The 11th annual “For the Love of Arts” month will feature the work of Pop artist Andy Warhol on display at the Las Cruces Museum of Art, Feb. 5 – April 3, 2010.

The exhibition features over 20 pieces by Warhol and several from his well-known Pop Art contemporaries, including Robert Rauschenberg, Jim Dine, and Roy Lichtenstein.

A lecture about the cultural and historical importance of pop art will be given, in conjunction with the exhibition, by Art Historian Debora Rindge on Feb. 6. The lecture, titled “The Transformative Power of Pop Art: Celebrating the Mundane and Taming Celebrity,” will begin at 11 a.m. in the museum.

The exhibition will also feature a poetry reading about Warhol, Warhol’s iconic images (Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, Mick Jagger, Sigmund Freud, Campbell’s Soup, etc.) and more generally, popular culture, that will be presented on Feb. 20. The reading entitled, “Warholed: Poetry and Pop Culture,” will begin at 11 a.m. in the museum.

Organized by the Las Cruces Museum of Art, the exhibition, titled, “Warhol & Pop Art,” includes art work from the New Mexico State University Art Gallery’s permanent collection, as well as, works belonging to a private collector, some of which have never been publicly displayed.  The opening reception is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5 and will include a musical performance by La Cella Bella and a screening of an excerpt from the Andy Warhol film, Empire.
 
Recognized as one of the most important artists of the last century, Andy Warhol created a body of work that transformed and revolutionized our understanding of art. Blurring the boundaries between art and popular culture, his now iconic work has influenced generations of artists and continues to resonate with audiences today.  Classic Warhol images, such as Marilyn Monroe and Campbell’s Soup Cans, are on display.

The Las Cruces Museum of Art is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and is closed on Sunday. It is located at 490 N. Water Street.

In addition to the exhibition, there will be a large number of events, throughout Las Cruces and Mesilla, as part of, “For the Love of Arts month,” sponsored by ArtForms. “For the Love of Art month,” will include a variety of special art exhibits, performance art events at area restaurants, galleries and businesses that are expected to take place throughout the month.

“There will be arts in all forms for this celebration,” said Cheryl Fallstead, event coordinator. “You can find jewelry, collage art, photography and sculpture, just to name a few.”

An ArtForms member show, featuring paintings, sculptures, photography and multi-media works, exemplifying the variety of art created by artists in Las Cruces, will be held at Branigan Cultural Center, located at 500 N. Water Street, on Feb. 5 at 5 p.m., and will run through Feb. 27. 

In conjunction with the month long event, artists all over the city will be opening their studios and galleries, offering new works for sale the weekends of Feb. 13 and 14 and Feb. 20 and 21. The public is encouraged to visit the studios, view art, meet artists and see demonstrations. Maps and venue lists are available at the Las Cruces Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, located at 211 N. Water.

Fallstead said “For the Love of Art Month,” began when a group of ArtForm members got together and came up with a way to promote the arts in Las Cruces.

“We really wanted to make Las Cruces a destination location for the arts,” said Fallstead.
           
For more information, contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at (575) 541-2150, or by email at media@las-cruces.org
 

For the Love of Art event on the Mesilla Plaza

Mesilla, N.M. – The Eighth Annual For the Love of Art event in Mesilla is Saturday, Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature artwork by artists from around the area. The Border Jazz Trio will play on the plaza from 2-3 p.m.

Some of the artists include Nancy C. Anderson, Latana Bernier, Greta Burger, Frances de Garcia Conklin, Pamela Enriquez Courts, Ramon Escalante, Sherwood Hoffman, Rudy Lucero, Preciliana Sandoval, Jan Severson and Jovita B. Thomas.

In 1999, February was declared For the Love of Art Month in Las Cruces. The event in Mesilla is held in conjunction with the Las Cruces celebration in an effort to promote art and the business of art.

For more information, call the Town of Mesilla at (575) 524-3262 ext. 116.

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Who: The Rio Grande Theatre
What: Monthly Events
When: February 2009
Where: The Rio Grande Theatre
Contact: (575) 523-6403

Rio Grande Theatre Calendar of Events – February 2010

Tuesday, February 2
The Reality Magic Show
Professional illusionist Garry Carson and his wife Kelsey Kara bring their crowd-pleasing Las Vegas show to the Rio Grande Theatre for one big night, featuring magic, grand illusions, comedy, audience participation and live animals. From the premiere opening of the MGM Grand Hotel and over 8,000 shows over a 2 ½ year period to appearances on national and international television shows including Good Morning America, Inside Edition and the Fox special Masters Of Illusion, the dynamic duo presents a family friendly show that will have audiences talking for years to come. The Reality Magic Show will be a fundraiser with 100% of proceeds going to Jornada Elementary School. Showtime is 7pm. Tickets are $12. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (575) 621-3205.

Saturday, February 6
Yolanda Martinez
Award-winning, international performing artist Yolanda Martinez will introduce her new CD Amor Deveras, featuring such classics as Besame Mucho, Los Laureles, Llorona and more, with special guest Denny Guerrero. Then, Martinez will unveil her new production Honoring Of Lozen, An Apache Warrior And All Women Warriors, in which she portrays Lozen at various stages throughout her life through costume and song. As part of her tradition, Martinez will end the show by inviting all Drummers and Drums in the audience to come up and enjoy a drumming session. Showtime is 7:30. Tickets are $15. For more information or to reserve tickets, visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com.

Saturday, February 13
La Catrina Quartet
Hailed by Yo Yo Ma as “wonderful ambassadors for music,” the La Catrina String Quartet is one of the most sought after ensembles on tour today. Their unique blend of Latin-American and standard repertoire has proved enormously entertaining for its diverse audiences, catering to the more traditional concertgoers while still attracting the next generation of listeners. Their infectious personalities infuse their playing, creating truly compelling performances. Showtime is 7:30pm. Tickets are $10. For more information, contact the Las Cruces Friends Of Chamber Music at (575) 523-7714 or visit the official website at www.LaCatrinaQuartet.com.

Sunday, February 14
Las Cruces Symphony Chamber Orchestra
The Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra presents a special Chamber Orchestra Concert featuring guest artist Bracha Malkin on violin performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto No. 1 and Mozart’s Symphony No. 40. Sponsored by Tom and Donna Tate and a Circle of Symphony Friends. Showtime is 3pm. Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students with ID. For more information, contact the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra at (575) 646-3709.

Thursday, February 18
MountainFilm World Tour
NMSU Outdoor Recreation continues its Adventure Arts Series with the international short film tour dedicated to educating and inspiring audiences about issues that matter, cultures worth exploring, environments worth preserving and conversations worth sustaining. Themes range from adventure, mountaineering, remarkable personalities and important environmental and social messages. Showtime is 7pm. Tickets are $8 in advance and $12 at the theatre box office, day of show. For more information, call (575) 646-4252.

Saturday, February 20
Teresa Walters
In recent years, Teresa has performed on six continents and in most of the 50 United States, at venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Wigmore Hall in London, the Salle Cortot in Paris, Moscow’s Great Hall, Australia’s International Conservatorium and Jerusalam’s Concert Hall. Her recital at Lincoln Center earned a standing ovation from a full house and high praise from the New York Times. When her latest cd was nominated for the Grand Prix du Disque, the Budapest Sun wrote, “her fingers give off sparks and she takes the keyboard into orbit.” Teresa Walters will appear as part of the Doña Ana Arts Council’s 2009/2010 Cultural Series. Showtime is 7:30. Tickets are $25. For more information or to reserve tickets, visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com.

Tuesday – Thursday, February 23 – 25
Las Cruces High School presents Dracula
There’s something spooky going on in London. Dr. Van Helsing, a specialist in obscure maladies, has discovered that the beautiful Lucy has fallen victim to what he believes is a vampire. Suspicion has fallen on a mysterious neighbor, Count Dracula. Can Van Helsing stop this bloodsucking menace before it’s too late? Drama and comedy mix with tension and chills in this classic theatrical masterwork presented for a young audience. Showtime is 8pm. Tickets are available at the door night of show for $10 general admission, $5 students. For more information call (575) 496-4805.

Friday, February 26
Burnsland/Back Porch KRWG Benefit Fundraiser
KRWG radio personalities and popular local musicians Bob Burns and Benjy Rivas will take the Rio Grande Theatre stage for a special concert to benefit the NPR affiliate. Burns is the host of the weekly program Burnsland, has been a professional musician for over fifty years and is a “life member” of the American Federation of Musicians. Rivas is the host of the weekly program The Back Porch, has been making music in the Mesilla Valley region for thirty years and can play just about every musical instrument imaginable, usually with his roots ensemble the BBR Band. Showtime is 7pm. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door for adults; $7.50 in advance, $10 at the door for young adults; Free for children under 6. For more information or to reserve tickets, call the KRWG offices in Milton Hall at (575) 646-2222.

Sunday, February  28
LCCCA presents El Paso Brass
The Las Cruces Civic Concert Association continues their season with one of the longest continually-performing brass quintets in America, composed of key members of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and other distinguished artists from across the Southwest. For this concert, the group has chosen “From Bach to the Beatles”: selections from their repertoire, covering the total spectrum of brass quintet literature. Showtime is 3pm. Single ticket price is $20 at the door. Call (575) 521-4051 for more information.

Every Other Tuesday at the Rio Grande Theatre
February 9 – Blues Messiah
February 23 – Doug Randall
Please note: Every Other Tuesday performances always begin at 5:30pm and are free to the public.

On Exhibit in the El Paso Electric and Carolene de Mesilla Galleries
George Mendoza
February is Love Of Art Month in Las Cruces and to celebrate, the Doña Ana Arts Council will welcome internationally renowned visually impaired artist George Mendoza to the galleries of the Rio Grande Theatre. Mendoza was a promising high school athlete when macular degeneration, a retinal disorder that leaves distortions in the central vision, made him legally blind. Mendoza used his disability to fuel a passion for athletics and painting, becoming the subject of two PBS documentaries and an exhibitor at galleries around the country. In 2009, Mendoza’s art went international when Westminster Fibers Inc., in Charlotte, NC, licensed it to create a colorful 100-percent cotton fabric collection that made its debut at the International Quilt Market. The exhibition will take place in both the El Paso Electric and Carolene de Mesilla Galleries, running through the entire month of February, 2010, beginning with an artist reception on February 5th, from 5 to 7pm, as part of the Downtown Art Ramble.

The Rio Grande Theatre is located at 211 N. Main, in Las Cruces, NM. For clarification, photos or additional information, please visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com or contact the Rio Grande Theatre Manager, David Salcido, at 575-523-6403.

Click here to request a Las Cruces, New Mexico Visitor’s Guide

Click here to request a Las Cruces, New Mexico Visitor’s Guide

Who: Concert Pianist Teresa Walters
What: Performance
When: February 20, 2010
Where: The Rio Grande Theatre
Contact: (575) 523-6403

The Dona Ana Arts Council continues its 2009/2010 Cultural Series with Renowned Concert Pianist Teresa Walters, February 20, 2010

The Doña Ana Arts Council proudly continues its 2009/2010 Cultural Series with the International First Lady of Piano, Teresa Walters. Hailed for her commitment to music as the ultimate universal language and for her vision of music as a ministry, Teresa is lauded as one of the finest interpreters of Liszt performing and recording today. She is noted for her Keynote Comments, which are insightful, entertaining and popular with audiences of all kinds, from the musically sophisticated to those hearing the music for the first time. Teresa Walters will bring mastery at the keyboard to the Rio Grande Theatre stage, Saturday, February 20, 2010.

A familiar face on the world’s greatest concert stages, Teresa has performed on six continents and in most of the 50 United States, at venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Wigmore Hall in London, the Salle Cortot in Paris, Moscow’s Great Hall, Australia’s International Conservatorium and Jerusalem’s Concert Hall. Teresa has been described by Austrian National Television as “one of the world’s most significant pianists.” Her recital at Lincoln Center earned a standing ovation from a full house and high praise from the New York Times who cited the “sweep” and “power” of her “intricate passagework”. New York Concert Review reports, “Her transcendental performance magically transforms the keyboard. She has a huge, rolling sound and makes music like an eagle surveying the landscape.”

The Rio Grande Theatre is located at 211 N. Downtown Mall, in Las Cruces. Doors open at 7pm and the performance begins at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased via the website at www.RioGrandeTheatre.com. For more information contact Rio Grande Theatre Manager, David Salcido, at (575) 523-6403.

Click here to request a Las Cruces, New Mexico Visitor’s Guide