Jury Duty

"What's nice about this show, is that it gives an opportunity to artists to submit work to a juror that is a significant colleague from the region," Scully continues. "It also gives an opportunity to the museum to learn about new artists we might not have heard about and present an interesting and exciting show filled with work that hasn't been seen."

Tracing its origins to 1909, it'd be easy for the New Mexico Museum of Art to rest on its laurels and present a monotone revolving door of santos, bultos and retablos or cull from its hearty underground archives, some 20,000 pieces strong, never needing to refresh the brood with up-and-coming artists.

Adhering to its "open door policy" of yore, however, the cultural institution continues to highlight the works of artists born in the state, who live here or who were heavily influenced by it. A clear example of this is an upcoming juried exhibit of seven contemporary artists from the Southwest, selected by Nora Burnett Abrams, associate curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver.

"The exhibition is called Art on the Edge and includes talent from all of the states that touch upon the edges of New Mexico," Merry Scully, head of curatorial affairs for the museum, tells SFR.

Keeping with the theme, the Friends of Contemporary Art + Photography's special exhibit opens its doors to Jill Christian, Will Clift, Danae Falliers, Ian Fisher, Sarah McKenzie, Chris Oatey and Kate Rivers.

"What's nice about this show, is that it gives an opportunity to artists to submit work to a juror that is a significant colleague from the region," Scully continues. "It also gives an opportunity to the museum to learn about new artists we might not have heard about and present an interesting and exciting show filled with work that hasn't been seen."

Art on the Edge
5:30-7:30 pm Friday, April 17
New Mexico Museum of Art
107 W Palace Ave.,
476-5072

Santa Fe Reporter