Each year, the National Endowment for the Arts honors folk artists, storytellers, performers, and musicians throughout the United States for their contributions to traditional art forms. The National Heritage Fellows demonstrate artistic excellence and a commitment to their art forms through their processes, techniques, and transmission of the knowledge to others that strengthens and enriches their communities.
New Mexico residents are well-represented in this distinguished group of talented artists, especially given the size of the state’s population. The Museum of International Folk Art holds examples of the works of all the Fellows from New Mexico in its collections, from weavings, colcha embroidery and silversmithing, to pottery, tinwork, straw appliqué, hide painting, retablos, and woodcarving.
“The quality and range of artworks created by New Mexico’s National Heritage Fellows is impressive. The exhibit will stand as testimony to the dedication and skill of these talented artists;” said Dr. Joyce Ice, Director of the Museum of International Folk Art.
A Century of Masters opens July 19, 2009 and is scheduled to close May 1, 2010; and celebrates the Museum of New Mexico’s 100th anniversary
The National Heritage Fellowship Artists from New Mexico are:
George López (artist, woodcarver, deceased) 1982
Margaret Tafoya (Santa Clara potter, deceased) 1984
Cleofes Vigil (storyteller, singer, deceased) 1984
Helen Cordero (Cochiti potter, deceased) 1986
Emilio & Senaida Romero (artists, tinwork and colcha embroidery, deceased) 1987
Frances Varos Graves (colcha embroiderer, deceased) 1994
Ramón José López(artist, santero and silversmith) 1997
Roberto & Lorenzo Martinez (musicians) 2003
Charles M. Carrillo (artist, santero) 2006
Esther Martinez (San Juan storyteller, deceased) 2006
Eliseo & Paula Rodriguez (artists, straw appliqué) 2004
Irvin Trujillo (Rio Grande weaver) 2007
For more detailed information on the artists you may click on the Fellows name above or visit the Museum’s web site at,
www.moifa.org
The Museum of International Folk Art houses the world’s largest collection of international folk art, with ongoing exhibitions Multiple Visions: A Common Bond in the Girard Wing. A Century of Masters opens the newly renovated Hispanic Heritage Wing. Changing and traveling exhibitions are offered in the Bartlett Wing and exhibitions highlighting textiles are featured the Neutrogena Wing. Lloyd’s Treasure Chest offers visitors interactive displays about collections and how museums care for collections.
The Museum of International Folk Art is a Division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.
Information for the Public Location: The Museum of International Folk Art is located on Museum Hill™, Camino Lejo off Old Santa Fe Trail.
Contact: 505-476-1200 or International Folkart
Days/Times: Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day the Museum is also open on Monday at the same time.
Admission: School groups free. Children 16 and under free. New Mexico residents with ID free on Sundays. New Mexico resident Senior Citizens (age 60+) with ID free Wednesdays. Museum Foundation members free. NM Veterans with 50% or greater disability free. Students with ID $1 discount. Single visit to one museum: $8.00 for non-state residents; $6.00 for New Mexico residents. Four-day pass to five museums including state-run museums in Santa Fe plus The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art $18.00. One-day pass for two museums (Museum of International Folk Art and Museum of Indian Arts and Culture OR The New Mexico Museum of Art and Palace of the Governors) $12.00. Group rate for ten or more people: single visit $6.00, four day pass $16.00.
