Juan-Manuel Alonso Jr., 71, of Tajique, New Mexico, passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2024. He was surrounded by his beautiful artwork and the lovely views here in the Manzano Mountains. He was born September 26, 1952 in Havana, Cuba to the late Juan-Manuel Alonso Sr. and Caridad (Gil) Alonso.

Juan-Manuel grew up in Havana until the age of thirteen. He then spent a large portion of  his life in New York City. Following graduation from City College of New York and The Fashion Institute of Technology, he taught design at F.I.T., Miami-Dade College of Fine Arts, and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in California.

Throughout his career, Juan-Manuel had been associated with major design houses such as Tiffany's, Nino Cerruti, Bill Blass and Willi Smith. His extensive travels throughout Europe, the Middle East, India, and other parts of Asia had a major influence on his artistic sensibilities. He lived in Havana, Brooklyn, New York City, San Francisco, Miami and Palm Springs before moving his art studio to New Mexico. His art has been shown at numerous galleries and museums in California, Florida, Colorado and New Mexico. He painted a three-story mural at The Center in Palm Springs and was the Founder of Art on the Streets, also in Palm Springs. His works are in private and corporate collections all over the world. The website alonso­art.com expresses his use of vivid colors and the significance of each work he created.

Juan-Manuel is survived by his partner, Guy Seiler of Tajique, New Mexico; daughter, Carolinna Kingston and two granddaughters, Sophia Garcia and Arianna Garcia all of Miami, Florida. He had two older brothers, Narciso Alonso and Marcos Alonso (both whose whereabouts are unknown). He is also survived by his sister, Lidia Cardoso of Miami, FL; three nephews and one niece, Jorge Alonso (Carmen), Willy Cardoso (Lili), Lisa Fabela (Pablo) and David Cardoso (Jenny), all of Miami, FL. Additionally, he is survived by numerous great nieces and great nephews also in the Miami area as well as many friends who loved and will miss him.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at his home and studio in New Mexico. Please contact Guy Seiler for more information. Donations can be made in the memory of Juan-Manuel Alonso, Jr. to: UNM Truman Health at UNMMG Truman Clinic Atten: Craig Laberg-Esparza 801 Encino Place NE Suite A Albuquerque, NM 87102. Specify that you want the donation to go for "food bags" for those who are in need of food.

"In many cultures, it is believed that speaking the name of one who has passed brings their life energy into the present." Juan-Manuel Alonso, Jr.