Local artists Stone, Perez, Stevens highlight February artist talks

Bulletin report

The Las Cruces Museum of Art (MA) is hosting several artist talks throughout the month of February to celebrate “For the Love of Art Month,” the City of Las Cruces said in a news release.

The programs are free and open to the public.

Here are the talks:

• 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11: Las Cruces photographer Mel Stone will talk about his “Charreada” photography exhibition at Branigan Cultural Center. The talk will be held in person at MOA, 491 N. Main St. Downtown.

Stone, 79, is a native of Solway, Minnesota. He has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, a master’s of arts in economics and mathematics from the University of North Dakota and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Stone has been a teacher, photographer, reporter, writer and editor, and now sells his photography at Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market and his Mesquite Art Gallery.

• 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17: Gabriel Luis Perez will do a Zoom talk about his art, which is included in “The Revelation: Regional Artists from the Permanent Collection” exhibition at the Las Cruces Museum of Art. The Zoom ID is 854 8693 8832; the passcode is 422088.

Perez lives and works in Portland, Oregon, but was born and raised in southern New Mexico. His work includes painting, drawing, photography, installation and performance. Perez received a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of New Mexico and an MFA from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California. His work has shown in museums and galleries in the United States and Mexico.

• 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25: Rachel Stevens will present a Zoom talk about her art, which also is part of the current exhibition at the city’s Museum of Art. The Zoom link is 871 0974 4251; the passcode is 023053.

Stevens has been making objects and installations for four decades. In her talk, Stevens will discuss a selection of her art, including projects made in Nepal and Ukraine, where she was a Fulbright scholar, as well as those inspired by southern New Mexico’s Chihuahuan desert, the city said.

Visit las-cruces.org and click on “PLAY,” “Arts & Culture” and “Museums.” Follow Las Cruces Museums on Facebook and Instagram @LCMuseums.

For information, contact Bryan Lee, Education Curator, at 575-541-2217 and BLee@las-cruces.org.