Eyes on Young Artists

Judy Chicago, collaborators: Penny Davidson Harris, Helen Courvoisie, Sally Babson, Birth Garment 1: Pregnant Amazon,1984, acrylic and pencil on cotton fabric, stitched to raw canvas, Albuquerque Museum, gift of “Through The Flower”

reputation of the Museum, its curators, and the city as an art destination.

Sometimes curators have mixed feelings about lending pieces out. The Albuquerque Museum’s two most important works of art are frequently requested: Ernest L. Blumenscehein’s Star Road and White Sun and Georgia O’Keeffe’s Gray Cross with Blue, both of which are prominently displayed in Common Ground. Curator of Art Josie Lopez says that, on the one hand, these two masterpieces are a reason that some people visit the Albuquerque Museum; on the other, having those pieces out on loan is great for the Museum’s reputation, and allows those works to be seen by many more people. Requests for loans go through a process. Curators working on projects will send a letter requesting a work. The collections team will assess the condition of a requested object to ensure it is safe to travel without being damaged. Then the director has to approve the loan. “We consider the importance of the work to the Albuquerque Museum’s exhibition and education program, and compare that to the importance of its role in the proposed temporary exhibition,” says Andrew Connors, museum director.

View selections from the Albuquerque Museum’s collection online using eMuseum. Search by artist name, by category or by collection. albuquerque.emuseum.com/collections

Mari Gray (Grade 10, Next Gen Academy High School), Reflection, 2019

EACH SPRING, ALBUQUERQUE-AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS studying photography have the opportunity to display their works in the Museum. It is a community effort and one that is a cornerstone of the Museum’s effort to support young artists. The Focus on Youth juried exhibition features 100 photographs and films.

Students juried into the exhibition also have the opportunity to receive merit awards donated by community members and businesses.

Jurors select the photographs, photography teachers and students mat and frame the show, individuals, businesses and organizations donate the awards, and museum staff in the graphics, exhibits, and collections department provide the students with a museumquality exhibition. Focus on Youth is the result of a long partnership between the Albuquerque Public Schools Fine Arts department and the Albuquerque Museum. ON VIEW MAY 2-JUNE 7, 2020 Focus on Youth