August 18 – The art scene in New Mexico is unique.
To honor the state’s thriving arts scene, the Montezuma Ball Committee is hosting an online art auction. The Montezuma Ball was created in 1902 as part of the New Mexico Territorial Fair, according to a press release from the organization, and continued until 1968, when the last ball was held at the Alvarado Hotel.
In 2000, Heritage Hotels & Resorts hosted the event again in its Alvarado Ballroom at the Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town. The ball raised millions of dollars for charitable organizations.
The focus of this year’s event is STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and beneficiaries are R4Creating and Mandy’s Farm.
“The Land of Enchantment is a place where science and art come together,” said Shelly Gruenig, founding executive director of R4Creating, in a statement. “This is the essence of STEAM, where art intersects with the technical excellence of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).”
The Creating Opportunity art auction opened on August 1st and bidding began on August 14th. Bidding ends on Friday, August 23rd at 7:30 p.m. The artwork can be viewed on R4Creating.org by clicking on the Montezuma Ball tab.
Numerous artworks are available, including prints, lithographs, mixed media, paintings, photographs, sculptures and 3D art, Southwestern, textiles/weaving and wearable art, the press release states.
The works include “Two Eagle Dancers” by Pablita Velarde. The work is valued at $12,000. Velarde created the gouache painting in 1988 in the later years of her career, the press release said. Velarde was the first Native American woman commissioned by the Works Progress Administration in 1939.
The still life “Southwest” by Edward Gonzales is valued at $5,000. Gonzales’ oil painting depicts the Southwest with masterful brushwork. “Zuni Woman With Pot” by Tim Nicola is valued at $4,500. The bronze statue with multiple patinas is mounted on a wooden base. It is numbered 12/12 and was purchased by the artist’s wife in 1998.
“Alabaster Eagle” by Jeff Grandbois depicts the body of a heart-shaped eagle. It is valued at $3,000 and was purchased by the artist in 1990. Other items include “Smirk,” a giclee print of George Alexander II, valued at $1,000. Alexander II is an emerging Native American artist whose work is highly sought after by collectors.
Another auction item is a Santa Domingo Native American ceremonial necklace valued at $1,500. It was made from handmade heishi, natural turquoise and natural coral. It includes two hand-tied jaclas, pairs of heishi earrings tied to necklaces for storage and decoration. Variations of jaclas can include vertical slabs or chunks in the center or layered disks with loops of beads hanging from them, the news release said.
“Our ‘Creating Opportunity’ art auction gives people the opportunity to buy amazing art at great prices while also giving back to the young people served by both R4Creating and Mandy’s Farm,” Gruenig said in a statement. “The auction is not limited to people in New Mexico, so I hope people spread the information widely.”
