What a delight it was to step inside the New Mexico Art League building for the portrait and figure exhibition, Facing The Muse, sponsored by the Portrait Society of America in collaboration with the New Mexico Art League (NMAL). This exhibition was thoughtfully and beautifully displayed throughout the newly renovated NMAL building and was well received by a large crowd which spilled out into the garden with excited talk about the show.
After talking with Cynthia Rowland, the State Portrait Ambassador for New Mexico, I learned of the connection between the two organizations. The New Mexico Art League is one of the oldest such organizations in the country. It was begun by UNM art professors in 1929 to serve as a venue for showing their work and a forum in which to interact with the local art community. The League became a thriving part of Albuquerque which lasted well into the 70's but thereafter fell onto hard times. However, over the past several years a group of professional and aspiring artists and community leaders have worked diligently toward bringing the New Mexico Art League back to its former glory. The New Mexico Art League now offers excellent workshops and classes and has recently hosted several impressive exhibitions, "Facing the Muse" being its most recent.
The purpose of the Portrait Society of America is to foster and enhance the understanding of the practice, techniques and applications of traditional fine art portraiture and figurative works. These activities are instructional in nature. By working with the New Mexico Art League as a venue, the group has been able to offer this juried exhibition to the public. Internationally known figure artist Tony Ryder will be doing a demonstration at the New Mexico Art League on Thursday, October 18, from 5:30pm - 8:00pm. Mr. Ryder is known for his book, "The Artist's Complete Guide to Drawing the Figure" and now runs his own school in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
About midway through the opening reception, Rowland announced exhibition awards in the following categories:
Best of Show, Mimi Jungbluth, “Midsummer’s Day Dream”
First Place, Professional, Robert Kuester, “Kelsey”
Second Place, Professional, Nancy Davis, “Sarah at the Window”
Third Place, Professional, Cynthia Rowland, “Self-portrait in One Color”
First Place, Aspiring, Doretta Bendalin, “Delaney and Madison”
Second Place, Aspiring, Barbara Endicott, “Luis”
Third Place, Aspiring, Rosalyn Roembke, “Eva”
Honorable Mention, Mary Jane Manford, “Everett Lawley III”
NM Art League Award, Marilyn Drake, “Effervescent”
Facing The Muse portrait exhibition will hang through October 26 at the New Mexico Art League, 3409 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM, (505) 293-5034, www.newmexicoartleague.org, Monday - Saturday, 10am-4pm.
