Artist François Miglio Builds Sustainable Cultural Hub in Chimayó Through Personal Labor and Crowdfunding

Artist François Miglio is transforming his home in historic Chimayó, New Mexico, into a 2,000-square-foot Education & Art Space that will serve as a sustainable cultural hub and working base for the Miglio Foundation's exhibitions and educational programs. Using traditional building materials including pumice and adobe, Miglio is personally constructing the space from the ground up, dedicating eight hours daily to realizing his lifelong vision. The facility will feature a permanent gallery, rotating exhibitions, and a video room designed for immersive art and science experiences while providing learning and collaboration opportunities for students and the local community.

Miglio's journey to this ambitious project reflects extraordinary perseverance. Born in France, he moved to the United States at age forty with limited English proficiency and spent fifteen years living in a basement without windows or running water while promoting his art. His persistence eventually led to exhibitions and lectures at prestigious institutions including UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and the University of Toulouse. Through these experiences, Miglio discovered the universal accessibility of his artistic vision. During my exhibitions and talks at universities and cultural institutions, Miglio says, I realized that my art could be understood and appreciated by some of the most erudite scholars—whose vast knowledge often lies beyond my own reach. Yet I also discovered that it speaks just as naturally to the innocence of young children, and to anyone who still possesses a sense of wonder and curiosity.

This realization inspired the creation of a physical space where people can experience art directly, what Miglio describes as a place where imagination and learning meet in real life. To complete construction, Miglio has launched a personal crowdfunding campaign seeking $80,000 through https://gofund.me/5b42430e9, with funds allocated for materials, infrastructure, and equipment. The artist has already invested $40,000 of his personal savings into the project and committed an additional $30,000 of his own resources. Once completed, the building will become the permanent home of the Miglio Foundation, hosting exhibitions, workshops, and programs exploring intersections between art, science, and philosophy.

The Chimayó project represents more than just physical construction—it embodies Miglio's philosophy about creative possibility and educational transformation. This foundation isn't just about art—it's about possibility, Miglio emphasizes. It's about showing that creativity and education have the power to transform lives, no matter where you begin. Situated along the scenic route between Santa Fe and Taos, the space will serve as both a cultural destination and testament to Miglio's decades-long commitment to art, education, and sustainable building practices. The project demonstrates how individual vision, when combined with community support and personal dedication, can create lasting cultural infrastructure that benefits both local residents and visitors to the historic region.