Sunday September 27, 2009
A Century of Masters:
The NEA National Heritage Fellows
of New Mexico
Hispanic Heritage Wing Presented as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Museum of New Mexico
Each year, the National Endowment for the Arts» honors folk artists, storytellers, performers, and musicians throughout the United States for their contributions to traditional art forms. The National Heritage Fellows demonstrate artistic excellence and a commitment to their art forms through their processes, techniques, and transmission of the knowledge to others that strengthens and enriches their communities. New Mexico residents are well-represented in this distinguished group of talented artists, especially given the size of the state's population. The Museum of International Folk Art holds examples of the works of all the Fellows from New Mexico in its collections, from weavings, to pottery, tinwork, straw appliqué, retablos, and woodcarving. Events celebrating the opening are from 1:00 to 4 :00 p.m. The exhibition celebrates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Museum of New Mexico. The National Heritage Fellowship Artists from New Mexico are:

Charles M. Carrillo» (artist, santero) 2006
Helen Cordero» (Cochiti potter, deceased) 1986
Frances Varos Graves» (colcha embroiderer, deceased) 1994
George López» (artist, woodcarver, deceased) 1982
Ramón José López»(artist, santero) 1997
Esther Martinez» (San Juan storyteller, deceased) 2006
Roberto & Lorenzo Martinez» (musicians) 2003
Eliseo & Paula Rodriguez» (artists, straw appliqué) 2004
Emilio & Senaida Romero» (artists, tinwork, deceased) 1987
Margaret Tafoya» (Santa Clara potter, deceased) 1984
Irvin Trujillo» (Rio Grande weaver) 2007
Cleofes Vigil» (storyteller, singer, deceased) 1984

Opening events include performances by Los Reyes de Albuquerque and Artist demonstrations with Maria Fernandez Graves- Colcha Embroidery, José Floyd Lucero- Woodcarving, Vicki Rodriguez-Straw Appliqué & Nicolas Otero- Retablo Making ; and a reception hosted by the Museum of New Mexico Women's Board. By Museum admission, New Mexico residents with I.D. free every Sunday, foundation members and youth 16 and under always free!


Press Information»

Sunday December 20, 2009
Treasures of Textiles from the Collection
Treasures of Textiles from the Collection presents a tantalizing glimpse into the Museum of International Folk Art's largest collection of textiles and costumes stored in 57 closets and numerous trunks and drawers. The 138 rarely-seen items in this exhibition highlight the remarkable breadth and depth of 20,000 objects ranging from everyday household articles to elaborately detailed ceremonial wear in the Museum's textile collection.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue authored by exhibition curator Bobbie Sumberg. The catalog divides the textile and costume collection into two categories, textiles and dress, and into several subcategories: Textiles for the bed; for the dwelling; for the church, temple, or ceremony; and, decorative pieces such as samplers. Dress is divided into headwear, outerwear, footwear, accessories, ceremonial, and complete ensembles.
(Photo, above, left: Boots, leather, linen, metallic thread, tooled. Syria. Gift of Irene Fisher and Dr. Estella Warner. Photo by Addison Doty)

Curator Bobbie Sumberg says, "Making and embellishing textiles can be a powerful tool of socialization and a reflection of cultural values. By looking at the production and use of textiles, numerous aspects of history and culture become illuminated. For example, gender roles within a family and within a society or culture are usually played out when cloth is made and worn." The exhibition opens at the Museum of International Folk Art on December 20, 2009 in the Cotsen Gallery of the Neutrogena Wing and runs through May 23, 2011.

Press Information»

Silver Seduction
In the Bartlett Gallery June 4 to September 7, 2010

Folk Art of the Andes
In the Bartlett Gallery December 10, 2010 to April 15, 2012

Chocolate y Mate
In the Hispanic Heritage Wing March 18 2011 to March 24, 2013

Macedonian Costumes
In the Neutrogena Wing July 22, 2011 to September 10, 2012

Power of Red
In the Hispanic Heritage Wing April 14, 2013 to April 2014

Common Art in the Holy Land
In the Bartlett Wing June 15, 2012 to January 2014

Mexican Rebozos
In the Neutrogena Wing November 2012 to January 2014