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Diana Molina is 2021 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Winner

Las Cruces, NM – On this edition of PUENTES a la comunidad, bridges to the community, host Emily Guerra spoke with Juntos Art Association Creative Director and Curator, Diana Molina. She is the recipient of this year’s Gold Award from the Independent Book Publishers Association’s 33rd Annual IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award under the category of Political & Current Events for her book “Icons & Symbols of the Borderland: Art From The US-Mexico Crossroads.” Only one Gold winner was named in each category during virtual “watch parties” held on the evenings of May 11-14, 2021.

The Juntos Art Association’s current exhibit is in Carlsbad, New Mexico at the Carlsbad Museum, 418 W. Fox Street. Molina says “you can view the US-Mexico borderland saga through the eyes of artists who’ve lived it. More than 100 artworks represent a variety of mediums, from large paintings to mixed-media collage, neon, photography, and sculpture. The images explore the region’s animal and plant ecosystems, food and religious culture, and history.”

A two-day Exhibit Celebration starts Friday, July 16th at 6 p.m. with “Borderlands Poeticas and Slam Poetry: How the spoken Word Empowers Us All” by Jessica Helen Lopez, Poet Laureate, Emeritus of the City of Albuquerque, NM. Then on Saturday, July 17th, from 3-9 p.m. is the Exhibit Fiesta. From 3-5 p.m. is the “Meet the Artists, Reception ad Gallery Talk;” with a presentation by Diana Molina; and “Boleros y Rancheras” by Robert Palacios, Executive Director of NM Advocates for the Arts in Las Cruces, NM. From 6-9 p.m. dance to the music of Frontera Bugalu from El Paso, Texas. Admission is FREE. Information: juntosart.org; cityofcarlsbadnm.com; Carlsbad Museum (575)867-0276.