Artist Spotlight: Gregory Segura, Santa Fe Silversmith

Gregory Segura is an award-winning precious metals artist and a lifelong resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico. His work is widely recognized for its technical excellence, material integrity, and cultural depth, reflecting both his Spanish and Native American heritage as well as the long tradition of silversmithing in the Southwest.

Segura began refining his silversmithing practice in the 1990s and formally established Santa Fe Silverworks in 2008. Although he studied metalworking briefly in the 1980s, his expertise in silver is largely self-taught. His approach emphasizes hands-on experimentation, precision, and an intuitive understanding of how silver and stone interact. This technical fluency allows him to execute complex forms with confidence and consistency.

A defining characteristic of Segura’s work is his use of heavy-gauge sterling silver. Each piece is fabricated entirely by hand, with careful attention to structural strength, proportion, and finish. His designs range from traditional Spanish and Southwestern religious forms—such as Sacred Heart motifs and rosaries—to contemporary interpretations that incorporate refined line work and sculptural volume. Across styles, his work remains unified by craftsmanship and clarity of design.

Segura’s artistic influences draw from multiple sources, including historic New Mexican silversmiths, Spanish colonial metalwork, and the natural and cultural landscape of the region. Rather than replicating historical forms, he reinterprets them through original compositions that honor tradition while remaining distinctly modern.

His work has been consistently recognized at Santa Fe’s Traditional Spanish Market, one of the most respected juried markets for Spanish colonial arts. In 2010, his debut year juried into the market, Segura received the E. Boyd Memorial Award for Originality and Expressive Design, and his piece Corazón de Santa Fe also won in the precious metals category. In 2013, he was awarded First Place in Precious Metals for his 75-carat Ruby Sacred Heart Rosary. Additional awards followed in 2014, 2016, and 2018, including multiple First and Second Place honors and recognition for works such as Viva la Reina and his gold-adorned Guadalupe Cuff.

Segura’s work has also received institutional and national recognition. In 2011, noted author, collector, and dealer of Native American art Martha Struever selected him as the only Spanish Market artist to participate in her Summer Native American Artist Tour. In 2017, the Albuquerque Museum acquired his necklace Empress Isabel for its permanent collection, featuring it in the traveling exhibition Jewelry From New Mexico, which toured internationally from 2018 through 2023.

In 2021, New Mexico Magazine named Segura one of its “12 Makers New Mexico,” an honor recognizing artists whose work reflects both technical mastery and a deep connection to the state’s cultural identity. His jewelry is regularly featured in Robert Redford’s Sundance Catalog Heritage Collection and has been covered in publications including Metalsmith Magazine, Trend, and Native Arts.

Gregory Segura’s Spanish ancestors settled in Santa Fe in the early 17th century, and he continues that lineage today through work that bridges historical influence and contemporary craftsmanship. His jewelry stands as an example of how traditional techniques and cultural symbolism can be preserved, refined, and reimagined through disciplined, hand-crafted design.