May-August 2026 - The Pride Issue: The Art World - Jonah Salazar Tafoya

Rooted in culture, community, and immersive expression, the New Mexico–based artist, Jonah Salazar Tafoya, is blending culture, identity, and immersive design to create intentional spaces for connection. Through installations and queer-centered events like Cénit, he is redefining nightlife as a place where art, community, and self-expression come together.
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How did your journey as an artist begin, and what moments shaped your creative voice?
I grew up in a family of artists, so I’ve always been a part of the art world. My grandmother is a tinsmith, and I helped her sell work at the Spanish Market in Santa Fe. My grandfather was a Mexican music producer, and I spent time in the studio watching him work. My parents always kept my brother and me immersed in the arts. I studied cinematography and photography in Chicago and worked in lighting design. In 2017, I entered the club scene and began working in event and festival art production. When I moved back to New Mexico in 2020, I began designing light and installations with the Adobe Disco collective. For the past four years, I’ve been producing and designing my own queer party, Cénit, where all those influences come together.

In what ways do your cultural roots and personal history influence the themes in your work?
I was raised in a Chicano and Afro-Caribbean household, and my parents raised us to be proud of our identities and culture. My installations reflect my connection to my Indigenous roots and the New Mexico landscape. I build and paint southwest plants, animals, and desert imagery as part of my work. I also value intimacy and gathering. I build interactive lounge spaces inside clubs so people can connect and play. Cénit reflects my multicultural background. I get to work with other black, brown, and queer artists, creating a space for us, by us.

How has your queer identity informed your artistic practice and the stories you choose to tell?
My queer identity brought me closer to the community. Creating queer-centered events allowed me to build deeper connections and eventually give back by platforming other queer artists. The stories aren’t just mine.

What does Pride mean to you at this stage of your life and career?
To me, pride means self-determination. It’s about owning your authentic self without asking for permission.

Do you see your art as a form of activism, healing, preservation, or something else entirely?
I would have to say all of the above. I have used my art as a form of activism. Personally, my art has become a form of healing my inner child and as a means of queer resistance and preservation.

As a New Mexico–based artist, how has the local landscape shaped your vision?
Growing up on a farm in Española, New Mexico, I’ve always felt a connection to the land. I started creating art and producing events to share my sense of belonging. Even in nightlife spaces, I want people to feel grounded and intentional.

What conversations do you hope your work sparks?
I hope my work reminds people to be more playful. I also host events in venues that aren’t exclusively queer spaces, and I hope it’s a reminder to our community that we belong everywhere.

Can you walk us through your creative process?
I focus on transforming the entire environment, not just stage design. I think about how people will move through a space and how they’ll feel in it. I build immersive rooms and install art throughout entire venues. I want the space to feel like everyone is part of the art, and not just watching it.

What challenges have you faced as a queer creative?
I’ve had to work hard to be taken seriously and respected, especially in a male-dominated scene. At times, I’ve felt dismissed and had to prove myself repeatedly. That experience has made me more resilient and forced me to be more secure in myself. Even when I haven’t always received respect, I do my best to create warm, welcoming spaces.

What advice would you give young queer artists in smaller communities?
I would say to keep going. Building something in a rural area or with a small community can be hard, but it’s also rewarding. Don’t forget to give yourself flowers.

Where can people learn more about your work?
You can learn more about my work through the Cénit Instagram page and by attending one of my events - @cenitabq.​​