The Las Cruces Arts Fair opens on Friday, March 18 at 5:00 PM at the Las Cruces Convention Center. In its 6th year, the Arts Fair features original work by fine artists from throughout the United States and Mexico. Several of this year’s artists are from Las Cruces and the Mesilla Valley. Area artists showcasing their work at the Fair are Anthony Lazorko, Ben Hoffacker, Sally Quillin, Michael Stephens, John Harris, Michael Nail, Kathe Stark, and Penny Simpson.
Anthony Lazorko shares a fascinating look at the American experience in his brilliantly colored woodcuts. After studying drawing, painting and printmaking at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, Lazorko worked as a commercial artist for many years. At his studio in Mesilla, he pulls his own prints, combining rich colors and strong shapes on textured paper to create beautiful artwork.
Ben Hoffacker approaches jewelry making as if he is designing small sculptures. He aspires to create pieces that are pleasing from any viewpoint or angle and is deeply inspired by the natural world. This inspiration is often manifested in his sculptural “free form” pieces as well as depictions of wildlife.
As co-owners of the Quillin-Stephens Gallery, Sally Quillin and Michael Stephens have created a unique and welcoming art space. Sally has been a professional artist and art teacher for over 30 years. She experiments with many different mediums including acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink, pencil, and collage. Her style is not exactly realistic and not exactly impressionistic but somewhere in between. Michael Stephens has worked in photography for over 50 years. His subject matter includes landscapes, flowers, nature, and portraits. Digital photography and experimentation with new techniques have led him to discover new ways of working in his preferred medium. Stephens also works in pencil, pastels, and pen and ink.
The sculptures of John Harris are inspired by the legends of the West and the southwestern landscape. He brings new life to recycled materials, creating striking metal figures. One of his large-scale sculptures will make a unique addition to your home and it can be used in any outdoor space.
Michael Nail is a lifelong New Mexico resident and has lived in Las Cruces for 30 years. A self-taught artist with little or no formal training, Mike loved drawing and painting from an early age but did not have the time to pursue his passion full time. Now he works primarily in pencil, charcoal and ink finding Western, Native American and wildlife the subjects he is most drawn to.
After moving to the Southwest, Kathe Stark became fascinated with gourds and the endless possibilities for creative endeavors. She sees gourds as a unique natural product seemingly waiting to be enhanced. Self-taught and after much trial and error, her work has evolved. She includes wood-burned and carved designs in her gourd creations and adorns them with stone, shells, ink, paint and feathers.
Penny Simpson’s studio is in an old adobe house with incredible views of the Organ Mountains. Colored pencil was her preferred medium. Today she works primarily in watercolor, while still also using acrylic paints and colored pencils. She adds, "I get the most pleasure creating still-life and floral work with dramatic lighting."
Please join us for this signature event showcasing the incredible work of over 100 artists who were selected by a jury of local art professionals. Live music by Euterpe and Trio Romantico, plus artist demonstrations will be offered throughout the event.
The Las Cruces Arts Fair will Kick-Off with a Friday evening event that will feature live music by the guitar ensemble Euterpe of El Paso/Juarez. Patrons who purchase Friday night tickets, and arrive at the event between 5 pm and 6:30 pm, will receive a complementary beverage of their choice from the Cantina (beer, wine or soft drink). Friday night ticket-holders also are welcome to come back, free of charge, either Saturday or Sunday.
For those who need to take a break from shopping, artists will provide continuous demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday. Don’t miss this chance to meet the artists and learn more about their creative process. Be sure take the time to visit the Silent Auction. The auction features works of art donated by participating artists and other generous supporters. Proceeds from ticket sales and the Silent Auction benefit the Doña Ana Arts Council and provide funding for its numerous art education programs.
And for those who do not want to shop at all, there will be a “Sports Den” right off the entrance with a big screen TV tuned to a March Madness game—a perfect escape for non-shopping spouses.
Presented by the Doña Ana Arts Council at the Las Cruces Convention Center, admission to the Las Cruces Arts Fair is $6 per person. Children under the age of 12 are admitted free of charge. Hours are Friday, March 18, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM; Saturday, March 19, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM; and Sunday, March 20, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM.
The Las Cruces Arts Fair will be held at the Las Cruces Convention Center, located at 680 E. University Avenue in Las Cruces, NM. For more information about the Las Cruces Arts Fair, to purchase advance tickets, or to view sample art work of participating artists please visit www.DAArts.org or call 575-523-6403.