Creative Santa Fe

Backstage conversations give us a chance to hear what inspired each speaker, what surprised them about the experience, and what ideas they're taking with them moving forward. These candid moments often reveal just as much passion, creativity, and optimism as the talks themselves.

Thank you, Andrew Neighbour, for sharing your thoughts with us.

Sometimes the most meaningful discoveries happen while telling our own story. Thank you, Contessa Archuleta for sharing your thoughts with us.

Backstage after their PechaKucha Night Santa Fe presentation, this speaker reflected on how the process of creating and sharing their talk helped them learn more about themselves. Condensing years of experiences, ideas, and passions into just 6 minutes and 40 seconds brought new clarity, deeper insights, and a fresh appreciation for their own journey.

At PechaKucha Night VOL. 30: AMERICA, Max Neutra invited us to think about the waves we create, and how far they can travel.

His message was one of welcome, peace, gratitude, and hope: when we come together with intention, even small actions can build momentum and help us meet complex challenges.

Together we can make waves.

May the waves created that night continue to spread across our community and our country. ❤️🇺🇸

At PechaKucha Night VOL. 30: AMERICA, Amy Farah Weiss shared a vision for turning hope into action.

Through her work with the St. Francis Challenge, Amy connected ending street homelessness with building America’s next great tradition of service - empowering everyday people to become active stewards of their communities.

Her message: don’t just hope for change. Get involved. Take action. Be part of it.

Fresh off his first-ever PechaKucha Night Santa Fe presentation, Ron Dimon reflected on the unique challenge of sharing a lifetime of experience in just 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

Backstage, Ron talked about working with Creative Santa Fe to shape and refine his story, learning how to distill years of insights, lessons, and ideas into a concise presentation that could connect with an audience in a meaningful way.

His experience is a testament to the power of the PechaKucha format: helping presenters focus on what matters most and transforming big ideas into memorable stories.

At PechaKucha Night VOL. 30: AMERICA, Ronayne Dalton shared a deeply personal story about war, motherhood, and the changing meaning of freedom.

From practicing nuclear bomb drills as a child during the Cold War to watching her own son, Jamie, serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Ronayne reflected on how something once unimaginable became part of her family’s story.

The bracelets and tattoos Jamie carried honored soldiers who never came home - a powerful reminder of the human stories behind war.

In one of the evening's most heartfelt moments, Ron Dimon honored his brother Bob, whose life was defined by service, generosity, and dedication to family.

Drawing on Edward de Bono's *Six Thinking Hats*, Ron reflected on how Bob embodied the qualities of the Blue Hat—the perspective of wisdom, leadership, and thoughtful guidance. Through stories of love, commitment, and quiet strength, Ron reminded us that true leadership is often found in those who dedicate themselves to caring for others.

A touching tribute to a life well lived and a legacy that continues to inspire. 💙

At PechaKucha Night Santa Fe: Green, Katrin Scholz-Barth challenged us to think bigger about ecological restoration.

Through stories of innovation, sustainability, and working with natural systems, she explored how restoring ecosystems can strengthen communities, improve resilience, and create a healthier future for generations to come. Her message was clear: when we invest in the health of our land, water, and soil, we invest in the well-being of people too.

A powerful reminder that restoration is not just about recovering what's been lost—it's about creating the conditions for life to thrive. 🌱💚

At PechaKucha Night Santa Fe: Green, Barbara Deppman shared a deeply personal story of resilience, responsibility, and determination.

After fleeing Cuba with her family as a young child, Barbara faced the challenges of adapting to a new country and culture. By the age of six, she had taken on the role of translator for her family, helping them navigate daily life while carrying responsibilities far beyond her years.

That experience shaped her sense of purpose and inspired her to work hard in school, building a path forward through education, perseverance, and service to others. Her story was a powerful reminder of the strength that can emerge from adversity and the lasting impact of stepping up for those we love.

At PechaKucha Night VOL. 30: AMERICA, sculptor Jonathan Hertzel explored the shadows cast by history - and how they shape who we become.

Jonathan traced his own American story back to 1847, when his 15-year-old ancestor Levi Spiegelberg fled antisemitism in Germany and eventually made his way to Santa Fe, believing America was a land of infinite possibilities.

Through history, family, and sculpture, Jonathan reminded us that our stories don’t begin with us. They carry the choices, wounds, and hopes of generations before us.