Archives for July 2016

Art Up Northern New Mexico Board of Directors

Back row: Mary Harms-Vice President, Claudette Maitland- Director, Jo Mixon-President, Wende Woolley-Secretary, Bob Bear, Cyndi Simon, Diane Peterson, Julia Margaret Brigham, Dominic Serna- Directors
Front row: Linda Trujillo- Treasurer, Jacqui Binford-Bell & Johnese Turri- Directors
Not pictured: Heather Pritchard, Beth TaFoya & Loretta Tollefson, Directors

Last weekend almost 500 people attended Art-Up Northern New Mexico’s 35th Annual ArtsFest. It was held once again at the Angel Fire Community Center, so that more artists could be added to the venue. Thirty-two talented high-quality artist displayed and sold their works of art. ArtsFest is just one of the many programs sponsored by Art Up Northern New Mexico (formerly the Moreno Valley Arts Council). We are responsible for bringing Missoula Children’s Theatre every summer and we coordinate and sponsor art programs and workshops in the area schools. We are the sponsor of the Artistic Vistas and Treasures Art Trail that runs from Raton into the Taos Canyon, through Angel Fire and out to Black Lake. Many of our local artists do not have store fronts, but sell out of their homes. The Trail gives them added advertising to help drive traffic into their studios and galleries.

Art Up Northern New Mexico is a not for profit 501c(3) membership organization consisting of artists and patrons of the arts. We are committed to promoting artists and artisans, who enrich the area with their diverse talents and skills. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and depend upon multiple volunteers throughout the year to make our programs and events successful. We are financially supported by grants, membership dues, ticket/booth and show fees and donations. These funds provide for promotions, programs, and operational expenses. Volunteer help and donations are always needed and appreciated. Art Up Northern New Mexico wants everyone to be able to express themselves through art. We strive to challenge artists to explore their creativity and stretch their skills and exposure!

What’s Up with Art Up? There are a few fun new items on the horizon for Art Up Northern New Mexico. A fifteen member volunteer Board of Directors has been seated. Each of these directors represent a different genre of art. The scope includes visual art, dance, performing art, written art, fabric art, culinary art, musical art, photography, and patrons of the arts. These people are working tirelessly behind the scenes on some new projects. The first is, trying to bring a Studio Tour to the area, hopefully in the fall when the leaves are changing. And we are going to have Pop-up venues for artist workshops and retail sales in the fall and winter months. But the largest project we are working on is to bring an Art Center to Angel Fire. This Art Center will encompass all of the arts. We have big goals and believe (and invite) the community to get behind these goals to bring this vision to fruition. A Building Committee has been working on this project, with a fund-raising/ building consultant for about a year. We are almost ready to role out our plans to the public. Be looking for the date! We will have a big gala as a kickoff to explain our future plans and continue our fundraising efforts. We hope that you will be as excited as we are! Angel Fire needs a home for the Arts and we are working to make it happen….SOON!

If you would like to join Art Up Northern New Mexico, you may do so by visiting our website at www.artup-nnm.org or call 575-377-6273. We have multiple levels of membership participation.

Annual Dues and levels of membership: Artist: $20.00, Art Patron: $35.00, Business Patron/Sponsor: $100.00, Lifetime Membership: $350.00. As a member you will receive 10% off at all events and programs by showing your membership card. Angel Fire Computer Guy will give members 33% off for yearly computer virus cleaning and maintenance. You will receive 15% off all items at Ski Tech. Ask about member discounts at Shall We Dance, and more benefits are added as we gain more member sponsors.

Definitions of the levels of membership: Artist – Producing artist who sells or shows, performs or publishes their own original work. You must be willing to participate in at least one program each year, be willing to teach a class or a workshop, and volunteer. Art Patron – Open to anyone who appreciates and promotes the arts. You must be willing to volunteer for a committee or at least one program each year. Business – Owner membership for the year. Logo on the ArtUP website and receive Sponsorship discounts. Lifetime – Patron membership for life for one individual.

Step Up, Sign Up, Come Up to Art Up!

Best of Show winner Jennifer Cavan and judge Ed Sandoval

Linda, Bob, and Jo with Chris Turri, Metal Sculptor from Corales, NM, who was awarded 1st Place in Fine Craft, the Most Creative Award, and the People’s Choice Award.

Jo and Michael McCullough, Artist from Placitos, NM- 1st Place Fine Arts

Wende Woolley- 1st Place Photography from Angel Fire, NM

Linda, Bob, and Jo with 1st Place in Jewelry winner, Lyra Fiset from Taos, NM

Krystyn Waszak artist from Albuquerque, with a studio in Taos, too.

Jeanette Sanchez with handmade furniture by Angel Fire artist, Ray Renfroe

Local Eagle Nest artist Katherine McDermott with art patrons

Jessica Duke, local photographer from Eagle Nest, NM

The winning booth, Angel Fire artist, Jennifer Cavan

1st Solo performance by Madison Mutz enjoyed by H2 Uptown caterers and ArtsFest Premiere attendees

Kathleen Criswell, JJ Huddleston, Sue Cotton, and Pam Hasford, dance troupe with Shall We Dance and music by Kara Mutz were Premiere night’s entertainment.

Art Up NNm sponsored Children’s Missoula Theatre performance of Pinocchio in June

Photos courtesy of Jo Mixon, Ellen Goins, Wende Woolley, and Michael Turri.