New Exhibitions Open December 4, 2009

Explore the world of pattern and abstraction as three new exhibits open at the Las Cruces Museum of Art on Friday, November 20th. An artists’ reception will be held in conjunction with the First Friday Ramble, Friday, December 4th from 5 to 7 pm. The exhibitions run through Saturday, January 23rd.

Albuquerque artist Margi Weir presents “Three Decades of Inquiry,” a retrospective of her work in multiple mediums. While focusing on painting throughout her career, Weir’s work is often sculptural, and has evolved over the years from abstract to figural. She has advanced degrees in painting from both the University of California at Los Angeles and New Mexico State University and is currently an Assistant Professor of Painting and Drawing at Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan.

“Swarm” is the work of local artist, and Associate Professor at New Mexico State University, Julia Barello. She works with discarded x-ray film that is dyed and intricately cut into shapes inspired by nature. Her obsessive, jewel-toned installations are created by arranging the film into patterns and pinning it directly to the wall. Julia Barello’s artwork has been exhibited across the country and she was recently awarded Best in Show, Alternative Media at the 2008 Southwest Biennial at the Albuquerque Museum.

“Mirage,” the work of jewelry artist Rachelle Thiewes, is also on display. This collection, constructed of steel, silver, and automobile paint, was inspired by “the interplay of light and shadow and the resulting distortions of reality.” Thiewes’ unique jewelry is held in the permanent collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It has been featured in numerous publications, including The Best in Contemporary Jewelry. She is currently a Professor at the University of Texas El Paso.

Funded by the City of Las Cruces, the Las Cruces Museum of Art is located at 491 N. Main Street, at the north end of the downtown mall. Exhibits are accessible and free of charge. For information, call (575) 541-2137 or visit the website www.museums.las-cruces.org.