COMMUNITY News:
Step Up Gallery at Mesa Public Library announces its next exhibit: Watercolors of the High Desert: The Work of Signature Artists of the New Mexico Watercolor Society, which runs June 30 to July 27.
The New Mexico Watercolor Society (NMWS) members have created and shared luminous watercolors statewide since 1969. The Society celebrates the unique properties of watercolor through education of their members and the public.
The vision of its 300 members from all corners of New Mexico, and a few former residents, is to capture and portray the stunning light and color of New Mexican surroundings. The watercolorists commit that inspiration to a permanent surface, imbued with the artist’s personality to be enjoyed daily in a gallery or on a wall in people’s homes.
In a first-time-ever event, the “Signature Member Group” of the more accomplished artists within NMWS will bring a fresh collection of nearly 70 paintings by 36 different artists to Step Up Gallery, on the top floor of Mesa Public Library in the historic center of Los Alamos. An opening reception is 2:30-4 p.m. July 9. The public can meet the artists and refreshments will be served.
Signature Members of NMWS earn that distinction through perseverance, skill development and education. To achieve that status, a member must have had five different paintings accepted into five approved, juried exhibitions within five years. Their paintings are “a cut above” in terms of composition, design, complexity and technique.
Signature Member artists, featured in the “Watercolors of the High Desert” – themed show, hail from around the state:
- Kathi Geoffrion Parker is a favorite Los Alamos area resident.
- Lonnie Shan and Marilyn Price-Reinbolt portray inspiration drawn from the people, mountains and rivers around Taos.
- Botanist Jane Fritz of Las Vegas, NM shares her impressions of plant life and canyons of the high-altitude West.
- Jeanne Hyland, long time Santa Fe resident, and Karen Bunkowski of Lamy, depict iconic western imagery and animals.
- Not to be overlooked, Rachel Murphree and Phil Yost of Las Cruces create brilliant images from living in southern NM environs.
And best of all, the multiply awarded, most accomplished, senior watercolor artists and instructors from the Albuquerque area have contributed more than half of the paintings in this show – including a full-time Sandia Lab scientist who displays awesome watercolor mastery!
NMWS vision is “Inspiring a Passion for Watercolor Art”. The community is invited to view the exhibition June 30 to July 27 and share in the celebration of New Mexico beauty. All 70 signature watercolors are for sale and may be purchased here: https://lalamosartscouncil.artspan.com/home
Step Up Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays. At this time, masking and social distancing is welcome, but not required. The policy, however, may change without notice. Mesa Public Library is at 2400 Central Ave.
