2008 Writing D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
September
2008
Arts Scene
Grant County
There's a lot happening at the Southwest Women's Fiber Arts Collective! In keeping with its mission of promoting artists and their work, the SWFAC now is making its Fiber Arts Center, 211 D N. Texas St. in Silver City, available for rent to artists for shows. "We think this is a wonderful idea, and want to extend this opportunity to our community, since there are not many places in the downtown area for artists to host shows," says the non-profit organization's executive director, Charmeine Wait. The facility is in the heart of the Texas/Yankie art district and has clear wall space to hang artwork. Days, partial days and weekends are available, ranging from $25-$80. Interested parties must make a deposit and sign a rental agreement. Contact Wait at 538-5733, Mon.-Fri. before 11 a.m. or via email at charmeinew@fiberartscollective.org
The group will hold its annual fundraiser, the Tapestry of Talent, a multi-faceted fashion show, Sept. 27, 1 p.m. Proceeds from the event go to support the SWFAC's outreach programs, such as its knitting program with Life Quest in Silver City, an after-school knitting program at the Sixth Street Elementary School and its week-long fiber arts youth summer camp. Models will take to the runway in garments crafted by SWFAC members, there will be a boutique of fiber arts items for sale and a small quilt exhibit, and attendees can enjoy treats at the refreshment buffet courtesy of Shevek & Co. and The Curious Kumquat. The event will take place at the Bayard Community Center, and there will be complimentary gifts and door prizes. The $25 tickets can be purchased at The Common Thread, 107 W. Broadway.
And the Fiber Arts Collective has announced two new classes with Nadine Sanders, an internationally known weaver, teacher and performer also known as the Singing Weaver. "Promotion 24/7 — Making a Living from Your Fiber Skills" will be offered Oct. 18, 1:30-4:30 p.m. This seminar explores high-, low- and no-tech ways to market work, secure teaching contracts, and promote oneself as a teacher or artist. This workshop is suitable for any artist/teacher wanting to hone promotion skills and will be taught at the Grant County Extension Office, 2610 N. Silver St. Cost is $20 for current SWFAC members, $25 for others, and all materials are included.
The second workshop with Sanders, "Warping with Paddles, Shoestrings & The Kitchen Sink!," is set for Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Designed for individuals from the experienced weaver frustrated with the warping process to beginning spinners afraid to approach the loom, this session will provide hands-on practice while making a warp to take home. Students also will learn how to modify their looms for easier warping. This class will be taught at the Fiber Arts Center. The cost is $71 for current SWFAC members, $76 for others, plus a $10 materials fee. Participants must register for either workshop by Oct. 1, by mail, phone or in person at The Common Thread. Class sizes are limited, so early registration is encouraged. 107 W. Broadway, Silver City. 538-5733.
"Visual Rhythms," a show of works in mixed media by Kourosh Amini that opened Aug. 30, continues at Seedboat Gallery through Sept. 28. 214 W. Yankie St., 534-1136.
Hands-On Market will host two "Day of the Dead" workshops this month. Linda Brewer will instruct participants in the making of clay "skellies," Sept. 6 and 13, and Nancy Phillips will lead a group in making air dry clay dioramas and sugar skulls, Sept. 13. 388-0649, ccstanford@zianet.com
Pat Bouchard is the featured artist at Moonstruck Art for the month of September. In celebration of the Gila River Festival, she has created a series of mixed-media works, "Moths+Math," combining moths of Grant County and the Fibonacci sequence. 110 W. Yankie St. 956-5346, www.moonstruckart.com
Speaking of the Gila River Festival, downtown galleries will be open for a special gallery tour on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2-5 p.m. That will be followed by an art opening for a new show, "Premonitions," featuring the photography of Michael Berman, 5-7 p.m., at the Blue Dome Gallery, 307 N. Texas St., 534-8671. Leyba & Ingalls Arts will also have a themed exhibit opening Sept. 20, "The River," featuring new works by gallery artists. 315 N. Bullard, 388-5725. And Elemental Arts will be featuring new Gila River oil paintings by Valerie Milner this month. 106 W. Yankie, 590-7554. For a complete festival schedule, see "40 Days and 40 Nights."
Works by Silver City artist Turid Pedersen are on exhibit at the Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe. Born in Oslo, Norway, Pedersen has lived in the American Southwest for almost 30 years. All of Pedersen's paintings are studies of objects in light, some in glimmering light and deep shadows, others in fuller light. Painting items such as Navajo rugs and original artifacts such as Mimbres bowls and Anasazi ollas, she has created a body of work that pays homage to the Indians of the Southwest. Pedersen has been a featured artist at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Okla., and from 1996-2001 a teacher at the Scottsdale Artists School. Her painting, "Zuni and San Juan in Fall," was recently included in the Capitol Art Collection in Santa Fe. 388-9127, maywine@cybermesa.com Blue Rain Gallery, 130 Lincoln Ave # D, Santa Fe, (505) 954-9902, www.blueraingallery.com
And it's time once again for the Grant County Art Guild's Annual Purchase Prize Show featuring paintings by artists from throughout the state. The 23rd running of the event will be on exhibit at the Hearst Church Gallery in Pinos Altos two weekends, Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 3-5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., preceded by an opening reception Sept. 25, 6 p.m., when judge Bill Gallen of Santa Fe will be present to discuss the winning paintings. Paintings from this juried show are available for purchase. 538-8216.
Las Cruces and Mesilla
Many local galleries will dish up fine hors d'oeuvres and stay open late to participate in the Dona Ana County Arts Council's ArtsHop, the annual fundraiser featuring food, prizes and new art exhibits, Sept. 5, 5-9 p.m. Since 1994, this annual tour of selected galleries has provided an opportunity for participants to enjoy a variety of exhibits in the area's growing gallery scene. All net proceeds from this event go to support the DAAC Career Art Path (CAP) program for middle-school students and other youth arts programs.
Among the already-announced ArtsHop highlights is "The Man Show," an exhibit of works by 12 men who have helped to develop the arts in Las Cruces, presented by nationally renowned landscape artist David Rothermel. The artists featured are Olin Calk, Bob Diven, Robert Highsmith, Ryan Kosnick, Richard Parra, Tony Pennock, David Rothermel, Kevin Self, Tatsu Miyazaki, the bands The Touch and The Liars, and Roy van der Aa. The Man Show will premier Sept. 5, 5-9 p.m. (tickets required) and continue to Sept. 20 at D. Rothermel Fine Art, Plaza Mercado #3, Mesilla.
Mesilla Valley Fine Arts Gallery, 2470-A Calle de Guadalupe, will feature "Celebrating Autumn" with new works of art and many artists in attendance.