D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
February 2012
Arts Exposure
Arts Scene
Silver City & Grant CountyThe latest area art happenings.
Las Cruces & MesillaIt's Chocolate Fantasia time once again in Silver City (see separate story), and local galleries are planning special treats in addition to their, well, treats. Seedboat Center for the Arts will feature music in the courtyard by Baxtalo Beng with AlmaZazz, Feb. 11, 12-2 p.m. 214 W. Yankie St., seedboatgallery.com.
At Art & Conversation, the special feature is who's actually making the goodies. The gallery will feature Curious Kumquat chocolatier Adam Arrey, Feb. 11, 12-4 p.m. 614 N. Bullard, 388-3350.
"The Sweetheart Show" will feature paintings by Gay Marks and sculpture by Jim Palmer in a temporary gallery space at 204 S. Bullard St. (south of Jalisco's), with an opening reception Feb. 10, 5-7 p.m. The show will then be on view during Chocolate Fantasia, Feb. 11, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
This month, Ginny Wolf Studio and Gallery is featuring "The Life of a Tree" series by local artist LeAnne Knudsen. 108 W. Yankie St., 313-5709, www.ginnywolf.wordpress.com.
The Branigan Cultural Center presents an exhibition of works by local student artists, on display from Friday, Feb. 3, when there will be an opening reception from 5-7 p.m., through Saturday, Feb. 25. Many of the artists started testing their talents by working primarily in clay, then broadened to work in other media including painting and ceramics. 501 N. Main St., 541-2154, lascruces.org/museums.
Members of the Las Cruces-based New Mexico Watercolor Society's Southern Chapter will be showing their works all over town in February, which is For the Love of Art Month (see separate story). Flo Hosa Dougherty, member and owner of the Blue Gate Gallery, will host the society's themed show, "For the Love of Southwest Gates & Doorways." The show features original work by 12 members including Dougherty, Penny Thomas Simpson, Beverley Pirtle, Mayanna Howard, Arlene Tugel, Lynn Berkeley, Tom Gerend, Gindy Farmer, Penny Duncklee, Mary McCoy, Jan Addy and Robin Lee Makowski. The eight-inch square paintings are all framed identically and priced at $150. The show opens during the First Friday Ramble, Feb. 3, with an reception from 5-7 p.m., and runs through Feb. 27. 311 N. Downtown Mall, 523-2950.
Mike and Mary LeBlanc, owners of La Iguana Restaurant, have invited watercolor society members to show during February and March. Up to 50 pieces will showcase the diverse talents of the watercolorists. This show also opens on Feb. 3, with a reception from 5-7 p.m. 139 N. Main St., 523-8550.
Watercolor society members will also again be showing at the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce building, 760 W. Picacho Ave., 524-1968. New work will hang beginning in February.
The Tombaugh Gallery of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces is featuring "Arcs and Echoes" by contemporary painter Jill Somoza, through March 2. 2000 S. Solano, 522-7281.
Las Cruces Arts Association will be opening its season with a membership show at the grand opening of Mountain Gallery and Studios on Feb. 3 from 5-7 p.m. This show celebrates the 50 years that LCAA has been together as a group and is the first show at Mountain Gallery, the new home of the group, which will have monthly shows there. The gallery's regular hours are Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 138 W. Mountain St.
In February, Mesquite Art Gallery owner and artist Mel Stone confesses to "going a little nuts," with a show featuring Stone's own photography taken with the iPhone 4s and manipulated using free apps. There will be a reception for the show, "iPhon-e-graphy," on Feb. 4, 4-6 p.m. 340 N. Mesquite St., 640-3502 or (701) 235-8381, www.mesquiteartgallery.com.
The Mesilla Valley Fine Arts Gallery will feature local artists Bert Gammill and Karin Bradshaw this month. Gammill is a multimedia watercolorist and oil painter who depicts farm animals and subtle landscapes. Bradshaw's work features traditional Pueblo designs burned into symmetrical gourds adorned with authentic gems. 2470-A Calle de Guadalupe, 522-2933.
Nopalitos Galeria will continue its "Platicas" series Feb. 5 featuring Clarence Fielder at 3 p.m. followed by the Fielder family exhibition, showing all month. Receptions for will include the "Love of Art" on the Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. and "Pretty in Pink" by Melanie Stone Jack and "Jewelry" by Gloria Sovero Olazabal, both Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. Continuing exhibitions at the gallery are "Carousel Art" by Marge Swenson and "Bright Lights, Bright Future" by Jesse Griffith. Entries for the Love of Art show are still being accepted until Feb. 5; for details, e-mail nopalitosgaleria@msn.com or call 650-5690. 326 S. Mesquite.
The "Landcuts" exhibit opens on Friday, Feb. 10, from 4-6 p.m. at Unsettled Gallery and Studio. The featured artists are Heather Bradley and Karina Hean, MFA graduates from New Mexico State University. The exhibit runs through March 3. 905 N. Mesquite St., 635-2285.
Watercolor and collage artist Laurel Weathersbee will demonstrate her "quilt block" collage process at Adobe Patio Gallery on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 1-3 p.m. 1765 Avenida de Mercado, 532-9310, www.adobepatiogallery.com.
Las Colcheras Quilt Guild will present its 10th judged quilt show, "A Century of Enchantment," Feb 10-11 at the Convention Center, featuring 200 quilts, a boutique and vendors. Hours are Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. On Feb.13, author and quilt teacher Kimberly Einmo will give a lecture, "Jelly Rolls & Precuts: A Recipe for Design Success," at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. Admission is $5.
The Preston Contemporary Art Center in Mesilla will close Feb. 18. Its final exhibits are "The Last Picture Show," a juried regional exhibition of the works of 64 artists from the Southern New Mexico/El Paso region, and its November Exhibition. 1755 Avenida de Mercado, 523-8713.
All phone numbers are area code 575 unless otherwise indicated. Send arts news to events@desertexposure.com.
Except as noted, all phone numbers are area code 575.
Send arts events to events@desertexposure.com.