Their first goal was modest: to raise $1 for art supplies for every elementary-school student in Santa Fe. But that was 12 years ago, and this is now.

Together, Santa Fe art gallery owners have now raised nearly $750,000 for school art programs. They've touched the lives of the next generation of artists and supported those who teach them through ARTsmart, the nonprofit arm of the Santa Fe Gallery Association.

Although Connie Axton wants to credit all those who have made ARTsmart a success over the years, she's leading the organization this year as prepares to put on its February signature event, ArtFeast.

Seven galleries participated in the inaugural event, which involved patrons buying a ticket and walking to each business to snack on gourmet treats. Last year, about 36 galleries hosted part of the Edible Art Tour, and this year planners aim to get participation from every gallery in the association, whether through donations to a silent auction, sharing of mailing lists or in other ways, Axton said.

"My preference, quite frankly, is to always work behind the scenes. I can be a workhorse and get lots of things done and make things happen. I am not one to really take the helm," said Axton, 61, who sat behind a desk in her roomy Ventana Gallery on Canyon Road on a recent autumn day.

She's willing to be out front, however, because she believes in the mission.

"The arts are so important to these kids' development. It helps them problem-solve, think out of the box. It gives them self-confidence. It gives them something that they can be proud of, self-assuredness. It helps them with mathematics. It helps them with sciences, it just — every child needs this. This is a rough time that these kids have to go through. So if we can help them feel good about themselves and be proud, we are doing a great thing," she said.

ARTsmart kicked off at a time when arts programs for schools had hit the budgetary chopping block and Santa Fe gallery owners wanted to do something to defend them. Axton was part of the early efforts.

Bonnie French, who manages Waxlander Gallery, said she's always looked up to Axton. It was French's neighbor who nominated Axton and all the ARTsmart board on which they both serve for The New Mexican's 10 Who Make a Difference.

"She's a great connector of people," French said. "She looks at people's strengths and slots them into where they can do the best, and people love working with her. Really joyous, happy people get joyous, happy people around them. That is Connie."

French met Axton when she was thinking about getting into the gallery business. In Axton, she found a willing mentor.

Axton says its her policy to be of what help she can to others in her field.

"When people ask me, I always give them my best, most honest answer that I can possibly give them. That's my instinct, and why not? It's a hard business and this is my perspective and these are the reasons why I do things the way I do."

ARTsmart has continued to expand its outreach, including through a featured artist program that sends an artist into high-school art classes for several weeks; an endowment fund; an annual plate-design contest and auction; and scholarships for young artists headed to college. It also continues its first plan, to put money into the hands of art teachers so they can buy supplies to keep students engaged. This year, a check for $50,000 went straight to supporting art education in the Santa Fe public schools.