As New Mexicans observed the 97th anniversary of their statehood January 6, 2009, plans are moving forward for the state’s official centennial celebration, which will take place January 6, 2012.

The Centennial of Statehood Steering Committee, a statewide collaborative group led by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Centennial Task Force, appointed by the Governor and House and Senate leadership, selected a logo from among many designs submitted by students at the Design College of Albuquerque to represent official statewide activities that will commemorate New Mexico’s entry into the union as the 47th state.

The logo design, created by Ryan Rodriguez, a graduate student at the College, will be unveiled at a press conference during “Culture Day” at the New Mexico Legislature on Thursday, February 19 at the Rotunda of the State Capitol in Santa Fe. 

Cultural Affairs Secretary Stuart Ashman said that projects for the statehood centennial celebration will include a wide range of activities focusing on New Mexico’s rich history, its culture and its future.   “This is an important opportunity to celebrate New Mexico’s vibrant past while looking ahead to the next hundred years,” he said.  “We look forward to working with communities statewide to commemorate this significant milestone.”   Community planning is already underway, with activities and educational projects commemorating New Mexico’s path to statehood, and exploring the first 100 years of statehood, including New Mexico’s storied traditions in art, culture, music, food and more. 

The Centennial Task Force was created by executive order in April 2008, consisting of state leaders including Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish, two members each from the Mew Mexico State Senate and House of Representatives, and ten additional members of the Governor’s Cabinet.  The task force is chaired by the Secretary of Cultural Affairs. 

The Steering Committee, which has held more than 30 meetings throughout the state over the past three years, includes representatives of New Mexico State University, the New Mexico Humanities Council, the University of New Mexico Valencia Branch, the New Mexico Tourism Department, the Office of the State Historian, the State Librarian, State Folklorist, State Historic Preservation Officer and the Director of the New Mexico History Museum and a representative of the Lt. Governor’s office. 

For 25 years, The Art Center Design College – with campuses in Albuquerque and Tucson, Arizona – has continued to meet the higher education needs of students in the Southwest who are seeking entrance in the most exciting and rapidly growing industries, such as graphic design, interior design, animation, illustration, landscape architecture, advertising and marketing, photography and fine arts. A regionally accredited college, it offers students programs that combine forward-thinking instruction in communication and problem-solving skills necessary for success in today’s workplace alongside instruction in the most up-to-date methods and technologies used in visual and creative fields.

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