The Roswell Museum floods, artist Danielle SeeWalker sues Vail, and more top Southwest art news headlines for November 2024.
News
After devastating flood, historic Roswell Museum seeks support for multi-year recovery:
The Roswell Museum, a cultural landmark since 1937, suffered significant damage during historic and deadly flooding on October 19 and 20, initiating a multi-year recovery to restore its galleries and collections. The 51,000-square-foot facility—including galleries, a planetarium, classrooms, and studios—was submerged in up to six feet of water, severely impacting its infrastructure and exhibits. Donations to the RMAC Foundation will directly aid in the museum’s rehabilitation, for which the museum is working with FEMA and conservation experts from the Smithsonian Institution.
ACLU sues Vail for revoking artist residency over Gaza artwork:
The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the town of Vail on behalf of Lakȟóta artist Danielle SeeWalker, alleging that her free speech rights were violated when her artist residency was revoked due to a social media post discussing the war in Gaza. SeeWalker, who is a citizen of North Dakota’s Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, contends that the cancellation suppressed her views “as both an artist and a person of color,” impacting her career and opportunities.
Rising costs force closure of Las Vegas gallery Core Contemporary:
Core Contemporary in Las Vegas will close its doors on December 13, marking the occasion with a New Orleans-style jazz funeral and wake. Gallery owner Nancy Good expressed deep disappointment over the closure, stating on Instagram, “After investing nearly half a million dollars of my own money… I’m simply done.” The gallery’s struggles mirror those of other arts venues like the recently closed Priscilla Fowler Fine Art, underscoring the financial pressures on arts businesses in or near the Las Vegas Arts District. Good continued, “I still believe that Las Vegas is an arts town… but our local hospitality industry and tourism agencies haven’t yet realized they are missing the boat.”
James Magee, creator of West Texas monument The Hill, dies at 79:
James Magee, the enigmatic artist behind The Hill—a monumental art installation in the West Texas desert—died on September 14, prompting a nationwide reexamination of his underrecognized contributions to American art. His passing has brought renewed attention to his four-decade-long project comprising four massive stone buildings that house intricate assemblages made with industrial and organic materials.
SITE Santa Fe announces theme for 12th International Exhibition:
SITE Santa Fe’s 12th International Exhibition will be titled and themed Once Within a Time. Curated by Cecilia Alemani and opening on June 27, 2025, the show invites local, national, and international artists to breathe new life into the stories of New Mexico’s historical and mythical figures. The exhibition will expand beyond the museum into cultural institutions and unconventional spaces across Santa Fe.
Texas expands cultural landscape with new Dallas foundation and Meow Wolf’s Houston exhibition:
Art collectors Howard Rachofsky and Thomas Hartland-Mackie have established The Warehouse Dallas Art Foundation to promote experimental exhibitions and public arts education, while Santa Fe-based entertainment company Meow Wolf debuts Radio Tave, an immersive art experience in Houston’s historic Fifth Ward featuring over 100 artists, on October 31.
Grants and Awards
Mellon Foundation launches $25 million fund for U.S.-Mexico border arts:
The Mellon Foundation has announced the Frontera Culture Fund, a $25 million initiative supporting arts organizations, artist-led projects, and grassroots community groups along the U.S.-Mexico border, aiming to sustain and amplify the region’s diverse cultures and creative traditions.
Bob and Ellen Vladem, Arlo Namingha, and John Garrett receive New Mexico governor’s arts awards:
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts honored seven New Mexico artists and arts leaders in early October, including major donors Robert and Ellen Vladem, renowned sculptor Arlo Namingha (Hopi/Tewa), and fiber artist John Garrett for their significant impact on the state’s cultural landscape.
Frick Arts Foundation gives unconditional $1,000 grants to Austin artists:
Ten up-and-coming artists in Austin have received surprise $1,000 awards from the Frick Arts Foundation, a new organization dedicated to nurturing the city’s visual arts scene without requiring applications or imposing restrictions. “You don’t need to be a billionaire to support the arts community in Austin; regular people can do it too,” noted co-director Mark Frick.
Southwestern Artists among finalists in National Portrait Gallery exhibition:
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has announced that Southwestern artists Al Rendon from San Antonio, Texas, and Vicente Telles and Stephanie J. Woods from Albuquerque, New Mexico, are among the thirty-six artists selected for The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today, a triennial exhibition opening May 3, 2025.
Phoenix Art Museum hosts Tucson-born artist Eamon Ore-Giron for lecture, major commission:
Tucson-born, Los Angeles-based artist Eamon Ore-Giron, recently featured in the 2024 Whitney Biennial, will deliver a November 13 lecture at Phoenix Art Museum and unveil plans for a new large-scale painting commission set to premiere at the museum in early 2025.
Leadership Changes and Appointments
New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs enhances leadership with trio of curators:
The Museum of International Folk Art promotes Felicia Katz-Harris to director of curatorial affairs; the New Mexico History Museum appoints David Newell as head of curation and exhibits; and the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture names Elisa Phelps as head of curatorial affairs, enriching the state’s cultural institutions.
Ucross Foundation president Bill Belcher announces departure, names successor in Wyoming:
After seven years with Wyoming’s multidisciplinary artist residency program Ucross—including nearly three as president and executive director—Bill Belcher will step down in December, announcing deputy director Caitlin Addlesperger as his successor starting January 1, 2025.
