New Mexico: The State Different July 20, 2007
The premier event for NMCF’s 21st Century Luminarias and Legacy Project is scheduled for July 20, 2007. Entitled New Mexico: The State Different, the show will be curated by Doug Brown of the August Gallery and will feature the auction of an “Edition of One” Photographic Fine Art portrait print of a New Mexico Luminaria.
The New Mexico Community Foundation has announced its 21st Century Luminarias and Legacy Project, which will celebrate New Mexico’s people and their communities through public education and benefit events. “Luminarias are the community “lights”, the people who are deeply committed to their community and actively participate in improving the heritage, well being and economic base of their community,” said Gay Dillingham, NMCF Santa Fe Advisory Committee. “People are New Mexico’s greatest asset, and we hope that this project will allow us to shine a light on our treasured citizens and the work they do.”
The July 2007 event, during the PhotoArts Santa Fe Biennial, will inaugurate the project, the result of collaboration between the honored Luminarias and the Fine Arts photographic community, represented by PhotoArts Santa Fe, August Gallery, William S. Siegal Gallery and Niman Fine Arts Gallery. The project’s goal is to create iconographic images of New Mexico Luminarias, capturing the powerful and creative expression of New Mexico’s Fine Art photographers and the deep roots, imagination and legacy of inspirational community leaders.
These images will be archived to share with future generations. The auction and portfolio sales will benefit the NMCF Community Fund. Prior to the event, the show will be available for public viewing at Niman Fine Arts Gallery in Santa Fe from July 11-18, giving an opportunity to discover both Luminarias and New Mexico’s Fine Art photographers. A reception at Niman Fine Arts Gallery on July 13 will officially open the show. The New Mexico Community Foundation will be a sponsor, a convener and a collaborative partner in these events, striving to build greater community awareness, strengthen partnerships and create opportunities for New Mexicans throughout the state to participate, contribute and benefit from this series of events.
Added Yolanda Nava, NMCF Santa Fe Advisory Committee, “We’re delighted to be able to work with the Fine Arts community to celebrate our Luminarias, and we would hope to evolve this collaboration into a biennial event. Our wonderful neighbors and photographers deserve recognition for their great work. Together with the Fine Arts community, we have the opportunity to provide inspiration to this and future generations of New Mexico’s community leaders.”
Among the Luminarias to be celebrated are:
Tony Abeyta, Taos
Herman Agoyo, Ohkay Owingeh
Denise Chavez, Las Cruces
Mary Lou Cook, Santa Fe
Diane Denish, Lt. Governor
Maria Estela de Rios, Albuquerque
Tom Joyce, Santa Fe
Trevor Hawkins, Santa Fe
Susan Herter, Santa Fe
Marsha Mason, Abiqui
Ali McGraw, Santa Fe
Dan Namingha, Santa Fe
John Nichols,Taos
Ana Pacheco, Albuquerque
Abe & Marian Silver, Santa Fe
Doug Schwartz, Santa Fe
Wes Studie, Santa Fe
J.Paul Taylor, Mesilla
Garrett Thornburg, Santa Fe
Stewart Udall, Santa Fe
Nancy Wirth, Santa Fe
Fine Art photographers participating in the Project include: Tim Anderson, Joan Baker, Gay Block, Polly Brown, Linda Lyn Carfagno, Bob Diven, Jennifer Esperanza, Anne Hayunga, Jack Kotz, Lisa Law, Kitty Leaken, Claire Lighton, Mary J. Mann, Julien McRoberts, Peter Ogilvy, Steffanie OHanlon, Malie Rich-Griffith, Paul Slaughter, Susan Slotter, Matt Suhre, Eric Swanson, Josef Tornick, Don Usner. More information on the New Mexico Community Foundation is available at www.nmcf.org