The Search for Radiance in the Grotesque, organized by the 2026 Young Curators program of SITE Santa Fe, features more than thirty works in various media that examine what can emerge from the most unlikely places: what is driven by nature's persistence through environmental collapse; the will to exist by way of generosity in times of turmoil; seeing beauty in what seems ugly; and finding hope in despair. Featured artists: JONAH ADLER; Aurora Ajiboye-Taylor; Kaylie Boyle; Molly Goehring Burke; Grace Driscoll; Ghislaine and Lando Fremaux-Valdez; Sam Grabowska; Jessica Marie Gross; Leah Hardy; Juniper Harrower; Río Herrera-Shiffler; Scott Horn; Rica Maestas; Tessema A. Meredith; Aleshanee Nikita; Jazmin Novak; Amber Price; Molly Rae; Martha Reich; sheldon richards; Rocío Rodríguez; Monica Salazar; Jonathan Sandmel; Zach Sawan; Brianna Tadeo; Zac Trainor; Jason Wright; Princess Xeon (Anna Sacy); Greta Young; and MJ Yurcic.
The 2026 Young Curators: Lila Adeyemo, Kyla Allender, Justus Holy Bear, Geneve Rose Calderon, Annabelle Gutierrez, Miranda Hernandez, Olivia Hickel, Bri Tweet, and West Williams.
Program oversight and curriculum design: Kate Lee, SITE Santa Fe director of creativity and learning, with curatorial support by Jordan Eddy, independent curator, writer, and editorial director of Southwest Contemporary. Zane Bennett Contemporary Art gallery director, Carina Evangelista, served as guest lecturer for the program.
The SITE Santa Fe Young Curators program is a free after-school program for high school students to write critically about art and exhibitions, learn about jobs in the art and museum fields, and work together to bring an exhibition to life.