Archive for January, 2009

The Seventh Annual For the Love of Art event in Mesilla is Saturday, Feb. 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature artwork by area artists, including Guadalupe Jurado Apodaca of L.A. Arts, Latana Bernier of Gourd Art by Latana, Frances Conklin of Casa de Santiago, Ramon A. Escalante of Ramon’s Art, High Desert Furniture and Paintings of Deming, Damon LaGarry of LaGarry Fine Art, Dennis Lujan of In Effect Gallery, Jesse Lujan of Tres Vaqueros Original and Custom Copperworks, Guenevere R. McMahon of Purse Your Lips, Russell Mott of Mott Potts, John Pittari, Preciliana Sandoval of La Morena, John Surra of John Surra Studios and Jovita B. Thomas.

The Border Jazz Trio will play on the plaza from 2-3 p.m.

In 1999, February was declared For the Love of Art Month in Las Cruces. The event in Mesilla is held in conjunction with the Las Cruces celebration in an effort to promote art and the business of art.

For more information, call the Town of Mesilla at (575) 524-3262 ext. 116.

For a complete listing of events in Las Cruces, visit www.lascrucescvb.org.

About 300 students from across the state will be visiting Las Cruces for a weekend of song. 

The children, grades fourth through ninth, will spend two days rehearsing with guest clinicians brought in from across the country.  The choirs, which are split into age groups, elementary and middle school, will finish the weekend with a concert on Saturday at the New Mexico State University Recital Hall beginning at 10 am.

This year’s elementary choir guest clinician is Joan Gregoryk.  She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Children’s Chorus of Washington and is recognized internationally as a leader in the field of children’s vocal music.  Gregoryk taught at Chevy Chase Elementary School for many years.  Her choirs were featured on the Grammy Award-nominated CD and film soundtrack recording of Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov with the National Symphony Orchestra. 

The Youth All-State clinician is Janeal Crabb Krehbiel who is the founder and director of the Lawrence Children’s Choir.  She is a featured clinician throughout the United States.  Krehbiel taught elementary vocal music in the Denver, CO Public Schools, high school vocal music in the Hesston, KS Public Schools and is currently in her tenth year with the Lawrence, KS Public Schools teaching grades 7 – 9.  Her choirs have been featured in the World’s Largest Concert on PBS and have performed at state and regional conventions.

The concert is free, but donations are accepted.

If you go-

What: New Mexico Youth All-State Choir Festival Concerts
When: January 31, 2009
Elementary Choir, 10 am
Middle School Choir, 11 am
Where: NMSU Recital Hall

For a complete listing of events in Las Cruces, visit www.lascrucescvb.org.

Janet Parks and Joanna Bradley are the Featured Artists for February, 2008 at the Mesilla Valley Fine Arts Gallery located at 2470-A Calle de Guadalupe in Mesilla, across from the Fountain Theatre.

Janet works in a number of mediums, mostly in oils and pastels but also watercolor and colored pencils.  She is always interested in trying new mediums and techniques.  Joanna Bradley has won numerous awards for her artistic gourds.  She currently owns a small advertising agency.

The Mesilla Valley Fine Art Gallery also will be participating in the Love of Art Month 2009 in conjunction with the ArtForms Artists Association of New Mexico.  The Mesilla Gallery will have our annual “My Masterpiece” event.  Prizes will be awarded to the winners.  Our local artists will be working in the style of very famous artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Charles Russell, R. C. Gorman, and many more.  Please visit our gallery and participate in the contest to select the old master painting with the old master artist.

Hours are 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 pm Sunday. 

For more information (575)522-2933 or www.zianet.com/mvartgallery.

During For the Love of Art Month, enjoy a free concert by local musicians who perform purely for the love of music. The Las Cruces New Horizons Symphony Orchestra, led by Dr. Oscar Butler, offers its Valentine’s gift of music on Saturday, February 21, at 3 p.m. at the New Mexico Sate University Edith and F.E. Atkinson Recital Hall (formerly the NMSU Recital Hall) on Horseshoe Circle.

The concert will feature Vivaldi’s “Concerto in A Minor” performed by Dr. Marianna Gabbi, former conductor of the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, and Gordon Butler, member of the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra and concertmaster of the New Horizons Symphony Orchestra. In addition, there will be performances of Bruch’s “Kol Nidrei Adagio for Cello” played by Alison Reynolds, Bach’s “B Minor Suite” as a solo by flutist Nancy Christmore, Handel’s “Where E’er You Walk” performed by oboist Estelle Vipond, and pieces by the full orchestra.

New Horizons is a national organization that was created over 15 years ago to give seniors a venue for fulfilling their dreams of becoming musicians. As it evolved, previously trained artists found the group to be a perfect way to return to their musical roots. Now you find musicians of a broad age range working and learning together. This is the fifth year for the Las Cruces chapter, which gives free concerts two or three times annually, and practices weekly at Las Cruces High School.

For more information about joining the orchestra, attending or scheduling a concert, call (575) 522-5571 or (575) 523-9101. You may also check their Web site at www.nhsocruces.com

For a complete listing of events in Las Cruces, visit www.lascrucescvb.org.

Las Cruces Museum of Art Presents Unidentified Flowering Objects

The new exhibition “Unidentified Flowering Objects,” collaborative drawings by Chuck Dunbar and Edna Casman, opens Friday, February 6 at the Las Cruces Museum of Art, with a reception as part of the First Friday Ramble from 5-7 pm.  The exhibit will be on display through Saturday, April 4.

Chuck Dunbar and Edna Casman have been drawing together for three years, creating spontaneous pastel drawings.  Their process is a series of moves and counter moves, like playing a game, to create an improvised floral image.  According to their joint artist statement, “these drawings are not abstract.  The subject of these drawings is the marks and rhythm and the spatial illusion they create.”  Both artists currently reside in Albuquerque. 

 Retrospective of Stephen Hansen on Display at Las Cruces Museum of Art 

Acclaimed local artist Stephen Hansen presents a retrospective of his work entitled “Now and Then” at the Las Cruces Museum of Art, opening Friday, February 6.  Please join the artist for an opening reception as part of the First Friday Ramble from 5-7 pm.  The exhibition will be on display until Saturday, April 4.

“Now and Then” includes works in a variety of media, such as whimsical papier-mâché sculptures, prints, and jewelry.  The pieces on display range from recent creations to artworks created in the past two decades.  A self-taught artist, Hansen’s work is represented in collections worldwide, including the Smithsonian Institute and the U.S. Embassy in Rome.

KX2 Mixed Media Show Opens at Las Cruces Museum of Art

“Crescendo,” an exhibit of collaborative artwork by sisters Dana Lynn Kleinman and Ruth Avra Kleinman, also known as KX2, opens Friday, February 6 at the Las Cruces Museum of Art.  Please join us for the opening reception as part of the First Friday Ramble from 5-7pm.  This exhibit will be on display through Saturday, April 4.

Ruth Kleinman studied metal and jewelry at the University of Wisconsin, while Dana Kleinman studied painting at Carnegie Mellon and the University of New Mexico.  Together they create mixed media works with aluminum and painted raw canvas.  “Each work involves a sense of rhythm and mathematics.  Not only does this reflect nature in its patterns, but it also ties us together as sisters,” say the artists. KX2 has exhibited internationally, including a recent show in Beijing, China.

All exhibits and receptions at the Museum of Art, located at 491 N. Main St. in the downtown mall, are accessible and free to the public.  For more information about exhibits and Studio Programs art classes, please call (575) 541-2137 or visit the website http://museums.las-cruces.org

For a complete listing of events in Las Cruces, visit www.lascrucescvb.org.

Harvest Cooking Class
February 3, 2-4 p.m.
Join us for some fun as the theme for this month’s class includes recipes for the February holiday season. Carol Koenig is the chef and pre-registration is required. $30.

Arts Celebration
February 5, 6 p.m.
The Museum and ArtForms are co-sponsoring the Arts Celebration in conjunction with the organization’s For the Love of Art Month activities. The celebration will showcase three exhibits at the Museum: Elements From the Front Range Quilters, City of Artists Western Heritage Show, and Keith Humphries: Stories of the Old West. Refreshments, including a salsa bar, will be provided. Free.

Lecture Series: New Mexico and the Coming of the Civil War
February 12, 7 p.m.
Dwight T. Pitcaithley, former historian for the National Parks Service, will discuss how the fateful election of 1860 turned not upon the abolition of slavery in the states, but on the future of the slavery in the New Mexico Territory in this revealing presentation. The lecture occurs on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Free.

Pioneer Toys and Games
February 21, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
For children in grades 3 through 6
What was life like before video games? What did pioneer children do for fun? Learn about and enjoy some of the popular games and toys of the 1800s. Children in the class will make a thaumatrope, a bean bag, spool toys, and play classic games such as “Button, button!” Pre-registration is required. $10.

Coming Soon: Cowboy Days
March 14-15
Don’t miss the museum’s biggest event of the year. A cowboy breakfast will kick off the festivities on both days and the celebration includes cowboy music, demonstrations, movies, gunfight re-enactments, horseback rides and many more activities. Watch for the March calendar for more details.

For more information, or to register for a workshop or class, call (575) 522-4100, or vist www.frhm.org

The Las Cruces Community Theatre presents, Phaedra February 20- March 8 at the Las Cruces Community Theatre. 

Based on Hippolytus by Euripides, this tragedy tells the story of the love triangle between Theseus, his wife Phaedra, and his illegitimate son (by the Amazon Hippolyta) Hippolytus.  While Theseus is away on an expedition, Phaedra falls in love with Hippolytus.  Meanwhile, Hippolytus has fallen in love with Aricia, the only survivor of the royal family who once ruled Athens.

The show is every Friday and Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm.  Ticket prices are: Adults $8, seniors $7 and children six and under $5. 

The Las Cruces Community Theatre was founded in 1963 and has been bringing the Las Cruces area entertaining plays for 46 years.  The first production was performed at St. Genevieve’s church in Mesilla, NM.  The theatre group moved to Las Cruces in 1977.

For more in formation, call (575) 532-1200 or visit their website at www.lcctnm.org. 

For a complete listing of events in Las Cruces, visit www.lascrucescvb.org.

Every photograph tells a story. Some are personal, others resound with universal themes. All are documentations of our pilgrimage through life. Throughout the month of March, New Mexico native David Salcido will celebrate his return to the land of his birth with an exhibition of 16 photographs documenting his journey back, entitled Pilgrim’s Progress. Exploring roads both familiar and exotic, the exhibition is a retrospective study of form, function and a fascination for relics of the past, both manmade and organic. The exhibition will open with an artist reception on Friday, March 6, 2009, from 5 – 7pm, as part of the Downtown Art Ramble, in the El Paso Electric Gallery at the historic Rio Grande Theatre, in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Born in Ruidoso, raised in Tularosa and a graduate of NMSU in Las Cruces, David Salcido has spent the last 25 years exploring other states and states of mind. Making his living primarily as a writer, he has published over 1000 articles, poems and short stories in national and regional magazines, newspapers, journals and anthologies. Art and photography, however, have always been driving interests. His very first art exhibit was at the now-defunct Las Cruces Community Center for the Arts at 207 Avenida de Mesilla (now Mesilla Pointe) and he has since taken part in group and solo shows in such diverse cities as El Paso, San Francisco and Phoenix.

Among his many other accomplishments are a stint in the movie industry with Paramount Pictures; the creation and publication of a series of children’s books, exploring ecology; founder and publisher of a critically-acclaimed literary arts journal; founder of two alternative theater companies; founder and co-owner of a Los Angeles-based public relations company catering to the independent film industry; founder and proprietor of a popular gallery and performance space in Phoenix, Arizona and writer of three produced plays. He currently finds himself back in Las Cruces. Where he goes from here is anybody’s guess.

Pilgrim’s Progress is open to the public throughout the month of March 2009. The El Paso Electric Gallery is located in the lobby of the newly refurbished Rio Grande Theatre, 211 North Main, on the Downtown Mall in Las Cruces. Gallery hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 2pm and on Saturday from 9am to Noon. For more information on this exhibit, call the artist at 602-384-7756 or send an e-mail to MythCreant@gmail.com. For information on the Rio Grande Theatre, call 575-523-6403.

For a complete listing of events in Las Cruces, visit www.lascrucescvb.org.

January 14, 2009

For more information, contact:

Chris Faivre

Media Publications Manager

(575) 541-2150

cfaivre@las-cruces.org

George Winston in concert at the Rio Grande Theatre in Las Cruces, NM

LAS CRUCES, NM – The Doña Ana Arts Council is pleased to present renowned pianist George Winston in concert at the Rio Grande Theatre in Las Cruces at 7.30 pm on Tuesday, January 27, 2009.

Inspired by the seasons, solo pianist George Winston plays over 100 solo piano concerts a year in America and beyond. His concerts feature a variety of styles, including his melodic folk piano, stride piano, New Orleans R&B piano, Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts pieces and more.

Winston has seven multi-platinum, platinum and gold records, including the Grammy-winning Forest. His latest album is entitled Gulf Coast Bules and Impressions – A Hurricane Relief Benefit.  In concert George will be performing songs from his latest album as well as selections from his seasonal favorites Autumn, December, Winter Into Spring and Summer as well as his themed albums Forest, Plains, and Montana – A Love Story and his albums dedicated to composers: Linus and Lucy – The Music of Vince Guaraldi and Night Divides the Day – The Music of the Doors.

Tickets are available in advance at Hubbard’s Music ‘N More, Mountain Music, White’s Music Box or by calling the Doña Ana Arts Council at (575) 523.6403. Advance purchase tickets are $15 for students and seniors (60+), $20 for general admission. On the day of the show, all tickets will be $25.

George Winston will donate a portion of his proceeds from this event to the Casa de Peregrinos food bank in Las Cruces. Please join us in support of Casa de Peregrinos by bringing a non-perishable food item to the concert.

For more information, call the Town of Mesilla at (575) 524-3262 ext. 116.

DATE: January 12, 2009                                        file: Great Ceramics

CONTACT: Joy Miller, Exhibitions Curator               Phone: 575/541-2221

*Attachments: “Squared Vase” by Shoji Hamada; “Black Water Serpent Plate” by Maria Poveka Martinez and Santana Martinez

Last Chance to See Great Ceramics at Las Cruces Museum of Art

Saturday, January 24th marks the end of the Las Cruces Museum of Art’s current exhibit, “Innovation and Change: Great Ceramics from the Ceramics Research Center, Arizona State University Art Museum Collection”.

Don’t miss your chance to see more than 70 masterworks by many of the leading international artists of our time. The exhibit offers a panoramic survey of the potential of clay as an expressive art form. Art on display includes functional ware, such as work by British potter Bernard Leach, Shoji Hamada – a forerunner in the Japanese folk art movement, and Pueblo artists Nampeyo and Maria Martinez. 

Sculptural ceramics are also represented, including pieces by figurative artist Stephen DeStaebler and Robert Arneson – father of the ceramic funk movement.  Influenced by European modernist design, as well asian pottery traditions, these ceramic pioneers created a new American aesthetic.

The showing here in Las Cruces is part of a 10 city national tour over a three year period. The exhibition was curated by Peter Held, Curator of Ceramics and was developed and managed by Smith Kramer Fine Art Services, as exhibition tour development company in Kansas City, Missouri.

All exhibits and receptions at the Museum of Art, located at 491 N. Main St. in the downtown mall, are accessible and free to the public.

For more information about exhibits and Studio Programs art classes, please call 575/541-2137 or visit the website http://museums.las-cruces.org. The TTY number is 575/541-2161.