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Fine Art is within reach in Las Cruces

The Las Cruces Museum of Art on the downtown mall.

There are those who believe that the merits of a city are measured by the quality of its Arts and the venues in place to express them. Every metropolitan center has at least one. But that doesn’t mean we here in the Valley have to travel great distances, just to surround ourselves with world-class beauty. In fact, one downtown location in particular is proving that a city doesn’t need a population in the millions to rate a first class repository of fine arts. I’m speaking, of course, about the Las Cruces Museum of Art.

It’s no secret that the Arts are very much alive and thriving in Las Cruces. One has only to get out and experience any given first Friday Downtown Art Ramble to see that. On the forefront of this renaissance, is the Las Cruces Museum of Art. Open since September of 1999, the museum is best described through the words of Museum Manager, Lisa Pugh. “We like to think of the Museum of Art as a community gathering place where people of all ages can enjoy works of art, while learning about the works and the artists who created them.”

What sets the museum above all other galleries in the area is the caliber of its exhibits. “While our major focus is on showing the works of prominent contemporary artists, the Museum of Art has been able to bring in the works of internationally known artists like Ansel Adams, Auguste Rodin and Salvador Dali,” Pugh says proudly.  “We’ve also been able to highlight the works of up and coming artists who are pushing the boundaries of contemporary art and changing the way we look at the world around us.”

One of five paid staff members at the museum, Lisa is currently working alongside her fellow visionaries and the many volunteers who help keep the organization running, to prepare for its upcoming 10-year Anniversary in September. But not before filling their calendar with a variety of exhibits and activities to keep the intervening months brimming with excitement.

A view from the inside, where art breeds camaradarie.

On April 17^th, the museum will host an exhibit showcasing the works of graduating high school seniors from Alma de Artes, Las Cruces High, Mayfield High and Oñate High. The exhibit will be up for a week and all works will be eligible for honorary awards. In addition, students from the various Culinary Arts programs will cater the reception, while also competing for taste and presentation awards. On May 8^th, it’s the college student’s turn with the Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition, running throughout the month.

Turning up the heat on June 5^th, the museum will unveil an exhibit entitled “Las Cruces Collects,” made up of artwork borrowed from collectors right here in the Mesilla Valley. “This exhibit began as a discussion on what people collect and why, then was expanded to how they started collecting,” says Pugh. The exhibit will range from historical lead soldiers to modern and contemporary art, with works borrowed from J. Paul Taylor and even some Asian antiquities. “We’ll even have some surrealist sculpture by Leo Dohman,” Pugh adds. “It will be a very eclectic collection and a really great summer show.”

To mark its 10-year Anniversary, the museum will present two exhibits in September, but only one will be contained within its walls. The first, opening September 4^th, will be “From The Ground Up,” a regional juried ceramics exhibition co-hosted by the Potters’ Guild of Las Cruces. The second, opening on September 11^th, will be the living arts project entitled “Time.” Funded through New Mexico Arts, it will consist of temporary installations made for the environment and include six pieces installed in various locations throughout the city.

But all of that is just the icing on a very rich cake. The Museum of Art also has an active studio program, consisting of seven-week classes for children as young as 4, up through retired adults. Subjects of study include ceramics, drawing, painting, weaving and digital photography. To this end, the museum employs 10 – 15 instructors per session, made up of working artists from throughout the community. Begun in 1999, when the museum opened, the classes have been a very popular form of community outreach for the museum, particularly in the summer, when school is out. Summer programs for children begin registration on May 5^th.

“We’re very proud of the strides made by the museum over the last ten years,” says Pugh.  “We’ve offered lectures, demonstrations and musical performances that compliment the exhibits and enhance the visitor’s experience. We’ve allowed students of all ages to explore and create their own works. And we have been able to bring in some wonderful shows. Every time a new show comes through the doors, our hope is that it will exceed everyone’s expectations and bring new visitors to the Museum of Art.”

And why not? There’s always something new and interesting to be found at the Las Cruces Museum of Art. Case in point, the whimsical works of internationally renowned local artist Stephen Hansen are currently on display and bringing unexpected smiles to faces, both young and old. Meanwhile, in addition to the upcoming exhibits already outlined above, in February of 2010, the museum will host a major touring exhibition of works by the late pop art icon, Andy Warhol.

Even with the Museum of New Mexico, in Santa Fe, celebrating its 100^th Anniversary, the ten-year milestone being celebrated this year, by the Las Cruces Museum of Art, is hardly overshadowed. For those of us living in the Mesilla Valley, the Museum of Art is a shining bastion of modern civility and a reminder that one doesn’t have to live in a more cosmopolitan area in order to experience the finer things in life. It’s a measure of quality we can be proud of.

(Originally published in the Las Cruces Sun-News, March 26, 2009)

 

Reason #4: The Rio Grande Theatre

Much has been written about the renovation of the Rio Grande Theatre. Originally built in 1926 as a movie house, it was closed for business in 1997, only to be revived to its former glory at the beginning of the 21^st century, when it was donated to the Doña Ana Arts Council by the descendents of the original owners. The Rio Grande Theatre has a rich history, in an area awash in historical and cultural significance.

As she was in the beginning.

For me, however, the Rio Grande Theatre is so much more than a history lesson, or a ghost of the past. She’s a symbol of the future--a grand dame whose living presence gives hope to a new generation of artists, in a time when the future of the Arts has been in question. A vital promise made to the city of Las Cruces, that beauty can mean something to a community and reinvigorate a declining economy. And finally, a reminder that everything changes. For me, this last lesson is the most personal.

As she stands today.

In the early 80s, while a student at NMSU, I attended the Rio Grande Theatre as a movie-goer. I have fond memories of those times and like the river after which it was named, the Organ Mountains and the Mesilla Plaza, it was one of the very landmarks that drew me back, some 25 years after my departure. To be part of its on-going history now, as a volunteer for the Doña Ana Arts Council, fills me with a profound sense of place and an equally satisfying feeling of pride.

She’s more than a theater to me. She’s a monument, mirroring my own personal growth.

Returned to her former glory

Articles & Resources:

A comprehensive look at the theatre, through local eyes:

http://lascrucesblog.com/las-cruces/2007/rio-grande-theatre/

 

A story in Desert Exposure about the Grand Reopening in 2005:

http://www.desertexposure.com/200509/200509_riogrande.html

 

Official site:

http://www.riograndetheatre.com/

Reason #3: The Food

There’s an art to dining in Las Cruces; one that tends to escape most transplants to the area. I’m talking, of course, about those who can’t quite wrap their heads around the most often used phrase: red or green? It refers, of course, to red or green chile, a staple of the area and a reason many of us choose to live in the Southwest. After all, when in Rome, one doesn’t lament the absence of good Moo Goo Gai Pan, especially when there are so many fabulous regional dishes to choose from. The same can be said for the great Southwest, where the best chile in the world can be found.

 

It begins and ends here…

 

Here too can be found wonderful steaks, because of the proximity to Texas cattle country, and delightful pecans, another export of the area.  It isn’t unusual to find pecan crusted steaks being offered on a menu, alongside the ubiquitous red or green chile choices. As with any culturally steeped regions where the cuisine is a reflection of the area’s history, there are the good, the bad and the outstanding by way of restaurant choices. One has only to ask around to find a virtual smorgasbord of choices and opinions to go along with them.

Having reviewed several such restaurants for the local newspaper, I am perhaps better acquainted than most with the local cuisine. Rather than present a list of my favorites, however, I offer a bit of advice: pay no attention to the naysayers who fill local message boards with vitriol and diatribes about the lack of diversity to be found in the area, where cuisine is concerned. Instead, read what others have to say about the positive experiences they have had, because is it is here that you’re most likely to discover a connection that very well could change how you view what can only be termed New Mexico Cuisine.

Remember, Google is your friend and if you’re visiting from the Midwest, you’re more likely to believe the words of a fellow Midwesterner when it comes to flavor and spice.  Oh, and if it’s exceptional Moo Goo Gai Pan that you’re craving, you might want to consider booking a flight to San Francisco’s Chinatown. It’s amazing. I’ve had it. Nuff said.

You haven’t lived until you taste it…

 

Articles & Resources:

 

A nice comprehensive overview, with a few recipies thrown in:

http://www.blogher.com/discover-call-new-mexico-cuisine-recipes

 

Historical overview by the Food Museum:

http://www.foodmuseum.com/foodheritagecommunityLas%20Cruces.html

Reason #2: El Rio Grande

The first time I saw the Rio Grande, I was disappointed. Having grown up in the Southwest, the reality just didn’t match up to the grandeur of its legend. It wasn’t until much later on that I came to discover it was man’s intervention that had diminished this once mighty tributary. Dams and irrigation canals, though life-giving to those who settled along its banks over the centuries, had sucked the pomp out of the river itself. The Rio Grande, once known as the Mississippi of the Southwest, had become the Rio Pequeño over time. And nobody feels the effect more than the poor citizens of our neighbor to the South, Mexico. But that’s another story.

Today, the Rio Grande follows a completely different path than the lazy, twisty, windy sojourn it once traveled. The bosque that once marked its passage for miles on both sides, is long gone, except in small pockets where conservationists and national parks try desperately to preserve it. The annual floods that once swelled its banks and brought life to the surrounding desert have been tamed by human engineering. It’s hard to complain about such things, because without that engineering, there couldn’t be places like Las Cruces or Truth or Consequences along it’s banks. And let’s not forget the chile industry, which has become part of the lifeblood of this area. It’s all give and take, in the end.

Still, I wonder at times what it must have been like to come across an immense body of water, in the middle of the desert, that stretched so far it was difficult to see the other side.  What must those early pioneers have thought? Had they finally reached the ocean they’d heard so much about? Were they, in fact, in California? Maybe. Maybe, not.  The irony is that it was this great body of water that convinced those pioneers they should settle here. It’s all part of the history of the area, dating back to the mid-16^th century. That, in and of itself, creates a mystique that will always lend charm to the Rio Grande; both for the people who live here and those who make a pilgrimage to its diminished banks, in search of the true wellspring of the Great American Southwest.

Lush vegetation and filled to the banks only during the monsoon months.

Still, the winter lends its own beauty to el Rio.

 

Articles and Resources:

 

Living In Las Cruces: A River To Flow Through It

http://www.livinginlascruces.com/html/SP2008/riogrande.html

 

Wikipedia Entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Grande

 

Google Timeline with links to articles and historical texts:

http://www.google.com/archivesearch?as_user_ldate=1500&as_user_hdate=2009&q=rio+grande&scoring=t&hl=en&um=1&q=rio+grande&lnav=od&btnG=Go

Vintage Wines: Where Friends Gather

Once upon a time, there was a wildly successful television series about life in and around a Boston watering hole, with a quirky cast of characters and a catchy theme song. You know the one. The place where “everybody knows your name.” I’m often reminded of that show when I visit Vintage Wines, without a doubt one of the best-kept secrets in La Mesilla.

In less than a year, Vintage Wines has become the kind of place people like to fantasize about. Non-commercial, privately-owned and loaded with charm. Literally starting from the ground up, owners Nicki and Brian O’Dell have created a cozy little bistro, the likes of which aren’t often found outside of California’s wine country, or tucked away down a dirt road in a pastoral, grape-growing region of France.

Ah, but you won’t find any of those wines for sale here. Nor are you likely to find wines by the local conglomerate, which seem more at home stocking shelves in local grocery stores. No, here you’ll find a wonderful selection of over 50 different wines from some of the finest wineries in northern New Mexico, where grapes were being grown and wine pressed literally centuries before Napa Valley became the wine capital of the United States--if not the world.

Add to that a light menu of Tapas, made to order and featuring an assortment of selections specially created to accompany the wines on the menu--from Seasonal Fresh Fruits and Cheeses to Salsas and Tepenades with fresh baguette slices. More discerning palates can finish that off with a delightful smorgasbord of imported cigars for all tastes. The result is a coup de esthétique to please even the most discriminating of social provocateurs.

Those who have made Vintage Wines a regular stop in their communal wanderings tend to agree, however, that the main reason for the success of Vintage Wines is the atmosphere. Though the shop only opened its doors in February, it has quickly become popular with the residents of Mesilla and the word has spread to all corners of the Mesilla Valley. People come from as far away as El Paso and Deming to enjoy not only the wines and Tapas, but also the fact that Vintage Wines is the kind of place wherein one can enter a stranger and leave having made new friends.

“What I love about Vintage is that it captures the feeling of Old Mesilla,” says regular Patti Havstad. “It’s comfortable, cozy and a great place to meet people and have a good time with friends. I always have a lot of fun here.” Mesilla resident Cecilia Vigil agrees, “I really like Nicki and Brian,” she says. “I love that they started this little shop from scratch and built something special. The place has great personality and it’s easy to come in and talk to them. They’re like neighbors.”

 “Vintage is more than just a bar,” says Kelly Covert, who can often be found pouring wines and trading quips from behind the bar. “It’s a neighborhood place where people come to hang out. We’ve made a lot of really good friends here and friends have made friends here. People who never knew each other gather here and make new friends. They come here for the wine and find so much more.”

This friendly and inviting atmosphere is a point of pride for Nicki O’Dell, a bright, open-faced woman who treats every person who walks through the door as if she’s known him or her forever. “It’s sort of a dream come true,” she says. “Besides the business having done well, we’ve made a lot of really great friends. It’s been a fantastic first year. I chalk it up to the Cheers syndrome,” she laughs. “We have a lot of Norms here.”

Location is everything, too. The main entrance for Vintage Wines can be found half a block south of the historic Mesilla Plaza, on Calle de Principal, but the back patio gate opens onto a lot off Calle de Guadalupe, directly across from the Fountain Theatre. It’s out on this warm, inviting patio that live music can be heard every Friday and Saturday night, by such local luminaries as Kiki & Michelle, Gary Vau and the inimitable Bugs Salcido.

All of which comes together in an eclectic and welcoming environment of food, drink and camaraderie not often realized in today’s fast-paced, modern world. A place to take a break from all your worries, where they’re always glad you came. Whether you’re new to the mysteries of the vine or an old pro at winespeak, Vintage Wines is a secret whose time has come.

If you go

What: Vintage Wines

Where: 2461 Calle de Principal in La Mesilla, NM.

Hours: W – TH, 11am – 8pm; F – S, 11am – 10pm, SUN, 12pm – 8pm; M – T, Closed.

Info: (575) 523-9463

Expect To Spend: Between $5 and $8 per glass, or $4 for a tasting flight of four. Tapas run between $4 and $7

(Originally published in the Las Cruces Sun-News, December 25, 2008, under the title "Atmosphere draws friends to Vintage.")

Reason #1: The Organ Mountains

I first moved to Las Cruces in 1979, when I graduated high school. The next six years were spent attending school at NMSU and creating a network of friends, many of whom I keep in touch with to this day. I’ve done a lot of traveling since that time. I’ve visited other parts of the country and even other countries altogether. I’ve lived in Texas, California and Arizona. I’ve spent extended periods in countless other cities and states.

Despite all that, the Organ Mountains have figured prominently in my dreams for 30 years now. Their raw, jagged physicality gives them the appearance of a dragon’s back, or a jawline taking a bite out of the sky. I’ve written short stories that take place in those mountains, or with the range as a backdrop. They were the one thing I couldn’t wait to see again and the reason I knew it was time to return.

There are a lot of reasons why I love living in Las Cruces. Those reasons are all around us. Some are obvious, some aren’t. I’ll post those reasons randomly, through pictures I've taken and in no particular order except that in which they present themselves. It’s only fitting, however, that those inspirational mountains kick it all off.

Off I-10, heading into town.

Dusk.

 

A cloudy morning.

Moonrise.

it begins...

How to start a blog about living in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  That is the question. Well, to begin with, there’s the why. Easy. I love it here. It’s why I moved back, almost six months ago, after being away for 25 years. I’m originally from New Mexico. Born in Ruidoso, raised in Tularosa, worked in Alamogordo and went to college at NMSU. Even though I left, years ago to explore other areas and pursue my career, I always knew I would be back. Las Cruces is just one of those places. For me, anyway.

And, so, here I am. Reacquainting myself with a state and state-of-mind I love, while also discovering places I never knew existed.  Being a small town, there’s bound to be a lot of grousing about the fact that there’s “nothing to do” here. I beg to differ. The Mesilla Valley and the areas surrounding it are a treasure trove of culture, history and breathtaking landscape. Being a freelance writer for the Las Cruces Sun News allows me to explore some of that. Being an amateur photographer, even more.  I plan to incorporate both into this blog, as time and energy permit.

So, the question still remains. How to begin? I think this just about says it all…