Steeped in Tradition, Crafted for Today
Located within Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the gallery and café are a place to slow down, connect, and experience the Bernal family’s long-standing dedication to art and community. First opened in the early 1990s as House of Water Crow and Red Coral Flower, the gallery continues to celebrate the creativity and traditions of Taos Pueblo. While once offering a full menu, the café now serves a beverage-only selection featuring signature espresso drinks like our lavender white chocolate mochas, red chile–infused espresso, and fresh-pressed juices. Each beverage is crafted with intention and reverence for this land. A full-service restaurant, led by CJ Bernal, will be opening soon just up the road on Veterans Highway.
Entirely off-grid, the space runs without traditional infrastructure. There are no electricity lines, no plumbing — just a quiet rhythm sustained by intention, love of place, and respect for tradition. Surrounded by works of art that honor generations of creativity, guests are invited to gather, pause, and feel the rhythm of this place. What began as a family gallery now welcomes visitors as Dawn Butterfly, a living tribute shaped by heart, continuing to honor the past while offering space for what’s next.
Featured Artists
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Featured Artists ///
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Originally from the Skwah First Nation in British Columbia, Canada, Rose Bernal married Carpio T. Bernal of Taos Pueblo and together had Coral Dawn (June 24, 1987 to July 18, 2020); Carpio Joseph Ignacio or "CJ"; and Kwantlen Dean. All are/were creative and contributed to the success of the House of Water Crow. While accomplished in other areas such as grant writing and music, Rose also works in several art mediums including jewelry, pottery, mono-printing and many others, as needed.
Named as a 2022 Taos Woman and a recognized activist in the community, Rose Bernal is a helper across all the domains and needs of the Bernal Family and goals. Though retired, Rose is keeping busy with family projects and is an unwavering supporter of the development of the Dawn Butterfly Restaurant and the future Coral Dawn and Paul J. Bernal Center for Arts and Literature. As a family, we take our lead from the visions and projects that Coral Dawn was working on before she made her spirit journey, and we look forward to honoring Coral and Dad Paul's legacy and memory.
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Born and raised at Taos Pueblo, Carpio T. Bernal (married to Rose Bernal of Skwah First Nation in Canada and father to Coral Dawn Bernal [June 24, 1987 to July 18,2020], Carpio J.I. Bernal "CJ" - and Kwantlen Bernal) is a multi-media artist. With many valuable life experiences in the Native American Theatre Ensemble in the 1970's; apprenticeship in many art and craft forms under the tutelage of Subiyay - Bruce Miller of the Pacific Northwest tribe, the Skokomish; and growing up learning or being self-taught in other numerous art media, essentially from A to Z including, beadwork, carving in stone and wood, painting, pottery, weaponry, weaving, to name a few.
In 1986, Carpio T.Bernal established at Taos Pueblo, the House of Water Crow - a gallery to showcase the creativity and work of the Bernal family. Over recent years, Carpio has been mastering wood carving with inlay to create wall plaques, cutting boards, furniture, etc. After serving as the 2024 Taos Pueblo WarChief, Carpio is supporting his son, CJ's goal to establish the Dawn Butterfly Restaurant. With this, it is anticipated that Coral Dawn and Paul J. Bernal Center for Arts and Literature operation will follow, and be located directly adjacent to the Restaurant, working hand-in-hand with the Dawn Butterfly Restaurant.
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Born in British Columbia Canada November 24th 1988, Carpio J I Bernal is an enrolled tribal member both Taos Pueblo on his father’s side and Skwah First Nation of his mother’s side. Carpio who also goes by (CJ) is a second generation indigenous artist and entrepreneur currently residing in New Mexico. Raised in a creative environment, Bernal found passion and interest to pursue the arts from a young age. His work in Movement Arts has spanned over ten years of professional dance, choreography and teaching in the areas of the Rocky Mountains. In his creative endeavours Bernal also found a career in visual arts at his family’s gallery in Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO world heritage site. Bernal has also worked in the service industry since the age of sixteen, where he discovered his interest for Culinary Arts.Having studied fine arts at Naropa University, CJ looks at art with a "contemplative" eye. Growing up, CJ has been exposed to all mediums in art and loves jewelry design and sculpture work.
Since 2020 after the sudden loss of his sister Coral Bernal; CJ has focused his attention and efforts to a future of entrepreneurship. In 2022 Bernal open the first ever espresso bar on Taos Pueblo the (Dawn Butterfly Cafe). The Dawn Butterfly Cafe has grabbed national attention, was featured on the food and travel network in Eat, Play, Stay, the cafe has also received write ups in Rhizo Magazine, The Huff Post, and Forbes Magazine. The cafe has continued to receive support and attention locally and beyond. Integrated into its business model the Dawn Butterfly Cafe has workforce training program and is excited to expand into a second location in the year of 2025, the Dawn Butterfly Restaurant on Veterans Highway enroute to Taos Pueblo. Final construction of the Restaurant is currently underway!
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Coral Dawn Bernal, “Red Coral Flower” was born on June 24, 1987 and made her spirit journey on July 18, 2020. Born to Carpio (Taos Pueblo) and Rose Bernal (Canada), Coral enjoyed a rich family background, and was very active in her cultural traditions, often the subject of her poetry. Coral represented Taos in national poetry competitions, received the inaugural UNM Native Writers Award, among others, was a favorite on the slam poetry scene; and Coral often appeared at various events and gallery openings. Coral had a close relationship with Cultural Energy Radio and Cultural Energy documented several years of Coral’s poetry performances. Coral contributed her creativity to the family gallery through dreamcatchers of all types and sizes, as well as, jewelry.
While Coral’s life was cut short, her spirit is honored and lives on as inspiration for the creation of the Dawn Butterfly Cafe, Gallery and Restaurant, as well as, the future Coral Dawn and Paul J. Bernal Center for Arts and Literature. Within an adjacent property directly adjacent to the Dawn Butterfly Restaurant, it is anticipated that the future Center and the Restaurant will operate in cooperative support of one another. The Center will house a gift shop and an art studio, and it is anticipated copies of Coral’s poetry will be available for sale to support the ongoing operations of the Center.
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Born and raised at Taos Pueblo, Kwantlen Bernal is a talented and self-taught artist who has also learned different art mediums under apprenticeship with his Father, Carpio T. Bernal. Kwantlen works in several mediums specializing in traditional native weaponry such as obsidian and antler knives, large metal and antler knives, jewelry in copper with bracelets using stamped and hammered styles, and - in honor of his sister Coral Dawn, dreamcatchers.
When not creating original art works, Kwantlen is working on or cruising in the mountains on all-terrain vehicles or cross-country bikes and usually has a mechanical project in progress.Kwantlen uses his construction skills where needed and has had a supportive role in the development of the Dawn Butterfly Restaurant.
All artwork displayed in the gallery is available for purchase. If you’re interested in a piece or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out with pricing inquiries or questions.
Our Menu
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Our Menu ///
Dawn Butterfly is proud to serve coffee in partnership with Spirit Mountain Roasting Co.. Their ethically sourced, small-batch roasts reflect the same care and intention we bring to every cup.
