Recognition for Truth or Consequences as a destination for art and culture continues to grow and this weekend only served to bolster that perception. And the Sierra County Arts Council (SCAC) was at the center of it all.
The eventful weekend started with the Student Art Show held at the Ralph Edwards Civic Center, which was open to all Hot Springs High School students. It began with a Friday evening preview followed by a day of judging and a major scholarship presentation to the student artist deemed best overall. The middle school and high school students competed by grade level, with judges selecting the top three finishers in each grade. Those winners in each age group were awarded cash prizes as well.
The event was a collaboration between The Center Gallery Fine Art and the SCAC. Artwork by the top winners will be displayed at the Center Fine Art Gallery. From all entries a “Best of Show” was chosen. This year it was artist Angela Smith who will receive a $1,000 scholarship. In all, the The Center Fine Art Gallery and the SCAC gave out more than $4,600 in awards to Hot Springs High School students. Additionally students had the opportunity to sell their work and this year 24 pieces sold including two students who sold all of their entries.
On Saturday evening the unveiling reception for the “Birdie Affair” fundraiser took place at RioBravoFineArt, Gallery. The SCAC was again at the forefront of this gathering of artists and art admirers. More than 30 creative birdhouses, bird baths, and bird feeders crafted by SCAC members and non-members were on display. Along one wall was a table of clipboards enabling browsers to become bidders in the silent auction. Amid a roomful of live music (provided by RGee Duo), refreshments, and artists; the space was abuzz with comments, compliments and conversation. A perfect blend of art and community.
Huge kudos go out to Rebecca Speakes of the SCAC and Eduardo Alicia of RioBravoFineArt, Gallery for pulling this together and providing the venue. The Birdie Affair fundraiser brought in more than $2,500 benefitting the Carol Plec Public Art Fund as well as the SCAC Scholarship Fund. Plans for next year’s event are already in the works.
Filling out the weekend were a couple of other events promoted by the SCAC including the Horse’s Mouth Traveling Circus that wowed attendees on Saturday evening outside Sidekixx on Cedar Street and delivered a matinee on Sunday afternoon at the TorC Brewery. Marianne Blaue and John Masterson, owners of both establishments, are continually working to provide more than just food and beverages. Monthly staples like Karaoke Night, Open Mic, and Trivia Night are growing in popularity, but special events like the circus add so much to the community.
While the Civic Center was bustling with the art crowd on Saturday, nearby the community garden was celebrating Earth Day with information and demonstrations on planting, nutrition, garden tours, veggie sales, and more. This included an exclusive plein art silent auction by local artists. The community groups that joined to organize and sponsor this included The 4th Street Community Garden, Prickly Pear Food Co-op, TorC Litter Pickers, and Sierra County Composts.
Adding to the weekend, the Sierra County Airport was hosting the Sierra County Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Fly-In which featured a number of unusual aircraft and a chance to mingle with aircraft aficionados. The free event showcased more than two dozen interesting aircraft and gave visitors the opportunity to learn more about the airport as well as the local chapter of the EAA.
It was a busy weekend indeed. But catch your breath — we’re just 2 weeks away from Fiesta. And the following week is another SCAC Art Hop. Let the good times roll.
Some of the content for this article was provided by The Center Gallery Fine Art and by Rebecca Speaks of the SCAC. The SCAC promotes all aspects of visual and performance art through events like Second Saturday Art Hop, student scholarships, and public art programs. Membership in SCAC is open to all artists and art supporters throughout Sierra County. For more information contact the Sierra County Arts Council at scacnewmexico@gmail.com or call 575-894-0615. Visit the SCAC website at www,sierracountyarts.org for more information.