Aug. 18—New Mexico’s art scene is like no other.
To commemorate the state’s thriving art community, 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 news release from the organization. It continued until 1968 when the last ball was held at the Alvarado Hotel.
In 2000, Heritage Hotels & Resorts restored the event in its Alvarado Ballroom inside Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town. The ball has raised millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations.
This year’s event will focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics). Its beneficiaries are R4Creating and Mandy’s Farm.
“The Land of Enchantment is a locus where science and art commingle,” 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 math).”
The art auction, “Creating Opportunity,” opened for viewing on Aug. 1 and bidding began on Aug. 14. Bidding ends at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23. The artwork can be viewed at R4Creating.org by clicking on the Montezuma Ball tab.
There are multiple pieces of art available including print, lithograph, mixed media, paintings, photography, sculpture and 3D art, Southwestern, textiles/weaving and wearable art, according to the news release.
Works include “Two Eagle Dancers” by Pablita Velarde. The piece is valued at $12,000. Velarde created the gouache painting in 1988 during the later years of her career, according to the news release. Velarde was the first Native American woman commissioned in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration.
The Southwest still life by Edward Gonzales is valued at $5,000. The oil painting by Gonzales depicts the Southwest with masterful brushwork. “Zuni Woman With Pot” by Tim Nicola is valued at $4,500. The multi-patina bronze statue is mounted on a wood base. It is numbered 12/12 and was acquired in 1998 from the artist’s wife.
“Alabaster Eagle” by Jeff Grandbois features a heart-shaped eagle body. It is valued at $3,000 and was acquired from the artist in 1990. Other items include “Smirk,” a giclee print by George Alexander II, valued at $1,000. Alexander II is a Native American emerging artist who has created work highly sought after by collectors.
Another auction item is a Santa Domingo Native American ceremonial necklace, valued at $1,500. It was crafted with handmade heishi, natural turquoise and natural coral. It features two hand tied jaclas, which were pairs of heishi earrings tied onto necklaces for storage and decoration. Variations of jaclas can include vertical slab or chunk stones at the center or layered discs with bead loops hanging from them, according to the news release.
“Our ‘Creating Opportunity’ art auction gives people an opportunity to buy some fantastic art at great prices while making a difference for the young people that both R4Creating and Mandy’s Farm serves,” Gruenig said in a statement. “The auction is not limited to people in New Mexico, so I hope people send the information out far and wide.”
