Patricia Michaels plans to stay at art gallery despite incident

Thursday, August 22, 2013  

Fashion designer Patricia Michaels of Taos Pueblo plans to stick with an art gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, even though employees there accused her of stealing works she created.

Michaels went to Legends Gallery on Sunday and Monday and took several of her own pieces in order to make more items. She said she planned on returning them today but employees already called the police and told a local weekly newspaper that she stole $20,000 worth of merchandise.

“This is insane,” Michaels told The Santa Fe New Mexican, a daily paper in the city. “My jewelry wasn’t stolen. I am not a thief. I don’t think they quite understand.”

Michaels still wants to continue her relationship with the gallery.

Get the Story:
'Project Runway' star accused of stealing her own work (The Santa Fe New Mexican 8/22)

Patricia Michaels denies theft of own pieces from art gallery (8/21)