Lois Duffy Art Gallery, 211 N. Texas St., is featuring hand crafted rockers by Silver City master craftsman Robert Winston through the holidays. Also available are fine paintings by Lois Duffy. Open Saturdays from 10 to 3 p.m. or by appointment. Info: www.loisduffy.com or 575-313-9631.
At Light Art Space “Facing Forward,” is a juried exhibition of handmade prints, including photographic processes, created by women of color. During this time of unrest and uncertainty, this exhibition seeks to present works by women of color that speak to the future in challenging and inspiring ways. This exhibition continues through Jan. 2, 2021. “New Perspectives” includes recent work by Karen Hymer, Mimi Calise Peterson, Claudia Porcelli and Carmen Ruiz. This exhibition features a variety of media including painting, printmaking, fashion and photography. Also on view is the work of Light Art Space gallery artists Joel Armstrong, Valerie Galloway, Eugene Starobinskiy and Art Peterson. The gallery is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday – Saturday and by appointment. Social distancing is observed and masks required. Info: www.lightartspace.com.
The fifth annual Arte Chicano Exhibit is currently at the Silver City Museum. The exhibition series is a chance for the museum to support and celebrate Chicano artists working in the area. Arte Chicano 2020 features the work of Chris Alvarez and Buck Burns as curated by Diana Leyba-Ingalls. The exhibit is installed in the Dodge Gallery and can be seen at www.silvercitymuseum.org in the form of a video tour with commentary by the artists. It will be waiting for in-person viewing when the museum is able reopen to the public. Info: 575-597-0229.
The Grant County Art Guild Gallery is featuring the work of three artists in its windows through Dec. 14: woodworker George Thompson, who specializes in segmented turned-wood bowls, painter Thia Utz and painter Donna Schmidt. Thompson began working with wood early. He made his own toys while growing up on a farm in Eastern Colorado. He uses as many local woods as possible, but has a particular fondness for working with cholla cacti. Utz began painting with oils after she retired from the education system in 2012. Schmidt began painting after she retired to Silver City, studying with multiple local artists. Schmidt says both the New Mexico landscape and her faith provide inspiration for her work. The Grant County Art Guild Gallery is located at 316 N Bullard Street in Silver City. It is normally open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday-Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Info: www.gcag.org.
DEMING
December is the time for the annual Holiday Gift Boutique at the Deming Art Center. . The Gallery is located at 100 S. Gold in Deming, and open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday – Friday and 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays (closed Christmas Day). The boutique will run from Dec. 2-30. Info: 575-546-3663 or www.demingarts.org.
LAS CRUCES
Mas Art has added to its art focused store and created a gallery space welcoming art lovers to a to its broad walls. The gallery was supposed to open on Black Friday but now will wait until the first day Doña Ana County opens its non-essential businesses. The little art and frame shop owned by Malu Bender and her sister Sandra Bender moved to a new space at 144 Wyatt Drive in August. Now the sisters are preparing to welcome local artists and shoppers to a gallery at their shop. Mas Art will be open for COVID-safe business as soon as possible. Visit www.masartllc.com for more details or check it out at Facebook or Instagram. Info: info@masartllc.com or call 575-526-9113.
The Doña Ana Arts Council (DAAC) features the work of artists Mimi Garten and Brian Pottorff at the DAAC Arts & Cultural Center gallery from Dec. 2 – 30 during regular business hours and on Saturday, Dec. 12 from noon to 5 p.m. The show, “Untethered Times,” is comprised of photographic prints, video slideshows and sculpture. The theme is reinforced with a poem by Mimi Garten that will be printed and made available for gallery visitors to read as they experience the show. Brian Pottorff is a sculptor and mixed media artist; Mimi Garten is a photographer and poet. “We met through social connection in Deming,” said Mimi. “Over time, our families spent time together and Brian and I became familiar with each other’s work. I understand Brian’s intent with his work, and my images speak to him.” Their collaboration results in an unusual and visually arresting show. Info: www.daarts.org or 575-523-6403.
The Mesilla Valley Fine Arts Gallery, 2470-A Calle de Guadalupe, across from the historic Fountain Theatre, is currently accepting applications from artists to display their artwork. Two local fiber artists are featured for the month of December, Jane Madrid and Richard Spellenberg. Madrid’s main media of painting is oil and some acrylic. Her major artistic themes center around nature, with a particular emphasis on animals, flowers, birds, butterflies, landscapes, and the interaction of these within the environment. Spellenberg’s medium, wood, is a continuation of his scientific endeavors as a botanist. He “toyed” with his father’s treadle lathe as a teenager and since retirement, his interest in the differences in the wood and patterns has deepened. The Gallery is pleased to announce its newest member, Suzanne Thiesfeld, a fabric artist. First American Bank in Mesilla, is well represented by gallery members who rotate the galleries artists’ work monthly. COVID -19 adjusted gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with limited access. Info: 575-522-2933, www.mesillavalleyfinearts.com.
VIRTUAL NEW MEXICO
An area created format showcases artists’ work on Facebook at “Las Cruces NM Artists & Art Showcase” on a page is specifically for the many undiscovered artists and artisans in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County. No matter what it is you do, painting, photography, sculpting, pottery, jewelry, fiber arts, woodworking, decorative arts, etc., anything created by you is welcome to be displayed. Please note, this FaceBook page is meant to be a digital art gallery, rather than a sales tool. This FaceBook page is the creation of Robert Paquette, a long-time volunteer for many Las Cruces community service organizations.
