The University Art Gallery at New Mexico State University is hosting a community art project with artist John Garret for the production of three very distinct quilts that will be constructed.
The work will take place from May 24 – July 14 in the gallery at 1390 East University Avenue. The building will be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Members of the community are invited to participate in the process by contributing fabric from their clothing, household fabrics, even old dishtowels or curtains and sewing scraps. All materials, colors and designs are welcome and the fabric can be from any time period.
“Participants will use their distinct styles and fashions to help construct the quilts and bring the visual narrative of Las Cruces to a wide audience through the completion of this communal work in the UAG,” said Marisa Sage, director of the gallery. “What do you have in your closet that you never dared to part with, but is no longer wearable, for whatever reason? Bring it out, donate it to Community Quilt, and have it represent you in perpetuity.”
The event will run during the UAG’s ‘Here & Now’ regional juried exhibition May 24-July 14 and at the Las Cruces Museum of Art May 11-June 21. ‘Here and Now’ includes works created by artists living and working within a 150 mile of Las Cruces.
Paintings, prints, photographs, video, ceramics and sculpture highlight the diverse approaches to creative expression found in Southern New Mexico and West Texas.
The gallery will host a joint opening reception for both shows from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, June 1. There will be a free shuttle going back and forth between the museum and the UAG from 5-7:30 p.m.
Artist John Garrett will host a community day from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday, June 9 at the University Art Gallery with a special design workshop for kids from 1-2 p.m. He also will host another community day at the Las Cruces Museum of Art during the farmers market from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Bring your fabric.
Garrett’s community day will be in conjunction with the new 10-10 Arts Hop series. Through the 10-10 Arts Hop, the UAG is partnering with local participating galleries and arts organizations from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. for 12 hours of art in Las Cruces every second Saturday to promote art viewing and activities in greater Las Cruces.
Author: Jasmine Woodul – NMSU
