Christine Galusha

Christine Galusha, a longtime member of the Santa Fe design community, died on Friday, October 21st at the Santa Fe Care facility. She had lost a valiant struggle against cancer in her 66th year. Born in Westwood, New Jersey, Christine studied art at the Parsons School of Design and the School of Visual Arts in New York. She came to New Mexico with her husband Gary in the 1970s. Together they created original designs in leather under the name Desert Dwellers. Their shop on Canyon Road became a destination for inspired, hand-crafted wearable fashion and exquisite interior design projects. After Gary passed away, Christine reinvented herself as Chris Galusha Design. Her new work integrated painted and stamped leatherwork with her love for ethnographic textiles. She became an avid collector of Asian, African, and South American fabrics and decorative arts, world music, costumes, metals, beads, and furniture. These passions led her to a sophisticated new direction. A memorial service will be held at the Rivera Family Funeral home on Rodeo Road for Friday, October 28th @ 4 pm in Santa Fe. Friends and colleagues are sincerely welcome to pass on stories and memories.