Country music singer and song writer Michael Martin Murphey will also perform on Saturday, September 11 at the Rio Grande Theatre as part of the Color Las Cruces VIP Artist Reception.

 

Over thirty artists will compete in the plein air competition beginning Saturday morning at 8:30am. The artist will choose a location from a list of pre-designated locations where they will paint for four hours. Locations are: Downtown Farmers Market and/or Justus Wright Galeria, Mesquite District (between Nopalito Restaurant/Gallery and Unsettled Gallery), Old Mesilla (behind the Preston Contemporary Art Center or Los Artesanos), Hadley Center – Cutter Gallery and The Studio (corner of El Paseo and University.)

At the end of the allotted time, the artist will deliver their finished paintings to Club Fusion, where they will be judged by guest judge Kevin Weckbach. The winners will be announced at the VIP Reception on Saturday evening at the Rio Grande, and ALL the paintings will be displayed at the participating galleries for viewing during Sunday’s Gallery Hop on September 12. All work will be for sale.

The public is invited to any of the locations to  watch the artistic process and attend the free gallery hop. The Saturday night reception is also open to the public. Tickets are available for $40 per person, $70 per couple, or $34 with a military ID. The reception starts 6 pm. All proceeds from the reception go towards the DAAC Career Art Path Program. Tickets can be purchased in the DAAC office or online at www.las-cruces-arts.org.

Participating galleries will feature exciting, new exhibits as well as the results of the Plein Air contest, with all artists in attendance. Galleries include: Cutter Gallery featuring “Waterworks” by Nancy Begin; The Studio featuring the premiere artwork of Robert Carlson, Tracy Jamison, Susan Loverin; Julienne Jewelry featuring a live demonstration of fascinating hand blown glass creations; Los Artesanos featuring watercolors by Michele Arterburn and photography by Elaine Frank; Justus Wright Galeria; M. Phillips Fine Art Gallery featuring Tuscany Countryside paintings by Gordon Breckenridge; Rio Grande Theatre galleries featuring the Plein Air Painters of El Paso, Napolitos Gallery featuring the Las Cruces Arts Association; Unsettled Gallery featuring “Intense Dialogue” by The Border Artists;, The Mesquite Art Gallery featuring Mel Stone photography.  The Gallery Hop is from noon until 4pm and is free of charge. Interested parties can pick up programs and maps at each gallery, or the DAAC office, prior to the event.