Masterworks of New Mexico Fine Art

Welcome to the Masterworks of New Mexico Web Site

participating art organizations and businesses:

Masterworks of NM is an alliance of four visual art societies in New Mexico that yearly promote a show of the same name featuring the very best of the state's artists. Founded in 1999 and growing. The 2007 show ran from March 30th through April 27at Hispanic Arts Center, EXPO NM. The 2008 show will run from April 5 - April 25, with a Preview on April 4th.

2008 MasterWorks Grand Opening Attended by 667 people
Friday, April 4, 2008

It was a beautiful time for an evening of arts. Visitors to the MasterWorks venue wound their way into the New Mexico Expo fairgrounds, driving past the auto event and flea market signs, horse trailers and riders on horseback. The warm caressing spring air lifted them through the doorway into the Hispanic Arts Building where they were greeted by beaming faces at tables filled with information about MasterWorks and the organizations that sponsor the month-long event.

Signing the guest register almost took too much time, as anticipation rose at the sight of walls filled with beckoning artwork. The MasterWorks committee, led by MasterWorks originator, Barbara Lohbeck, had outdone themselves in preparing for opening night. Information sites placed throughout the two rooms held materials about the New Mexico art scene, a folder of MasterWorks artists’ biographies, and background information on our jurors, judges and workshop leaders. Beautiful floral arrangements graced every table, including the three displaying hors d’oeuvres prepared by RGAA, New Mexico Pastel Society and New Mexico Watercolor Society.

Servers were outfitted in black, accented by ruffled white aprons. Tables offered honey glazed almond brie and lemon bars. cheeses, crackers, quiche, cookies, meat balls, crab cakes and other delicacies could be found on other tables. Ice water and a refreshing punch were hand ladled for visitors. During the later ceremonies, Barbara Lohbeck thanked the organizations for sponsoring the refreshments, a change in approach from previous years when large platters of goodies were prepared commercially. She was so impressed and gave a little laugh while surmising that there had been a bit of competition between societies for best refreshment presentation.

Our tenth annual MasterWorks show is a treat for the eyes and provides stimulation to creative energies and challenges for analysis of intent and meanings. The great variety of subject matter and styles reflects the expertise of the jurors in selecting works for the show. The representational landscapes, portraits and still-lifes were outstanding and showed well with the imaginative abstract works. Paintings complemented those adjacent, a tribute to those who had hung the show.

Some arrived in casual attire but others had great fun dressing up for the event. Men dusted off their best suits and ladies came in elegant outfits. Visitors and artists lingered in front of their favorite paintings, hugs were exchanged between artists and their friends, and lively conversations abounded. As Jeff Potter and Mary Moore glided amongst the crowd, snapping photos with their wallet sized digital cameras, ladies were seen primping their hair and adjusting hats in front of the two RGAA photographers. That is, until the handsome 7-foot tall newsman from Channel 5 arrived with a rocket-launcher sized camera balanced on his shoulder. He had participated last month in the Bravos Award s interview of Barbara Lohbeck and was inspired to investigate the excitement that surrounds MasterWorks.

The awards ceremony was presided over by Barbara Lohbeck, beginning just before 7:00 pm. Barbara was radiant, dressed in a long black skirt with alluring slit side, topped by a metallic gold jacket. She was thrilled that so many talented artists had submitted entries and stated that although she is not a painter, MasterWorks is her canvas for artistic expression. RGAA president, Barbara Nahler removed her white apron and graciously presented the oil/acrylic division awards. Woody Duncan, president of the New Mexico Watercolor Society and Elaine Koehler, president of the New Mexico Pastel Society presented awards in their respective divisions. Barbara Lohbeck presented Miniatures awards and a number of special awards.

The official count of attendees, including visitors, artists, volunteers and organizers was 667. What a fun group of producers and supporters of the arts. This is the first year we have had something other than an eyeball attendance estimate so we don’t know if it is a record. But the numbers strongly reflect the interest in New Mexico arts and artists.

story contributed by Mary Moore

PAST SHOWS

2006 Special Awards (PDF file)

SHOW REVIEWS / NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Albuquerque Journal articles about MasterWorks (PLEASE NOTE - To access the article, click on Free Trial Pass and wait until the "Enter Albuquerque Journal" message appears. Then Click on "Enter Alb Journal" and the article will become available)

2006 review http://www.abqjournal.com/venue/446896venue04-02-06.htm

2005 review http://www.abqjournal.com/venue/328699venue03-27-05.htm

Click here to Download the

2009 Prospectus for Large and Miniature Divisions

PDF file (618 Kb, 8 pages)

MasterWorks 2009 Calendar

April 4 - 25, 2009
Hispanic Arts Building — Expo NM
Tuesdays—Sundays, 10am – 5pm,
closed Easter and Mondays

Judges
Large Fine Arts — Sherrie McGraw Miniature Fine Arts — Susan Brooke

Jurors -

Large Fine Arts — Eason Eige, William Haskell and Nancy Reyner

Miniature Fine Arts — Aaron Campbell, Jennifer Eggleston and Bethe Sailer

Cash and Prizes valued at over $9,000 will be awarded.

Large Fine Arts Calendar
1/31 Digital entries and paperwork must be received.
2/21 Jury notification will be mailed by this date.

Miniature Fine Arts Calendar
3/21 Artwork delivered to Hispanic Arts Bldg 11am—1 pm.
3/28 Notification of acceptance by this date.

General Calendar
Saturday, 3/21 All Miniature entries and accepted Large Artwork are to be delivered to the Hispanic Arts Bldg.,
11 am —1 pm.

Friday, 4/3 Opening Reception & Awards, Hispanic Arts Bldg., 5—8 pm. Awards 7 pm.

Sunday, 4/19 Open House & Paint-in —Artists at Work, Noon—4 pm.
All artists, whether in the show or not, are encouraged to bring supplies to paint, sketch or sculpt.

Sunday, 4/26 Pick-up artwork, 12 - 2 pm.

Photos from the 2008 Opening Night Reception

Admiring the multitude of Miniatures (Photo by M. Moore)

An art admirer pondering "Tia II", an oil painting by Frank Fuchs (Photo by M. Moore)

The art-seeking crowd refuels at the delicious food tables provided by the three societies (photo by M. Moore)

April 4, 2008

MasterWorks 2008 Award Winners
BEST OF SHOW
Large Artwork Division - Bud Edmondson: Abandoned Dreams in watercolor
Miniature Artwork Division - Kim Bell: Lambani Craftswoman in oil

LARGE FINE ART AWARDS
Founder’s Award
In honor of Barbara Lohbeck
Johnny Mullins: Remains of the Ford—watercolor
Outstanding Achievement Awards
by Bardean Gallery, Inc.
In honor of Bud Edmondson
Sarah Siltala: Evening Solitude—oil
In honor of Paul Murray
Waid Griffin: Distant Thunder—oil
Creativity Award
by Collector’s Guide
Todd Tibbals: Utah Shapes—watercolor
RGAA Community Give Back Award
In honor of Frieda Thorsen
Frank Fuchs: Tia II—oil
Awards of Excellence
Bill Baker: Morning Sun—pastel
David Drummond: Padre Afternoon—watercolor
J.K. Drummond: Laurie’s Peaches—watercolor
Frank Fuchs: Yvonne—watercolor
Vasili Katakis: Mariposa—pastel
Judith Roderick: Storm Over Pedernal—watercolor
Acrylic/Oil
1st Place - Steve Garcia: Delicate Dancer
2nd Place - Robert Kuester: Sunset at Elena Gallegos
3rd Place - Depy Adams: Taos Winter
4th Place - Dorothy Lampl: Small Sunflowers
Honorable Mentions
Priscilla Baldwin: Toward Infinity
Robert Estep: San Felipe de Neri
Pastel
1st Place - Sarah Blumenschein: Sunflowers on the Rocks
2nd Place - Fred Miller: Educating Emily
3rd Place - Kenyon Thomas: Out of the Woods
4th Place - Kathleen Jackson: At the Old Dam
Honorable Mentions
Peggy Orbon: Canyon Sunlight
Jeff Potter: Cliff In Grand Staircase
Watermedia
1st place - Susan Weeks: Tunnel Vision
2nd place - David Chavez: Cerca de los Brasos
3rd place - David Drummond: Vase With Orchids
4th place - Eloise Rogers: Bluebird Mesa
Honorable Mentions
Frank Fuchs: Moose Lake
Lauren Johnson: Hollyhocks V

MINIATURE FINE ART AWARDS
Bardean Award
Scott Blazek, St. Matthew, pen & ink
Cathie P. Scott Memorial Award
Susan Brooke, Applebees, oil
Acrylic/Oil
1st Place - Paul Murray: Couple
2nd Place - Kim Bell: Soaring Ganesha
3rd Place - Virginia Alexander: Arcadia
Honorable Mention
Damien Gonzales: Desert Flower
George Hight: Isleta Church
Colored Pencil & Drawing
1st Place - Ben Nurry: Santuario de Chimayo
2nd Place - Filomeno Martinez: Blackbird
3rd Place - Corinne Armijo-Vialpando: Pomegranate Shade
Honorable Mention
April Radbill: The Old Road
Nancy Wood Taber: Pretty Kitty
Mixed Media & Prints
1st Place - Marjie Bassler: Sidesaddle
2nd Place - Mary Carroll Nelson: Blake’s Discovery
3rd Place - Carol Bryant: Cliffside
Honorable Mention
Lynda Burch: Heart Mountain
Carol Lopez: Kissed by the Sun
Sculpture
1st Place - Janny Pezaro: Rabbit in Iris Kimono
2nd Place - Harley Wolf: Buffalo
3rd Place - John Bell: Leonardo
Honorable Mention
Virginia Wiseman: Mr. Woodley, Horseman
Pastel
1st Place - Marilyn Drake: Bushel of Wool
2nd Place - Paul Murray: Piedra Lumina
3rd Place - Leila Hall: Carmel Series 1
Honorable Mention
Jeanine Allen: Clothesline Cottonwood
JoAnne Kennedy: Cold Stream
Watermedia
1st Place - David Drummond: Figure Study
2nd Place - Doe Bennet: Blue Pearl in Mud Curls
3rd Place - Susan Thiele: Silk Road Grotto
Honorable Mention
Carol Carpenter: Santa Fe Snow
Johnny Mullins: Community Chapel
Margy O’Brien: La Cienega Morada

604 Large Division Entries received from 285 artists

2008 Postcard

2007 Postcard

2006 Postcard

2005 Postcard

2004 Postcard

2003 Postcard

2002 Postcard

ABOUT MasterWorks of New Mexico

The MasterWorks of New Mexico Spring Art Show is now in its 10th year of exhibition. It began with a unique vision, that of combining the talents and experiences of existing fine arts organizations, each representing artists throughout New Mexico, to sponsor a show of New Mexico’s finest art. The charter board of representatives consisted of the Pastel Society of New Mexico, the New Mexico Watercolor Society, and “Miniature Arts Bardean”. It founded, then included in its second year, a new organization for oils, acrylics, and mixed media not framed under glass, the Rio Grande Art Association. The societies are always open for new membership, but this is not a requirement for entry in MasterWorks. The Spring Show is in fact four separately juried shows, which are hung together after judging and the awarding of ribbons and prizes.

MasterWorks is held in April at Expo New Mexico

Click here for a complete listing of Representatives for the 2008 MasterWorks Show (MS Word file format)

Click here for a Listing of Events during the 2008 Show

Return to the top of the page

Past Shows

MasterWorks of NM

2007 Exhibition

Congratulations to

Jane Maclean who won the $1,000 Best of Show Large Artwork Division with her Pastel entitled "Tea With Catherine"
Paul Murray who won the Best of Show for Miniature Artwork Division with his Acrylic entitled "A Requiem for Rust"
J. K. Drummond who won the the Peoples Choice Award (Most Popular) with her Watercolor entitled "Fire and Ice"

CLICK HERE for 2007 Awards Only Listing (PDF format)

CLICK HERE for the Listing of all 2007 accepted Large Painting Division works and Awards (PDF format)

CLICK HERE for the Listing of all 2007 accepted Miniature Artwork Division works and Awards (PDF format)

A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO MasterWorks 2007 Awards Sponsors

Artisan/Santa Fe, Ernest Cavasos

Framing Concepts, Colgate Craig

Nob Hill Gallery

Jack Richeson & Co., Inc.

Winsor & Newton, Inc.

Rio Grande Art Association

Collectors Guide, Don & Pamela Michaelis of Wingspread

Concetta D. Gallery, Connie Farley