Join us for our newest exhibit at the Branigan Cultural Center, Wildlife of the Mesilla Valley, with an opening reception and awards ceremony taking place on Friday, February 7, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to meet featured artists and attend an artist talk by artist and art instructor Brian Fallstead, titled “The Value of Observation in Wildlife Sculpture” at 6pm that evening.
The exhibit, which will be on display from February 7, 2025, through May 24, 2025, uniquely blends creative expression with ecological and environmental education by showcasing a diverse collection of sculptures and Nature Journaling pages created by 14 local artists.
Even in a rapidly growing city like Las Cruces, wildlife remains an integral part of the environment. Wildlife of the Mesilla Valley highlights the species that inhabit the region, from the rarely seen kangaroo rat and mountain lion to more familiar creatures such as coyotes and desert cottontails, reminding us of the delicate balance between nature and urban growth.
This exhibit features 58 works of art created by 14 artists, including intricate sculptures and detailed nature journaling pages showing 32 native species. Nature journaling is the practice of recording observations of nature with words, pictures, and numbers. Informational panels accompanying the pieces explore the ecological roles of these animals and ways our society can coexist with them.
Wildlife of the Mesilla Valley not only showcases the artistry of our region but also inspires a deeper connection to the wildlife that makes the Mesilla Valley such a remarkable place. The works on display will inspire visitors to take a closer look at the wildlife around them, and to discover the unexpected abundance of life to be found in our desert environment.
Artists featured in this exhibit include sculptors Brian Fallstead, Rosario Jeremias, Pat Grace, Martha Roditti, and Rejina Christopher, and members of the Mesilla Valley Audubon Society Nature Journal Club: Cheryl Fallstead, Ellen Jaffe Castello, Kay Gross, Rusty Hendley, Yvette Hinojosa, Ann McPhee, Julia Osgood, Donna Popky, and Rebecca Rousseau.
The Branigan Cultural Center is located at 501 N. Main St. and is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. There is no admission charge. The museum is accessible from RoadRUNNER Transit Route 1 Stop 1. For additional information, visit the website at https://www.lascruces.gov/museums or call (575) 541-2154/TTY 711.