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The Doña Ana Arts Council (DAAC) celebrated the return of one of its signature events March 5- 6, as artists, patrons and visitors were drawn to Las Cruces Convention Center for the Las Cruces Arts Fair.
“Artists and patrons alike were consistently telling me how happy they were it was back,” said DAAC Executive Director Greg Smith. “While overall numbers were down, it was a great comeback after not being able to do the Arts Fair in 2021.”
There was stiff competition for people’s attention over that weekend, and concerns about the winds and Covid were still on many minds, DAAC said in a news release. Even so, participating artists, volunteers, the Convention Center, DAAC staff, the patrons and many others “helped make the event such a shining success,” Smith said. “The smiles on so many faces were a huge reward!”
Seventy-four artists participated, Smith said, and volunteers from NMSU were among those helping set up for the fair, along with volunteers from the community who helped artists load up when the fair was over. More than 1,100 tickets were sold, and many of those attending left with works of art ranging in price from $5 to $10,000, he said.
“A driving current focus for DAAC is its programming for young people, and the success of events like the Arts Fair and the Renaissance ArtsFaire help with funding for programming such as Dawn of Discovery Arts Integration, Missoula Children’s Theatre, Opera Story Tellers Camp and Wolle Career Art Paths,” Smith said.
“We thank our community and the visitors from near and far who helped us have such a great event!” Smith said. “It is a special honor to have such a respected show with so many admired artists continuing here in Las Cruces.”
DAAC supports and promotes the arts as both part of a thriving creative economy and a source of community pride, he said.
The DAAC Arts and Cultural Center, 250 W. Amador Ave., is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 5 to 8 p.m. the first Friday of each month and noon to 5 p.m. the second Saturday of each month.
Contact Smith at 575-523-6403. Visit daarts.org.
