In Loving Memory of Shontez Morris

From the inception of Sol Sundays in 2017 one of the biggest supporters of our events was none other than the VIBRANT, CREATIVE, KIND, FUNNY, and LOVING Shontez Morris, aka “Taz”. Unlike many of the other participants she showed up without being asked, she participated full on 100% in all the workshops, she took full advantage of learning about all the booths had to offer, and her mere presence was a joy to have. It is people like Taz that would make the party a party. Her smiling face, her energetic dancing, and her ability to feel the vibe and transmit it to others.

I first met Taz when she was working the door at Skylight Nightclub around 2013. She had a towering presence yet kind and friendly demeanor. She reminded me of the vibe I felt when going clubbing in NYC and LA. She had a way about her that made everyone feel safe when she was around. I got to know her better through Sol Sundays, we began connecting more and I learned that not only was she a security guard/door woman she was also an artist. When we opened up Remix Audio Bar she frequented the coffee shop and would share photos of her mannequin art with me and we had amazing conversations about the importance of community and leadership in community. She invited me to join a leadership group she was a part of while working at Meow Wolf, but sadly I was unable to attend. I saw her as a leader in our community and a key person that connected others together. And her art was inspiring, mannequins with LED lights that belonged in a New York nightclub and paintings and photography that honored and accentuated the divine feminine. When I learned she was an artist I invited her to do face painting at Sol Sundays in 2019 and she happily participated. Everything she did was with infused with joy. I only wish we could have shared that joy with her for years to come.

Although Taz has passed over into another dimension where physical forms are not representative of the divine energy we posses her divine energy lives on in the community we build, in the chosen music family we continue to nurture, and in Sol Sundays. We love you Taz and will keep the house music flame burning in Santa Fe especially for you!