s existed since the 15th century when the Spanish brought it over.
KOB 4 introduces you to an artist who wants to make sure that tradition carries on for generations to come.
“You can make anything out of it, just a piece of metal, bend it and put it together,” said Tom Lujan, a tin artist.
For many families, the beloved tradition has been passed down from parents to children and beyond.
“I’m second generation, and my grandson is learning it now, and he’s third generation,” said Lujan.
Lujan has been creating tin art his whole life, but for the past 15 years, he’s dedicated his retirement to his hobby.
Lujan came out to Albuquerque’s third annual Ageless Artisan Craft Fair to sell his work, but he doesn’t necessarily keep the profit.
“Really, the only thing I use the money for, to buy more supplies,” Lujan said.
He also shared the event gives him a space to meet new people. Something, Esperanza Molina with the city strives for.
“The reason we created it is so that all of our seniors had a place for them to sell their artwork that they make at our centers,” said Esperanza Molina, a center supervisor for the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center. “And it’s a great opportunity for them to be able to share their stories or share their talents that they have.”
Lujan has made it his goal to teach not only his grandson, but his community how to create tin art with weekly classes at the Barelas Senior Center and South Valley Multigenerational Center.
“Really the only thing you need right to start off with, is a nail, a hammer, shears,” said Lujan. “I really enjoy helping people learn it. And I like to make big pieces. I usually make big crosses or big mirrors.”
He especially loves teaching younger generations to make sure the tradition carries on.
“They can keep up the tradition, I don’t want it fading away. Just like a lot of things that do fade away as you get older,” Lujan said.
According to Lujan, tin art can come from anywhere.
“After you finish your soup, you can cut it up and make something out of an ornament or whatever,” said Lujan. “Make it into a piece of art.”
Native Vote 2026
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A Laguna Pueblo woman is the front runner to be New Mexico’s next governor.
Shortly after polls closed Tuesday night, Deb Haaland was declared the winner over Bernalillo County district attorney Sam Bregman in the state’s semi-open Democratic Party primary. As of 11:00 p.m., Haaland carried support from 72% of the Democratic primary voters to Bregman’s 28%, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
“We’re showing everyone that a better future in New Mexico is possible,” she told supporters gathered in Albuquerque’s historic Old Town Plaza. “New Mexicans want a leader who will stand up for working people, and who is ready to take on Donald Trump. I proudly accept your nomination as a Democratic nominee.”
Haaland spoke for 13 minutes, at times through a scratchy throat that required her to pause for water breaks. “Excuse me, I’ve been talking with voters all day,” she said while grabbing a water bottle before hitting her campaign stump notes on affordability, health care and public safety.
She will face Republican Gregg Hull, a former mayor from suburban Rio Rancho that won his party’s three-way primary with 47% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
Haaland will be the Democratic Party nominee in a state dominated at every level by Democrats, and is expected to be heavily favored in the general election. With that insight she said her campaign message does translate to Republicans and Independent voters.
“We want our kids to thrive. We want our kids to have a quality, public education. We want every New Mexican to have health care. Everybody wants to feel safe in their neighborhoods, and everybody wants to be able to afford to put a hot meal on their table every night and have a roof over their children’s heads,” she said. “Those issues transcend whatever political spectrum we’re trying to slice and dice people into.”
Shortly after the race was called, Haaland campaign staff, major donors, surrogates, and their families walked from a building on the west side of Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza to the historic plaza core, where the Haaland campaign had set up a stage and reserved the entire plaza for its victory celebration.
“We are now witnessing history in the making,” New Mexico state Rep. Derrick Lente (Sandia Pueblo) said to supporters immediately after Haaland was declared the winner.
Denise Wilie (Dine) also joined the celebration of Haaland’s victory. Wilie said she worked on get-out-the-vote efforts with the Native American Voters Alliance in McKinley County.
“It just is so exhilarating to even think about, a woman and a Pueblo woman,” she said. “Indigenous all the way, is how I feel. I’m like, yes, let’s get more of our voices.”
Haaland was introduced by her two sisters and walked to the stage escorted by a mariachi band.
Speaking to reporters after the event Haaland reflected on voting for a Pueblo woman (herself) for governor.
“I got emotional, quite frankly, when I went to vote for myself because you do that when you’re a candidate,” she said. “We’ve never had a Native American governor in New Mexico. We’re a multicultural state. I think representation matters, especially in a political era such as this one. So, I’m really proud and honored to carry on the legacy of my ancestors, who worked so incredibly hard to make sure that I had a place here today.”
Related
When a famly unexpectedly loses a loved one, or has someone go missing, the details of what comes next can be overwhelming.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – When a famly unexpectedly loses a loved one, or has someone go missing, the details of what comes next can be overwhelming.
But they don’t have to do it alone thanks to an organization helping New Mexico families with some of those burdens.
Watch the video above for more.
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