2008 Writing D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
September
2008
Art Shorts
Page: 2ArtsHop tickets can be purchased at all the participating galleries or the DAAC office in the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Downtown Mall, for $20 in advance or for $25 on the day of the event. See "40 Days and 40 Nights" for complete list of participating galleries. Contact the DAAC for more information or to volunteer at the event: 523-6403, infodaac@daarts.org
Photographer David Taylor, winner of a 2008 Guggenheim Fellowship (see "A Sense of Place," August Desert Exposure), will be featured in the next of a series of Artists Dialogues hosted at the Preston Contemporary Art Center, Sept. 5, 7 p.m. The event is free of charge. The center's Artists Dialogues series takes the format of a conversation, rather than a lecture. Artist and audience members have the opportunity to react and interact with comments and questions about the artist's works. Taylor, assistant professor of art at NMSU, will be recognized for his current body of work that focuses on his experiences on both sides of the US-Mexican border. 1755 Avenida de Mercado (at the end of Calle de Mercado), Mesilla, 523-8713, www.prestoncontemporaryart.com
"Rodin: In His Own Words," selected works from the collection of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, will be exhibited at the Museum of Art Sept. 5-Nov. 22, with an opening reception Sept. 5, 5-7 p.m. This comprehensive exhibit features 42 sculptures, including various sized bronzes, as well as journal entries and letters by the famed French artist, Auguste Rodin (1840-1917). Accompanying the show is an educational exhibit on the traditional lost-wax casting process, used to create bronze sculptures. Auguste Rodin was a pioneer in sculpture, creating bold impressionistic pieces that have been exhibited at museums worldwide.
Throughout this exhibit's run, the museum also is hosting a series of special events. On the second Saturday of each month, the Friends of Chamber Music will present "Musical Reflections on the Life and Times of Rodin." The Museum of Art will also host a guest lecture series including presentations by Maureen Russell, senior Conservator for New Mexico State Museums and the Cantor Foundation; New Mexico sculptor Michael Naranjo; and Matthew Palczynski, staff lecturer for the Philadelphia Museum of Art. See the museum's Web site for more information on these events, or to make a reservation for group tour: museums.las-cruces.org 491 N. Main St., north end of the Downtown Mall.
The Branigan Cultural Center will exhibit "Three Dreamers," a two-man, one-woman group art show featuring works by George Mendoza, Virginia Maria Romero and Paul Hoylen, Jr., opening with a reception for the artists Sept. 5, 5-7 p.m. Mendoza, Romero and Hoylen are internationally recognized, self-taught artists, known for their "outsider" visionary artwork. Collectively, their art is spiritually motivated, mystical, symbolic, and has vibrantly colored imagery. Each artist draws inspiration from nature. Mendoza is a legally blind artist, whose painting defies categorization. His paintings are bold and range from scenes of tranquility to chaos. Romero's work is distinctive in its original contemporary approach to age-old formats. Her works reflect on the mystical essence of life utilizing mythology and archetypal dream-like imagery. Hoylen is a storyteller through a visual medium. His work is based in a folk-art style that is whimsical and somewhat primitive in nature. The work will remain on display through Oct. 25. 501 N. Main St., north end of the downtown mall. 541-2154, museums.las-cruces.org
The New Mexico Watercolor Society, Southern Chapter, will meet at Good Sam's, 3011 Buena Vida Circle, off Telshor near Memorial Hospital, Sept. 14, 2 p.m. The change of venue is due to water leak problems at the library. The group will continue to meet in Good Sam's Arts and Crafts Room in the administrative wing through November. The September program will feature Spring Show winners discussing their winning paintings. Questions, call Jan Addy at 526-5374.
Luna County
The Deming Arts Council will present a show of works by Curtis Fort and Elsie Dean, Sept. 11-Oct. 17, with an opening reception Saturday, Sept. 13, 1-3 p.m. Fort, of Tatum, NM, creates authentic Western bronze sculptures; his work has been featured in Smithsonian, Western Horseman, Cowboys and Indians and American Cowboy magazines. Dean, from Silver City, works primarily in oils and pastels. 100 S. Gold.
Sierra County Arts Scene
M Gallery will have an opening reception Sept. 13 for a show entitled "Winklers Distilled," 6-9 p.m. during this month's downtown T or C Art Hop. The gallery is also planning a Bourbon Tasting on Oct. 3, 7 p.m., $35. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. 406 Main St., Truth or Consequences, 740-4526, www.moshekoenick.com/m, iam@moshekoenick.com
The Cafe BellaLuca, 303 Jones St. in Truth or Consequences, will host a six-course wine dinner of food inspired by the works of artist Thomas St. Thomas, Sept. 12, 7 p.m. Chef Byron has created a dinner of dramatic local/rustic/organic dishes with wine couplings to present in unison with the art show. St. Thomas' work will hang at Café BellaLuca and the Main Street Gallery. Both artist and chef will discuss their inspirations and their works. Tickets are $85. RSVP, as seating is limited: 894-9866.
Hidalgo County
Watercolors by Portal artist Marge Fagan will be shown at the Chiricahua Gallery in Rodeo, with an opening reception Sept. 20, 2-7 p.m. "Marge Fagan — an Artist in Retrospect" will run through October. For nearly 30 years, Fagan has been painting in and around Portal, where there is an especially strong concentration of support for and collectors of her work. A charter member of the Chiricahua Guild and Gallery, Fagan and a group of artists who were hiking buddies walked the streets of Rodeo until they found a workable gallery space. The group fixed up the building and the gallery thrived for two years in that location, then moved to the historical building where it presently is housed and which later was signed over to them by the Historical Society. Fagan studied with Lilly Hamm, a Chinese teacher at the Phoenix Art Museum.