Who is Twirl?

Beyond our store, Twirl is also known for our on-site community programs, which invite young children and families to explore, create, and learn together. Amber Vasquez is the powerhouse behind our on-site classes, Science Saturdays and Art Studio Saturdays, which foster early learning and introduce kids to exciting futures in STEM and the arts. But Amber’s talents go beyond our walls — her Word Play programs reach 100 percent of early childhood centers across Taos County, bringing the magic of language to kids right before kindergarten, just when they need it most.

But wait — there’s even more! Liana Bayles, our robotics expert and elementary programs coordinator, leads our educational outreach to local elementary schools, both during school hours and out-of-school time. She also invites educators to bring their classes to Twirl for STEAM-focused field trips. Liana’s programs blend science and math education standards with creativity and play, crafting one-of-a-kind experiences for classrooms across Taos.

And then there are our big events! Programs like Invent Event, the Global Cardboard Challenge and Twirl Aglow bring the entire community together in imaginative and inspiring ways. These initiatives come to life thanks to the wonderfully creative brain of Nina Silfverberg, our chief ambassador of play and creativity. If you’re ever in need of an expert in glitter, pom-poms, or the wonders of pure creativity, Nina’s your person!

With so much happening, who ensures everyone knows about it while keeping our historic property in pristine condition? That’s Anaïs Rumfelt, affectionately known as artsypants. Anaïs manages our marketing and facilities, keeping our space vibrant, our exhibits engaging and our materials inspiring. Her artistry is felt throughout Twirl, from our colorful promotions to the upkeep of our beloved playground and retail space.

So, we’re not just the coolest toy store around, but in order to make sure we keep that title, Ashley Chavez, our store manager, searches high and low to bring in educational toys for everyone from babies to grandparents. Since taking the helm as store manager, she’s infused Twirl with fresh energy and ideas. She’s joined by Mariah, Finn and Marisol, our fantastic crew. And if you haven’t popped by lately, now’s the time to check it out! Parking is free through December.

Together, this remarkable team brings play, creativity and exploration to thousands of kids and families each year. You can find Twirl at the PASEO art festival, making and creating with their beautiful art installations, in libraries, community centers and even neighborhoods to ensure kids have access to artful play and STEAM learning. This year, we are lucky to have the addition of Americorps member Saundra Whitney who will be learning and playing alongside us, and discovering the secret ingredients for our special sauce! And let’s not forget Nancy Burt who keeps our books in line, making sure we are keeping impeccable records of all of our Twirling around!

We’re proud to be a nonprofit, with our board of directors and executive director working tirelessly to ensure Twirl remains a vital community resource for generations to come. For us, kids aren’t just participants — they’re the heart of what we do. It’s our mission to give them as many opportunities as possible to create, learn and play. We are especially grateful to our donors who continue to believe in the work we do, all of which was dreamt up by a group of five moms who wanted to make a difference for kids in Taos 17 years ago.

Twirl is truly one of a kind. Our playgrounds in the Taos Historic District welcome visitors and locals alike, providing a unique blend of play-based learning and retail that allows us to engage with and respond to our community’s needs. It’s our joy, our purpose and our belief that every child deserves to play!

For more information on Twirl, visit twirltaos.org