New Mexico’s best: Winners of arts awards announced
Gov. Susana Martinez and the New Mexico Arts Commission announced eight artists and major contributors to the arts who will be recipients of the 2016 Annual Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts.
“Our arts and culture make New Mexico unique and are very important economic and tourism drivers in our state,” Martinez said. “These artists and arts supporters represent the very best New Mexico has to offer. Through the Governor’s Arts Awards, we recognize the diverse and amazing talents of these 2016 recipients and celebrate their dedication and contributions that ensure our arts and culture are accessible to all, and that our creative industries continue to thrive.”
The 2016 Governor’s Arts Awards ceremonies will be held Sept. 23 in the St. Francis Auditorium of the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe.
Past awardees include Georgia O’Keeffe, Robert Redford, George R.R. Martin, Maria Martinez, Tony Abeyta, Glenna Goodacre, Tony Hillerman, N. Scott Momaday, Tammy Garcia, and Catherine Oppenheimer. The award recipients are:
David Bradley is a Santa Fe painter and mixed-media artist. He is one of the nation’s most respected and well-known Native American artists, and his work has inspired at least three generations of artists.
Nicholas Herrera of El Rito is an artist who works in painting, sculpture and mixed media. He has pioneered a folk art form with his more personal interpretations of traditional bultos and retablos, using wood and recycled metal, including salvaged automobile parts.
Elodie Holmes of Santa Fe is a glass artists. She is an internationally acclaimed artist of the contemporary glass movement who has spent more than 35 years honing her craft.
Felix López of Española is an master santero of Spanish Colonial bultos. He who grew up in the village of Santa Cruz, is one of the most accomplished artists of his generation, renowned as a leader and a teacher dedicated to preserving the traditions of Santeros and to inspiring others.
Jim Vogel of Dixon is a painter. Born in Roswell, Vogel was encouraged by his parents to pursue drawing and painting as a child. He is now considered a storyteller with a paintbrush.
Dr. Ramakrishna and Ammu Devasthali of Las Cruces as major contributors to the arts.
Michael Hurd of San Patricio is a major contributor to the arts. The youngest son of Peter Hurd and Henriette Wyeth Hurd, Hurd was born in Roswell and raised on the family’s Sentinel Ranch in the Hondo Valley.
New Mexico Magazine of Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts: Founded in 1923 as the New Mexico Highway Journal, it is the oldest state magazine in the country.