Archive for the ‘CVB News’ Category

Get ready Las Cruces! The Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market is a contestant in the 2010 America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest. The Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market is currently ranked number one in New Mexico and 9th on the list of top 20 markets in the nation with 56 or more active vendors.

To increase Las Cruces’ rank, vote for the market online at www.farmland.org/vote

The America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest is hosted each year by American Farmland Trust (AFT). The online contest is a nationwide challenge to see which of America’s farmers markets can rally the most support from their communities. At the end of the contest, on August 31st, one large, medium, small, and boutique sized farmers market will win the title of “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” for 2010.

Farmers markets are a vital link between local farms and their supporting communities, providing fresh and healthy food and an experience that cannot be matched anywhere else. By partnering with farmers market managers, AFT is encouraging consumers to consider the importance of farmland and to support local farmers.

In 2011, the Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts market will be celebrating its 40th anniversary, and making it to the number one spot in the nation would be the pinnacle of success. Anyone can vote in support of their region’s farmers, community and market. To vote for the Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market, please go to www.farmland.org/vote.

“Farmers markets are one of the best ways for consumers to support local farms and farmers,” says Julia Freedgood, Managing Director for AFT’s Growing Local Initiative. “A great way to find seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, farmers markets also support public health and economic development opportunities in our communities.” The 2007 U.S. Agricultural Census reports a 49 percent growth in sales from farms directly to consumers since 2002-representing $1.2 billon that stayed in local communities. But at the same time, more than 800,000 acres of farmland are developed each year – most around cities where there is the greatest demand for local food. “We need to make the connection: there’s no local food without local farms and farmland,” says Freedgood.

AFT is a national nonprofit organization working with farmers and ranchers to protect the land, produce a healthier environment, and build successful communities. As the nation’s leading advocate for farm and ranch land conservation, AFT has ensured that more than three million acres of land stay bountiful and productive. AFT’s national office is located in Washington, D.C. The phone number is 202-331-7300.www.farmland.org

For more information about the Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market, please contact Eric Montgomery at 575-541-2288 or fcmarket@las-cruces.org.

The First Annual Plein Air Competition & Community Arts Festival September 11 & 12, 2010

Following a popular trend which draws upon the French expression en plein air, meaning “in the open air,” the Doña Ana Arts Council (DAAC) proudly presents the first Color Las Cruces Plein Air Competition and Community Arts Festival, September 11 & 12, 2010. The premiere event will be two full days of ongoing activities in Downtown Las Cruces, featuring an artist workshop, a “Quickdraw” competition, two Plein Air competitions, a VIP Artist Reception and a Citywide gallery hop.

 During the event weekend, juried artists will compete for cash and merchandise prizes in one of two Plein Air categories. To compete, artists will go to an outdoor location in Las Cruces during a four-hour period on Saturday morning, where they will begin and complete a painting, then return with the finished piece. A Quickdraw competition will also take place during the Farmer’s Market, in front of the Rio Grande Theatre. These artists will have one hour to complete a drawing or painting and finished work will be displayed and judged by the public for prizes. Artists can register prior to the competition at the theatre.

Winners of the two Plein Air categories will be announced Saturday evening at the VIP Artist Reception at the Rio Grande Theatre, where attendees can meet the artists, sample food from the best restaurants in town, enjoy wine from local wineries and take in a live performance on the theatre stage. A public exhibit and sale of completed paintings will take place in participating galleries on Sunday afternoon, from noon until 4pm, with artists in attendance.

As an added treat, on Thursday, September 9 and Friday, September 10, Denver artist Kevin Wechbach will give a two-day Plein Air workshop, which is open to artists of all levels. Wechbach will also act as guest judge of the Plein Air competition on Saturday. The class size will be limited for personal instruction and a fee will be charged for the workshop, so attendees should contact the Doña Ana Arts Council immediately to reserve space.

Color Las Cruces is sponsored in part by the City of Las Cruces, the Las Cruces Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, The New Mexico Tourism Department, the Frame and Art Center and Out Of The Blue. For artist entry applications, workshop enrollment and/or any general information, call (575) 523-6403 or visit www.Las-Cruces-Arts.org.

Mike Beckett, owner of COAS Bookstore and long time Las Cruces supporter, has been appointed to the Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Advisory Board by Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.

As a native of Las Cruces, Beckett had become a strong voice in the Las Cruces community. After graduating from New Mexico State University, Beckett went to work for his father in the family book business. Twenty years later, he bought the business from his father and he and his wife currently operate COAS Bookstores. He has served as president of the Las Cruces Downtown, chair of the City of Las Cruces’ ad-hoc committee on economic development for the strategic plan, is currently on the board of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce and is an incoming board member of the Las Cruces Rio Grande Rotary Club.

“I have always loved the Las Cruces community for its people, diverse culture and livability,” said Beckett. “As a member of the CVB advisory board, I hope to bring a fresh perspective.”

The Mayor also reappointed current members Dr. Janet Green and Mark Santiago.

Green is head of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at New Mexico State University. She served as the Cabinet Secretary of Tourism under former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson from 1995-2002.  She was also the recipient of the 1998 Tourism Association of New Mexico’s ‘Professional of the Year award.”

Santiago is the Director of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum and a member of the Las Cruces Rotary Club.

All CVB Advisory Board members are appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council, and serve a three year term with the Mayor having the option to appoint them for a second term.  The board meets the last Wednesday of the month from September through May.

Hampton Hotels has honored the Hampton Inn & Suiteslocated at 2350 E. Griggs in Las Cruces, NM with the company’s Lighthouse Award, designating it as one of the top performing Hampton hotels in the country.

The property was recognized for its high rankings in overall accommodations, service and quality. The award criteria was based on customer feedback measured through guest satisfaction surveys, as well as product quality and service scores measured quarterly by the Hilton/Hampton Hotel brands. 

The “Lighthouse Award” was presented to the property this past March in Dallas, TX, ranking it in the top 5% of Hampton hotels in the United States.

“Thank you, Las Cruces and all surrounding areas for embracing us and for your continued support,” said General Manager Belia Alvarez. “We are incredibly humbled and grateful to be placed in this category.”

The hotel is managed by Premier Hospitality Property and is one of 1,800 Hampton properties worldwide.

“Our goal is to build life-long relationships with our guests and to invent reasons for them to come back to our little corner in “The Land of Enchantment,” said Alvarez.  “Our motto – “We love having you here” – has become a very contagious phrase and our award shows our commitment to it.”

The hotel was also awarded the “Top Performer Award” in 2008 by Hampton, the “Wall of Fame Award” in 2007 and a National Hampton Spirit Award was presented to Bonnie Caldwell, the hotel’s office manager, recognizing her as a “true hospitality leader and for presenting extraordinary service and commitment to guests and teammates.” 

For more information, contact Belia Alvarez at (575) 527-8777.

Who: Jerry Hernandez
What: Artwork on display 
When: April 2010 
Where: The Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau lobby gallery
Contact: (575) 541-2150

Local artist chosen as artist of the month for the Convention & Visitors Bureau’s visitors lobby gallery

LAS CRUCES, NM – During the month of April, a collection of Jerry Hernandez’s artwork will be on display and available for sale, in the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau lobby, located at 211 N. Water Street.

With dynamic color combinations and techniques inspired by the late artist Bob Ross, Hernandez’s work features a variety dynamic landscapes that truly highlight his unique style.

Entitled, “Imaginary Places,” the series of landscape paintings feature landscapes from “imaginary places,” Hernandez “visits,” in his mind.  The paintings feature a distinctive wet-on-wet technique Hernandez uses to blend vibrant colors into his work.

A Las Cruces native, Hernandez became interested in painting at a very young age and continued to paint on-and-off throughout the years, sometimes setting painting aside for long periods of time. Hernandez’ renewed interest in painting began over ten years ago when Hernandez met his future wife who encouraged him to pursue his passion more aggressively. Hernandez has a number of paintings in public and private collections throughout the area.

Each month the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau features artwork from a local artist in the visitors lobby gallery. The Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau is located at 211 N. Water Street in Las Cruces, NM. For more information contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at (575) 541-2150.

Who: Margaret Bernstein
What: Artwork on display 
When: March 2010 
Where: Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau Lobby Gallery
Contact: (575) 541-2150

Local watercolor artist chosen as artist of the month for the Convention & Visitors Bureau’s visitors lobby gallery
 
LAS CRUCES, NM – During the month of March, a collection of Margaret Bernstein’s work will be on display and available for sale, in the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau lobby, located at 211 N. Water Street.
 
Inspired by many elements of the natural and cultural environment of the Southwest, Bernstein’s work often brings out the beauty of the natural Southwestern environment with a rich depth of color to and unique style all her own.
 
“Coming to the Southwest triggered an acute awareness of refreshing, yet fragile artifacts and natural environments,” said Bernstein in a statement on the New Mexico Water Color Society website.
 
As a fifth-generation female artist, Bernstein seems to hold a special connection to artists of generations past, noting that, “at the core of my love of painting is the awe and fascination I hold for the land and the creativity of its earliest inhabitants… they have contributed greatly to the artistic climate modern artists experience in the Southwest,” said Bernstein in a statement the Artists of the Southwest website.
 
Many of the paintings on display have vivid color schemes that depict the beauty of the natural Southwestern environment. As an added component to Bernstein’s work, two of the pieces on display also incorporate poetry by Rick Bernstein.
 
“March is an especially provocative time to consider the mountains so dear to Las Cruces,” said Bernstein while explaining the “renewed longing that arises for walking trails, hiking, and viewing wildflowers,” that often accompanies the seasonal transition into Spring.
 
Painting in a variety of mediums, from acrylic to watercolor, Bernstein’s work has been exhibited in a number of galleries throughout the Mesilla Valley.
 
Each month the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau features artwork from a local artist in the visitors lobby gallery. The Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau is located at 211 N. Water Street in Las Cruces, NM. For more information contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at (575) 541-2150.

Who: Judy Bess
What: Artwork on display 
When: February 2010 
Where: Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau Lobby Gallery
Contact: (575) 541-2150

Local acrylic artist chosen as artist of the month for the Convention & Visitors Bureau’s visitors lobby gallery
 
LAS CRUCES, NM – During the month of February, a collection of Judy Bess’s work will be on display and available for sale, in the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau lobby, located at 211 N. Water Street.
 
Self-titled a contemporary colorist, Bess uses a rich variety of colors which “capture the vivaciousness and beauty of the desert southwest,” in a distinct style all her own.
 
After teaching art at the high school level, Bess entered the corporate world, where she spent 28 years in a variety of corporate and managerial positions. Despite being in the business world, Bess continued to cultivate her love of art by creating illustrations for a number of civic organization publications and even drawings for a children’s book.
 
Bess returned to painting after she retired and moved to New Mexico. Bess’s work encompasses a variety of subjects from landscapes to historic buildings and is featured in galleries in Mesilla, NM and Ozona, TX. Bess’s work can also be found in a variety of national and international private collections.
 
Bess received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree at Wayne State University and her Master’s of Arts degree at Oakland University. Bess has also recently studied with Annetta Hoover and Nancy Frost Begin.
 
Each month the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau features artwork from a local artist in the visitors lobby gallery. The Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau is located at 211 N. Water Street in Las Cruces, NM. For more information contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at (575) 541-2150.

Who: Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau
What: Collection of Janey Walch’s artwork on display
When: December 2009
Where: Convention & Visitors Bureau’s visitors lobby gallery
Contact: (575) 541-2150

Local watercolorist chosen as artist of the month for the Convention & Visitors Bureau’s visitors lobby gallery

LAS CRUCES, NM – During the month of December, an eight piece collection of Janey Walch’s work will be on display and available for sale, in the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau lobby, located at 211 N. Water Street.

With a variety of whimsical watercolor works, Walch continues to paint a wide variety of subjects while expressing her creativity which she describes as a soul-deep tickle that she relieves through painting.

Walch’s paintings often convey a rich appreciation of everyday items and situations, which Walch attributes to a variety of career paths and years of travel that gave her a better appreciation of everyday things.

Walch’s paintings have been displayed in a variety of juried and non-juried shows throughout New Mexico and Wisconsin.  Walch is currently working towards attaining a Signature Member status in the New Mexico Watercolor Society.

Each month the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau features artwork from a local artist in the visitors lobby gallery. The Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau is located at 211 N. Water Street in Las Cruces, NM. For more information contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at (575) 541-2150.

Who: Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau
What: Collection of Virginia Romero’s artwork on display
When: November 2009
Where: Convention & Visitors Bureau’s visitors lobby gallery
Contact: (575) 541-2150

Local artist chosen as artist of the month for the Convention & Visitors Bureau’s visitors lobby gallery

LAS CRUCES, NM – During the month of November, a collection of Virginia Maria Romero’s work will be on display and available for sale, in the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau lobby, located at 211 N. Water Street.

Using hand collected ground pigments, water-soluble pigments, hand carved pine and homemade piñon sap varnish and wax, it’s easy to see the sheer level of pride and craftsmanship Romero puts into her work. 

Using a variety of different formats and mediums, Romero creates contemporary designs with unique colors and styles that often include southwestern inspired elements that often encompass the culture and traditions of the Mesilla Valley.

With art pieces featured both nationally and internationally in museums and private collections, Romero’s art has spanned the globe exhibiting its unique contemporary designs and Northern New Mexico style. Romero’s work has been selected for collections that include: Basilica of San Albino, El Museo Cultural of Santa Fe, the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, Mesilla Town Hall, Maria Stein Heritage Museum/National Marian Shrine of the Holy Relics, Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine and Parish, and The Friars of the Sick Poor of Los Angeles.

Self-taught, Romero describes her artwork as, “inspired by life’s changes,” and often features religious and nature inspired elements in her artwork.

Each month the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau features artwork from a local artist in the visitors lobby gallery. The Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau is located at 211 N. Water Street in Las Cruces, NM. For more information contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at (575) 541-2150.

Who: Las Cruces Museum of Art
What: Lecture on European and American Art Collectors
When: Saturday, June 20, 2009
Where: Rio Grande Theatre is located at 211 N. Downtown Mall
Contact: (575) 541-2215

On Saturday, June 20th Debbie Rindge and Mireille Dohmen will present their joint lecture “Collecting Art: Europe and the United States, a Cross-Cultural Perspective” at the Rio Grande Theatre, beginning at 12:30 pm.  Presented in conjunction with the “Las Cruces Collects” exhibit currently on display at the Las Cruces Museum of Art, the lecture will discuss the similarities and differences between European and American collecting sensibilities.  A short history of collecting (on both sides of the Atlantic), images of collectible works of art, stories about well-known collectors and the legacies they left behind will be included.

Debbie Rindge is an art historian and the owner of Mirari Fine Art Consulting in Las Cruces. She received her Ph.D. in American Art History from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her publications include catalogues of the collections of American art in the Columbus Museum of Art in Ohio and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Mireille Dohmen worked as a kindergarten teacher for over 20 years.  After marrying surrealist Leo Dohmen (1929-1999), she managed the Gallery Den Tijd and organized exhibitions of contemporary art.  For the past ten years, she has been working on a retrospective of her late husband’s work for the Museum of Photography in Charleroi, Belgium.

 The Rio Grande Theatre is located at 211 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces.  Exhibition hours for “Las Cruces Collects” are Monday-Friday, 10AM – 4PM, and Saturday, 9AM – 1PM. Admission is free. Funded by the City of Las Cruces, the Las Cruces Museum of Art is located at 491 North Main Street, at the north end of the Downtown Mall. Call 541-2137, or visit http://museums.las-cruces.org, for more information on museum exhibits and Studio Program art classes.

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