Vice Chair of the Board of Regents, Jack L. Fortner | The University of New Mexico
The Department of Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico-Taos and the New Mexico Higher Education Department will present the UNM-Taos Printmaking Exhibition, featuring 24 artists who have studied under Associate Professor Gary Cook. According to UNM-Taos, they are the first higher education institution to display student art and host a showing at the state department.
A public reception will be held at the New Mexico Higher Education Department’s Santa Fe office located at 2044 Galisteo St., Suite 4 on June 20 from 2-5 p.m. “The New Mexico Higher Education Department is elated to showcase local student talent from the printmaking program at the University of New Mexico-Taos,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez. “Their talent is beyond measure and supports both New Mexico’s longstanding creative economy and global contributions to art.”
The UNM-Taos printmaking program has trained students and professional Northern New Mexico artists since 1998 when an etching press was donated to the university. The program boasts a widespread reputation and has produced many of Taos’ best-known contemporary artists. The works of beginning and advanced students have appeared in art galleries and higher education programs across the state.
“It has been a gift to work with these accomplished artists, to be part of their ongoing dialogue regarding artistic content and the expressive possibilities in the field of printmaking,” said UNM-Taos Associate Professor Gary Cook. “This show is the result of those conversations and the hundreds of prints made by these talented and devoted individuals.”
Printmakers included in the show are Dwarka Bonner, Gary Cook, Sabine Core, Jan Dorris, Kate Henke, Lawrence J. Herrera, Layne Hubbard, Jennifer Lindsley, Brook Maher, Stephanie Moller, William Nevels, Betsy Pierce, Alma Quillian, Fatima Rigby, Jill Schulman, Christopher Taylor, Steven Villalobos, Seth Williams, Doug West, Joyce Wimer, Shannon Bushnell, and Abby Salsbury.
Pieces in the show are created using traditional and contemporary printmaking practices with nontoxic materials. Content ranges from Chris Taylor’s magical landscapes to Jennifer Lindsley’s anthropological images celebrating other cultures and nature. Animated forms inhabit Abby Salsbury’s work while spiritual content is found in Fatima Rigsby’s prints. Other themes include geometric forms, animals, documentation of construction at the UNM-Taos campus, portraits, and Day of the Dead skulls.
“We are delighted by the acknowledgment of the school’s part in the continuing artistic legacy of Northern New Mexico,” said Cook. “It is important to be supported by the invitation to be the first art program to exhibit at the New Mexico Higher Education Department’s headquarters.”
To view the exhibit after June 20th call the New Mexico Higher Education Department at 505-476-8400 to schedule an appointment. The art showcased at this state agency will be available for purchase through Cook after December 11th.
