The Las Cruces Museum of Art, 491 N. Main St., will host several artists talks throughout February to celebrate “For the Love of Art Month.”
The programs are free to the public.
Mel Stone will talk about his "Charreada" photography exhibition at 1:30 p.m. Friday, February 11. The exhibition opens Friday, February 4 at the Branigan Cultural Center, 501 N. Main St.
Stone was born Oct. 27, 1942, in a small farmhouse outside of Solway, Minnesota. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry from St. Olaf College, a Master of Arts in economics and mathematics from the University of North Dakota, and a doctorate degree in economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He taught at the university level for a few years, then got bit by the TV news bug.
For about 30 years, Stone was a one-man band as a photographer, reporter, writer, and editor. In 2005, he bought his first digital camera and high-quality printer.
Now retired, Stone sells his photography at the Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market and in his gallery - Mesquite Art Gallery.
Gabriel Luis Perez will join the Museum of Art on Zoom at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, February 17 to talk about his art. His art is included in the “Revelation: Regional Artists from the Permanent Collection” exhibition at the Museum of Art, which opens Friday, February 4. The Zoom webinar ID is: 854 8693 8832, and the passcode is: 422088.
Perez is an artist currently living and working in Portland Oregon. Born and raised in southern New Mexico, his work in painting, drawing, photography, installation, and performance are the result of a life lived traveling for discovery and consistent engagement in a variety of creative endeavors.
Perez earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in 2014 from Claremont Graduate University, Claremont California, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico in 2011.
At the University of New Mexico, Perez he studied under Dave Hickey and Libby Lumpkin. His work has shown in museums and galleries in the U.S. and Mexico, including The National Hispanic Cultural Center, in Albuquerque; the El Paso Museum of Art; the Museum of Art of Cuidad Juárez, Mexico; Axle Contemporary, in Santa Fe; Lane Meyer Projects, in Denver; Left Field, in San Luis Obispo, and Durden & Ray, in Los Angeles.
Rachel Stevens will join the Museum of Art on Zoom at 1:30 p.m. Friday, February 25 to talk about her art. Her art is included in the “Revelation: Regional Artists from the Permanent Collection” exhibition at the Museum of Art. The Zoom webinar ID is: 871 0974 4251, and the passcode is: 023053.
Stevens has been making objects and installations for four decades. Her experimental works are as varied as the landscapes and cultures she has explored throughout her life. In her talk, Stevens will discuss a selection of her art, including projects made in Nepal and Ukraine where she was a Fulbright scholar, as well as those inspired by southern New Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert.
The Las Cruces Museums follow all guidelines set by the New Mexico Department of Health and the New Mexico Governor's office as to COVID safe practices.
The Museum of Art is accessible via RoadRUNNER Transit Route 1, Stop 1. Visit the Museums System website at: MUSEUMS | Las Cruces, NM (las-cruces.org) or follow the Las Cruces Museums on Facebook and Instagram @LCMuseums.
For information contact Bryan Lee, Education Curator, at 575/541-2217 or by email at BLee@las-cruces.org.