Call it a case of occupation-related obsession, but whenever I see a vacancy, I’m curious about who and what is going in next. That curiosity amps up a notch when the space in question turns out to be adjacent to Barker Realty’s Railyard office. After minimal sleuthing, I got some answers – and they didn’t disappoint.
Want the inside scoop on Santa Fe’s next great gathering spot? First, let’s talk about Nelly-Joy Irakoze. If you’ve ever been to a gallery opening here, you’ve definitely seen her. After nearly a decade as one of the forces behind the Casa Nova gallery, she’s branching out with a new venture: Vanna Curated Living, a salon-style gallery space named for her adorable black-and-white mini doodle.
And if you knew Casa Nova, you’ll know where to find Vanna—it’s in the same space, next to Barker Realty and close to all the Santa Fe Railyard’s exciting galleries, restaurants and retail spaces.
Nelly-Joy is bringing a lot of excitement into this new venture. Vanna will feature black and white fashions by Cape Town, South Africa-based Zeitgeist. Unique furniture, pendant lights, ceramics, jewelry, pillows, blankets, gifts, elegant silhouettes, sculptures by Lisa Jensen and even a signature scent (Vanna perfume, obviously) created by two of her closest friends.
An 8,800-Mile Journey
Nelly-Joy has a fascinating history. She moved from East Africa to the U.S. in the late 90s, found her way to Santa Fe for massage school, and after practicing for a while, tried her hand at everything from banking to running a B&B.
As a queer Black artist from Africa, Nelly Joy sees the world through a lens that deals with heavy history, including a series of devastating genocides throughout the 1990s and 2000s in neighboring Rwanda and Burundi (her homeland), a culture where being openly gay can put your life at risk.
It’s a legacy that helps her appreciate the opportunities and welcoming culture of Santa Fe, a worldview that impacts her approach to business and people.
Creating a Welcoming Space
So, what is Vanna? It’s envisioned as a vibrant salon for book signings, readings, small fashion shows, and great conversations. Proudly queer, Nelly-Joy is creating a dedicated hub for Santa Fe’s growing LGBTQ+ population. “It will be a space for the queer community,” she says.
This move makes sense given her philosophy. Nelly-Joy is all about the art of genuinely seeing people. “That first encounter is significant. It’s human-to-human. It’s like, I see you,” she says.
Vanna’s owner points out that the ‘Fe” in Santa Fe is the periodic table symbol for iron, an element highly significant in her native culture. “In Africa, long before they printed money, they would make things out of iron to use as both currency and barter, and that influence will be felt throughout this space,” she says, adding that iron objects will be featured throughout her space and emphasizing that iron-based imagery has been incorporated into Vanna’s logo.
Nelly-Joy also embraces iron as a symbol of her own strength. “When I first thought about opening this space on my own, I asked myself, ‘Are you crazy?’ But then I said, ‘No. I am courageous. I am resilient.’ I am iron!”
Vanna—White, Black, and Great at Customer Service
Nelly-Joy’s business acknowledges her constant companion, a rescue named Vanna, whom she adopted in the spring of 2025 during a difficult period of her life.
“I’d bring Vanna into Casa Nova, and she quickly became the ‘greeter.’ She not only welcomed visitors, but remembered whoever walked in when they returned days later,” she says, adding that her new space will not only include her dog, but reflect the mini-doodle’s welcoming personality.
Vanna’s soft opening is on Wednesday, February 11, from 4:00 to 6:00. Friends will be there and maybe even a few celebrities. Of course, Vanna will help Nelly-Joy greet her guests.
Initially, the gallery space will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-5, with evening hours on the last Friday of each month. In the Spring and Summer, she plans to open seven days a week.
A Beautiful Playground
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know I often profile LGBTQ+ couples and individuals who’ve chosen Santa Fe as their new home.
So I had to ask Nelly-Joy what she tells friends and family across the country and around the world when they ask about moving to the Land of Enchantment.
“Santa Fe is a bubble, and I have a beautiful playground here. This city has allowed me to be my authentic self, and that’s what I tell people. You can be your authentic self here,” she says. “And that’s my mission for Vanna, to be a welcoming space for not only the queer community, but for everyone.”
Vanna is located in the Railyard at 530 South Guadalupe, Suite E. Nelly-Joy invites everyone to join her for drinks, snacks, and conversation at her soft opening on Wednesday, February 11, from 4:00 to 6:00.
