ALAMOSA — For as long as she can remember, master quilter and fiber artist Bea Valdez Mansanarez has seen the world around her as a glorious collection of colors and shapes. A native of the Valley, she was born in 1932 and raised in a small place originally called “Los Valdezes” for her great-grandfather, Juan Pio Valdez who “fought in Lincoln’s war in 1864,” and donated the land for the town. 

Even as a child, she was aware of the beauty in everything, whether it was while picking raspberries in her mother’s large garden or watching her mother crochet beautiful pieces or seeing the big patchwork quilts her mother made from scraps of cloth left over from the clothes she sewed for her children to wear.  

“I think watching her do all that and how much I just loved the beauty of the patchwork quilts…I think that’s where my passion for quilts came from. And it is my passion.” 

Even now, in her nineties and still living in the house in Monte Vista where she has lived for “thirty years, at least,” that sense of wonder remains as strong as ever.   

“If I look out my window, I can see the San Juan Range. Sometimes it has snow. Sometimes it has clouds. Sometimes it’s green and sometimes it’s yellow and green and bright orange. And then I look toward Mount Blanca, and it’s covered with snow and there are fields of potatoes. We live close to the Rio Grande River and there was a place called the Plaza Bridge. It’s different now but there was so much art down by the river. You can make a square with your hands and when you look through that square, you’re looking at a beautiful scene.” 

In response to being named as Artist of the month of April by Milagro’s Coffee Shop, Mansanarez wrote, “As a native Coloradan with a life full of creativity, I've had the privilege of exploring many art forms; quilting, knitting, concha, gardening, China painting, embroidery, and rug making. My work has been a way to express my love of art, nature and the world around me, and the greatest artist of all, God. I am deeply honored and humbled to have had the opportunity to share it with the community.   

“I extend a warm thank you to Milagros Coffee Shop for displaying my artwork and honoring me with Artist of the month for April. Milagros has always been a haven for creativity and to have my work on its walls is a true honor for me. This cozy place is a perfect setting for art to thrive.  

“Thank you, San Luis Valley, for your support and encouragement of my work. Come by Milagros, enjoy a cup of Jo and take a look at my artwork. All pieces are for sale.” 

Milagro’s Coffee House, 529 Main St., Alamosa, is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.