Darrol F. Shillingburg on wed 11 sep 96
On Tue, 10 Sep 1996, Laura Freedman wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Friends of mine (potter and painter), will be traveling to New Mexico
> area next month - Las Cruces, Bisbee, Silver City, Lordsboro and some
> other places near there. Are there any interesting galleries, potters to
> meet or anything you can think of that might be of interest to them.TIA
> lauras@epix.net
>
Laura,
There are a couple of interesting galleries in Old Messilla (near Las Cruces)
that show local potters and painters, particularly the Adobe Patio Gallery,
there is also some interesting local history and architecture in that area. The
Brannagan Cultural Center located in the "Downtown Mall" in Las Cruces is an
interesting visit as well as a place to find information on local art/cultural
events. There is a museum on the New Mexico State University campus on
University, and a gallery in the new main mall just off Hy 25.
Silver City has a vigorous art community with interesting galleries (mostly
downtown) The cooperative gallery can connect one with local artists, and there
is a monthly organized open studio (one Saturday a month) sponsored by the San
Visciente Artists. Contact Dave Carolous at the Victorian Gallery 505/ 538-0263,
505/ 538-0904 for information. WNMSU has already been mentioned in another post.
Lordsburg is a wash.There is a Center for the Arts in Deming (505/546-3663) that
shows local artists. Bisbee is in Arizona and may be a wash also. (It's only a
gas stop for me).
Roswell is not far from Las Cruces (by NM standards). The Roswell Museum Art
Center (505/624-6744) is both high quality and locally active. The Pecos Valley
Potters Association may be of interest also. Contact Aria Finch at 505/622-6907
or Lori, lorwilk@lookingglass.net (also on this forum) There are also two UFO
Museums (organizations) in Roswell.
Carlsbad Caverns is worthy of a day spent underground. There is also a wildlife
preserve in Carlsbad. The Carlsbad Museum Art Center (505/887-0276) shows art
and history.
White Sands National Monument is a must see, when in the area. The white gypsum
sands are unique. Try it at sunset, the color effects and spacial illusions can
drive a painter nuts. Full Moon Tours are available through October.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory, ( 505/ 835-7000),"Very Large Array" is
a fascinating sight and a little visited area in NM. Visitors are welcomed. It's
about three hours north of Las Cruces on Hy 60 west out of Soccorro. One can
often see Antelope on that high plain also.
Albuquerque is three and half hour drive north from Las Cruces, but is certainly
worth a day or two for galleries and museums. The Albuquerque Museum is an
interesting mixture of local art and history. The Maxwell Museum at UNM is
always interesting as is the University Art Museum and the Johnson Gallery/UNM,
and the Galleries are too numberous to mention. There is a published gallery
guide for Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Toas. (see below) The Harwood Art Center of
Escuela del Sol Montessori (505/242-6367) is an art community with studios and a
small gallery. A great source for local arts/artists information. A call to
Albuquerque United Artists (505/ 243-5031) will get you information on much of
the Albuquerque art scene.
Santa Fe and Taos are The "Center of the Art World in New Mexico" The best way
to approach them is to use the Wingspread Collector's Guide (see below). Most of
the Indian Arts are available in the north. For indian pottery is think it's
best to visit the individual pueblos.
If you are in the "north" A trip to Abiqui and Ghost Ranch in worth the time.
There is an interesting Museum at Ghost Ranch and one can schedule a tour
through the O'keefe home. The scenery ain't bad either. Christ in the Desert
Monestery is open to the public and located in one of the most peacefull places
in the west, at the end of 20plus miles of dirt road on the Rio Chama. ( inquire
at Ghost Ranch) If the road is dry it's in good condition, if not, don't do it!
It's worth the effort to hang out in the atmosphere and there's a great
bookstore there also and the scenery ain't bad either, perhaps at it's best in
October!
The Wingspread Collector's Guide:Gateway to the Arts of New Mexico and the
American Southwest is available on the World Wide Web
at http://www.wingspread.com/ or through Wingspread Incorporated, P.O. Box
13566-M, Albuquerque, NM 87192, 1-800-873-4278. EMAIL artinfo@wingspread.com.
There is a weekly art news update on the web site.
There is a well known art community and several galleries at Madrid, an hour or
so NE of Albuquerque on Hy14. And there is a less well known budding art
community at Mountainair on Hy14 an hour and a half SE of Albuquerque. The
cooperative gallery on main street (hard to miss) will provide local information
or one can ask at the Hummingird Cafe on 14N. The old school house has been
converted to gallery, studio, living space by a couple of long time and
interesting artists. This area seems to be attracting some "escape artists"
(they are a breed apart) from other more populated areas.
The Geronimo Springs Museum in Truth or Conquences sometimes shows local artists
and has a very credible collection of Mimbres Pottery. There is also the local
historical bit. A soak the mineral baths ain't bad! ( if you are in to that kind
of experience) I prefer the "Artesian". I am a life long artist,
painter/potter/etc. and would be interested in meeting others so inclined. I am
currently doing handbuilding, low temperature burnished and midtemp "reduction
cooled" vessels. Elephant Butte is 5 miles from T or C.
A current of New Mexico Magazine ( 505/336-8077, Las Cruces Office) would give
a schedule of events and many additional places to go. Hope your friends enjoy
the "Land of Enchantment."
Darrol
P.O. Box 1054
Elephant Butte, NM 87935
505/744-5143
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