Connie B. Burkhart Metal Design Artist & Abiquiú Dome Owner

Widely known as ‘The Dinosaur Lady’, Connie B. Burkhart has embraced her multifaceted interests and talents to create a life that allows her to follow her dreams. She is a metal design artist, singer-songwriter, musician, mother, educator in earth sciences, and a true renaissance woman! For Connie, creative inspiration comes from many things, whether it is finding a treasure in a pile of scrap metal, exploring the land, watching the sunset as it washes the land in warm light, or finding a sunflower that grows in the sand.

Living in canyon country where the ancient ones once walked has been a desire of hers for decades. In 2016, she moved from Lyons, CO, to Abiquiu, NM, and her dream became a reality. Her studio and home sit nestled near the cliffs in the Chama River valley surrounded by red rock mesas, archaeological sites, and amazing geology at the edge of the Colorado Plateau. 

The showroom for her metal designs found a home where she is the gallery owner of Abiquiú Dome - her unique adobe structure on HWY 84. Just a few miles away is Ghost Ranch, where she began her adventures in burning metal while attending an art welding workshop many years ago. Ghost Ranch offered Connie a space to indulge in many art forms - as well as her love of music, songwriting, and hunting for fossils and artifacts in the rich, history-filled land of Northern New Mexico. In 1995, she became an art welding instructor for the very class that sparked her love of creating metal art and still teaches today! She also shares the wonder of the high desert through hiking workshops and other special events at Ghost Ranch.

One unique fact about Connie is that she grew up in the Hollywood scene, appearing on several shows, including American Bandstand. Her close friendship with Marie Osmond allowed her to have many experiences of unbelievable measure. However, when Connie went on her first archaeology field trip in college, her life changed drastically as she watched the sun setting over the slick rock canyon country for the first time.

With all the good things life sent her way, there has also been tragedy. Regarding love, she states, "Loss has been a part of my journey, but with it came a love for which I can only be grateful". Her passion and determination to recognize heartache and celebrate life's gifts translates into every aspect of her life. She and her four children share the love of the arts, their best times being spent together around a campfire with guitars and the clear New Mexico night sky.

Connie's love of the Southwest flows through all of her work. Her ability to celebrate her love of art and science weaves into her businesses of metal arts, music, and geology/earth science education. She also owns the Copper Canyon Casita Airbnb property in Abiquiú, just 3 miles south of Abiquiú Dome, which is currently up for sale owner. Visit the listing HERE.

Visit our 'Events' page for upcoming events and info on how to register for Connie's workshops - or check out her website below. 

During certain times of the year, Connie will be booking immersive and educational guided hiking tours of the Abiquiú area. If you'd like more information, please email info@abiquiudome.com.

Connie B. Burkhart's contact Info: rdrckwmn@msn.com