 Photo: Wes Naman
By Sophia Carvlin Miller
The New Mexico State Fair has been an integral part of this state’s
history for 71 years. While the fair has undergone some major changes
during that time, during the past few years, fair organizers have taken
several steps to make sure the fair and its home keep up with the
times. The revamping of the State Fair and Expo Arts department brings
even more exciting changes this year.
“After speaking directly with artists and arts patrons, it became clear that the fair and Expo Arts programs were suffering from a case of ‘business-as-usual’ apathy,” related Sundi Tyler, arts director, in a recent interview with Local iQ. Tyler said that Expo New Mexico, the organization that runs the fair and all year-round activities at the fairgrounds, is experiencing a new spirit of renewal that has enabled some of the major changes in the art department this year. This is all part of an effort to attract local and visitor interest.
“Expo has an incredible history and a magnificent permanent (art) collection that most of the public is not aware of,” Tyler said. The fairgrounds currently house four spaces that feature a permanent collection and other exhibits. These include the 55-year-old Native American Indian Arts Gallery, the Hispanic Arts Center, the Fine Arts Gallery and the School Arts Building. Each year, Expo’s various art exhibits draw thousands of entrants, making the State Fair’s arts exhibit the largest arts event in the state.
While the sheer volume of art at the State Fair may be impressive, Tyler said that Expo hopes to raise the quality of art to an impressive level as well. The organization has changed the judging and entry process to create a higher standard for exhibits, as well as made a concerted effort to attract a wider array of artists.
“We’ve done more PR and direct outreach with the arts community this year than ever before,” Tyler said. Additionally, Expo raised the dollar amount of premiums for participating artists and expanded its exhibits to a larger variety of media. In the spirit of expansion and keeping up with the times, Expo will feature the New Mexico State Fair Film Retrospective for the first time this year.
This program will feature films made in New Mexico between 1898 and 1998, the first 100 years of the state’s film industry. Throughout the run of the State Fair, 40 to 50 films will be shown at the newly built African American Pavilion Art Center. Films will be free with fair admission and will be shown twice daily, at 2 and 7p.
“The film industry has never been as prominent or as lucrative for New Mexico as it is right now,” Tyler said. “The (fair) is all about history and so, all things considered, it’s really a natural fit for inclusion (of the film component).” The film component of N.M. Expo’s art programs also includes a component called the Next Generation of New Mexico Film Makers festival and workshops. This event will showcase new films from young local filmmakers and offer small workshops on video and film production for youth between 10 and 16 years of age.
Expo New Mexico’s arts programs won’t end with the State Fair. The galleries at the fairgrounds will continue feature exhibits the year. In December, the Fine Arts Gallery will host the Annual New Mexico Photographic Art Show. Tyler said the goal is to become part of Albuquerque’s monthly ArtsCrawl.
Instead of pushing aside older, established arts endeavors, all of these changes embody an effort in revitalization while maintaining a legacy.
As Tyler put it, “You could say there’s a new ‘culture of conversion’ here at the fair – trying to convert old, inaccurate perceptions of Expo and the fair (unsafe, dilapidated, nothing new) into a renewed interest in and love for this place, which holds 71 years of New Mexico history.”
Sundi Tyler
Arts Director, State Fair & Expo Arts
Expo New Mexico
exponewmexico.com
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