Local artists, along with the ArtForms Artists Association of New Mexico, are set to launch the annual For the Love of Art month. This celebration of art takes place every February, featuring studio tours and various art events.
"We have seen an uptick in new membership over the past few months," said Karen Conley, ArtForms president. "Overall, the artwork we are seeing from our members is stellar. We are really excited about February."
There are 30 studio tour locations, with artists collaborating at 19 of them. The studio tours occur every weekend in February, primarily at the artists' own studios.
Patrons will have the opportunity to meet the artists, discuss their work, and purchase pieces directly from them. Each studio location will be marked with blue flags. Additionally, there is a QR code link to an interactive map to help patrons navigate the studio tours. A complete schedule of the locations is available online and also printed in the FLOA guide.
Among the participating artists are Nancy Begin, Rokoko, Robert Highsmith, Chris Kemler, Dina D'Argo, Jim Rodgers, Noël Sandino, Chris Bardey, and many others.
This year's member show will be held at The HOOD, located at 3206 Harrelson St. This venue is new for the organization. The show opens on Feb. 6 and will run until Feb. 28. Artwork will be judged, and awards will be presented during the opening.
Every year, the organization presents two awards. This year, the Member of the Year award goes to Rhonda Sprague, who has revamped the banking and payment processes, bringing ArtForms into the 21st century. Thanks to her efforts, members can now manage everything online.
The other award, Friend of the Arts, goes to Lucy Araiza, a Las Cruces Public School art teacher. Since 2022, she has consistently participated in community art projects, enhancing her students' artistic experiences.
Additionally, the organization is honoring two local photographers who have passed away: Mel Stone and Sterling Trantham.
"We could not host this event without the support of our sponsors," Conley emphasized. "We have many that continue to support us each year, and we gain a few new ones each year. We promote them in the guide, on our webpage, and social media."
"We must continue to support the art community. We have both established artists and emerging talent, and an event like For the Love of Art provides an opportunity to celebrate the artistic talent in the Las Cruces area," said Greg Groves, the owner of Rio Grande Fine Art and the Picture Frame Outlet. "A great deal of effort goes into organizing this event, and we always hope to attract more patrons to the area."
ArtForms has proudly sponsored FLOA for more than 26 years, encouraging everyone to dedicate time in February to create and appreciate various forms of art. A comprehensive guide to all FLOA activities is available both in print and online at the ArtForms website, artformsnm.org.
The guide includes the studio tour listings as well as a list of other art events and exhibitions around town. For more information, please email artformsnm@gmail.com or call Karen Conley at 314-704-9445.
