Charles Stewart

1922-2011

Charles Stewart was born in Toledo, Ohio in 1922. From an early age he had a natural talent for the arts, so much so that during his school years, his teachers encouraged him to take classes at the Toledo Museum. He studied there for eight years. During World War II, he served with the tank destroyers in five campaigns. When he returned from the war, he studied art and sculpture at the Art Student's League in New York. He then went to Mexico for eight months to study and paint. While in Mexico, he fell in love with the country, its people and arts, vowing one day to return and live.

In 1947, Charles moved to Taos, New Mexico to start his career. He opened a frame shop and small studio and studied at the Taos Valley Art School under Louis Ribak. In 1949, he opened his own gallery. He taught art and sculpture at the Taos Art Association and at Philbrook Art Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as teaching private students. He built three homes in Taos, the last of which is known as the "Stewart House". The "Stewart House" was written up in the New Mexico Magazine in an article entitled "The House That Chuck Built" by Tricia Hurst.

In late 1984, Charles and his wife, Mary Lou, were exploring the Baja in Mexico and ended up at "Land's End", a small fishing village on the Sea of Cortez called Cabo San Lucas. From there, they decided to return to La Paz via a dirt road along the Pacific coast and found themselves in the small farming village of Todos Santos and soon became enchanted by the village. The Stewarts returned to Todos Santos a year later and made arrangements to purchase an old house located in the central district of the village. They began to spend winters in Todos Santos. In 1986, they moved there permanently.

In 1985, The Smithsonian contacted Charles to submit all photos of his work, write ups, shows, etc. so they could document his career in Taos, NM. Everything was put on microfilm, and can be seen at the Houston Museum of Fine Art, and through inter-library loan. Charles was introduced to the Department of Culture in La Paz by Professor Nestor Agundez, head of the Casa de la Cultura in Todos Santos and invited to exhibit his art at several cultural events in La Paz. He had the first one man art show in Cabo San Lucas at the Andalaya in the Pedregal and the rest is history.

For several years, Charles was the only artist in residence in Todos Santos. With Charles' enthusiasm and encouragement of other artists, Todos Santos has now become a renowned art colony.

Noted collectors include Mrs. Helen Wurlitzer Foundation, Mr. Anthony Quinn, Mr. R.C. Gorman of Taos NM, Vincent Price Enterprises, & Jane Snodgrass King of Oklahoma. Added note: Charles C. Stewart passed away in Taos, New Mexico on April 8, 2011.