D  e  s  e  r  t     E  x  p  o  s  u  r  e     March 2005

Black Sun, woodcut by Louis Ocepek

Ocepek Brings Myths to Life

Louis Ocepek, an NMSU art professor emeritus whose work is highlighted in a new show, "Ritual Figures," in the Director's Gallery of the Las Cruces Museum of Fine Art, says, "For many years, the content of my work has been derived from my interest in archaeology, history, music and world culture. I am particularly fascinated by the spiritual potency of ritual figures as they have been expressed in various societies throughout time. In my prints I try to portray the heroic strength of these metaphysical personalities, creating a body of work I call Mythic Archaeology."

"Ritual Figures," an exhibit of Ocepek's prints and print media, will be on view March 2-30. The public is invited to a reception for the artist on Saturday, March 5, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Ocepek, who taught at New Mexico State University from 1985-2002, holds degrees from Wayne State University and the University of Iowa. He taught first at Montana State University, then established a professional design studio in Vancouver, BC, Canada. His teaching career took him to Portland State University, back to Montana State, and finally to NMSU, while continuing a career as a designer and illustrator.

His artworks in graphic design, printmaking and illustration have been exhibited nationally and internationally and are found in numerous collections. Recent exhibits include a solo show at NMSU and exhibits in Albuquerque, El Paso and London, England.

Ocepek is currently using conventional and digital media to make relief constructions, digital prints and illustrations. Describing the process of his work, Ocepek says, "Many of my recent prints are hybrids; combinations of relief, screen, digital and monoprinting techniques, often requiring as many as 15 separate printings. This process encourages the creation of rich layers of color and texture, which form a lush backdrop for the more graphic and linear ritual figures. Other recent works are more conventional in technique; screenprints created by the successive overprinting of multiple stencils, often using as many as 25 individual colors, hand-printed one at a time, and woodcuts, produced and printed in the traditional Japanese manner, using archival papers and inks."

The Las Cruces Museum of Fine Art is located at 490 N. Water St., in the downtown mall. It is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. All museum exhibits and opening receptions are free of charge. For information, call 541-2137.

Duncklee Reaches for the Skies in Watercolor

The fabulous New Mexico skies had long intrigued watercolorist Penny Duncklee, and she was not disappointed when she eventually moved here a few years ago. Her love of nature influences and inspires the landscapes she executes, which range from postcard size to full sheets of watercolor paper. Duncklee will exhibit a group of new works at the Tombaugh Gallery, located in the Unitarian Universalist Church at 2000 South Solano Dr., Las Cruces. The show is entitled "A Visual Diary of Beautiful Moments." The show opening and artist's reception will be held Saturday, March 5, from 3-5 p.m.

Duncklee attended Sweet Briar College and is a graduate of Duke University. A self-taught artist, she occasionally attends workshops. Her work has appeared locally and regionally and in national juried shows. She has been an illustrator for books written by her husband John. Together they won the Author of the Year award in 2003 from the Friends of the Branigan Library.

She says she delights in finding subject matter that eludes the casual viewer, such as the rapid change of color on rocks and trees as the sun moves imperceptibly across the sky. She looks for the subtle and fleeting colors of objects caused by the play of light and shadow. "It is my wish," says Duncklee, "that the viewer will be awakened to the stunning variety of color in nature."

Women in Art at White Raven

More than a dozen women will be featured in a new show, "Women in Art, Sharing Their Lives with Non-Profit Organizations," at White Raven Studios. The show opens March 5 with an opening reception from 4-6 p.m. and the exhibit continues through April 2. The artists in this show celebrating Women's History Month include Mary Anne Redding, Sharon Bode-Hempton, Irene Oliver Lewis, Sandy Zane, Georjeanna Feltha, Sherry Doil-Carter, Sylvia Bowers, Cecilia Lewis, Carol Blue, Maria Navarro Pino, Emily Stout, Connie Anaya, June Decker, Tomisita Rodriguez and Sara McNie Flores. White Raven Studios, which also offers a schedule of art classes and workshops, is located at 425 W. Griggs Ave. in Las Cruces. For more information, call 525-9543 or 526-1636.

Openings and Opportunities

On Friday, March 4, the New Mexico Watercolor Society, Southern Chapter, will open the second half of its For the Love of the Rio Grande exhibit, "Wild Things Where They Are." Twenty-four works in watermedia will illustrate a variety of wildlife around the river. The public is invited to an artists' reception at the Cottonwood Gallery, Southwest Environmental Center, 275 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces, from 5-7 p.m. The exhibit will continue through March. For further information, contact SWEC at 522-5552.

Silver Cooks & Flowerings in Silver City will feature an exhibit of recent work by Gabriela Denton. The exhibit opens Friday, March 18, with a reception from 4-8 p.m. Silver Cooks & Flowerings is at 215 W. Yankie, 534-4514.

Unravel Yarn Shop and Gallery in Las Cruces is featuring an exhibit on "The Figure," celebrating the feminine spirit through sculpture, photography and jewelry. Artists for the exhibit, which continues through March, are Lynn Unangst, Elaine Querry, Cynthia Clark and Gail Mestas. Unravel is located at 300 N. Downtown Mall; for information, call 647-1181 or see www.unravel-yarn-shop.com.

La Prensa/Southwest Printmakers is calling for portfolio submissions from artist printmakers in the Southwest area who are interested in applying for membership. A minimum of 10 handprints is required for review. Portfolio may be dropped off or mailed. Include bio, resume and artist statement with your packet, as well as a SASE for return shipping if necessary. Call Ouida Touchón, 635-7899, or email ouida@ouidatouchon.com.

"Precious Desert" will be the March art exhibit at the Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau by Las Cruces watercolor artist Margaret Bernstein. The show commemorates the New Mexico Heritage Alliance's selection of the NASA Withdrawal and Cemetery as a Most Endangered Place, 2005. The 2,800 acres known as the NASA Withdrawal currently is under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, and soon could be among lands made available for trade or sale. The exhibit illustrates the opportunity to preserve this public land as public open space, thus preventing river-to-mountain development around Tortugas Mountain, east of NMSU and north of the Bruce King Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. The Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau is at 211 N. Water St., 541-2444.

Back to top of page.