Welcome, guests, to the Manzano Mountain Art Council’s website where you’ll have instant access to news about our events, workshops, class calendar, mural projects, and other activities.
Based in Mountainair, the MMAC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a history of offering interactive arts programs in area schools, cultural events, entertainment and art projects attracting tourism and promoting arts appreciation in Mountainair and surrounding Estancia Valley since 1995.
Our newest project, the Mountain Arts on Broadway (community art center) is located at Broadway and Ross (122 E Broadway), Mountainair, New Mexico. Thanks to support from volunteers and donors, the Center will sponsor workshops and classes for area youth and adults plus house the Mountainair Community Mosaics program while providing studio space for local artists.
Check back regularly to find out about new workshop and class offerings.
Let us know your interests, as we turn the center into a venue for developing and supporting talented local artists and performers.
Join us by becoming members or donors and sponsors of these community events.
News
Sweet Retreat 2 Coming Sunday, February 26, 2 pm — mark your calendars!
President Anne Ravenstone’s letter to members summarizing MMAC activities in 2011:
Dear MMAC Members
A ho, ho, ho to you this holiday season in honor of a very jolly year thanks to the support and enthusiasm of all you Manzano Mountain Arts Council member elves!
When I accepted the presidency last spring, I told my board I was only willing to do this because the organization was at a place where people were working together, taking a lot of responsibility, and full of creative enthusiasm. Well, that was even more true than I realized at the time, and I am very pleased to be the president of this organization with such a strong, committed membership and a hard working, talented board (thank you Addie Draper, Mary Schultz, Norma Pineda, Nancy Stone, Christine Franks, Lydia Strickland, Kathy Davies, Nancy Townson, Kent Potter and Dianne Doan).
2011 started very “deliciously” with a Sweet Retreat at Alpine Alley where the membership gave valuable feedback to past and future programs. We had a raffle of the fine work of three local artists and enjoyed refreshments made by Mary Childers. Sweet Retreat II is planned for February, 2012 (can you believe it is really going to be 2012?!)
The most exciting accomplishment this year was the opening of Mountain Arts on Broadway – an art center providing space for workshops, classes, and artist studios as well as a venue for informal performances and get togethers. Many thanks to our landlord, Phil Archuletta, who lets us rent the space for a very nominal fee and to all the volunteers who put in many, many hours of work to renovate the space – Tomas Wolff, Celeste Simon (and visiting friend!), Dean Schroeder, Kathy Baur, Elaine Zabor, and Kent Potter were the main workers, but I know there were others who gave their time – thank you all.
“Bach and Brownies” was the fundraiser that assured a strong start to the art center. James Yeager presented a concert on the harpsichord that was amazing and he entertained us with historical anecdotes about the instrument and its composers that made the afternoon one to remember in Mountainair. With James’ and Elaine’s monetary match and the funds contributed, Mountain Arts on Broadway was able to get off to a strong start with a feeling of real community support.
Additionally, the year saw programming that included a June Chautauqua (with Western performer Steve Cormier), a July performance of the Community Chorus, another successful and fun Sunflower Festival in August, the ever popular De Profundis in September, The Palomas Trio fundraiser at Joan Bybee’s and Ira Jaffe’s in October, a delightful performance by Kathleen Clute of some of the pieces on her new album, and a wonderful variety of classes and workshops at the new art center. Thanks to the Bybee Foundation we were able to bring the Santa Fe Opera in for a week residency at the Elementary School in the spring and the National Dance Institute of New Mexico just completed a week residency in December – high quality programming and quite an opportunity for the young people of a small town like Mountainair.
We once again received our major grant from New Mexico Arts – thank you Karen Smith for your grant writing skills. Tomas Wolff applied for and received a grant from New Mexico Clay Association that paid for children’s clay classes this summer. Some wonderful very recent news is that a grant Kathy Davies wrote to BNSF Railroad was successful and they are sending $2,500 our way!
I apologize if there are events and people I have overlooked - we had such a rich and full year! We have new and exciting events planned for 2012. I hope you all will keep communicating your thoughts and desires regarding programming and will continue your much appreciated membership support. Have a safe (take care in all this snow and mud!) and happy holiday!
Anne Ravenstone
Art Center Seeks Mountainair Memorabilia
The Mountain Arts on Broadway (MAOB), an art center in Mountainair, is sponsoring a community art project in which it is asking area residents to contribute memorabilia that tell the town’s history. We are looking for items such as old pictures which will be copied and then transferred to tiles; old tools or found objects; and interesting historic objects, that can be securely cemented into a mosaic mural.
The painted and mosaic mural will have about 100 square feet of painted area and 60 square feet of mosaic area. The perspective of the mural would be historic and biographical with the overall design being a cosmogram (such as the design of sand paintings, mandalas, or the Aztec Calendar) which radiate from a central focus. As a symbolic interpretation of the greater Mountainair area, this cosmogram would have three principal areas:
1. The center space would be a view of the Manzano Mountains with eight surrounding images representing flora and fauna of the area.
2. Next, radiating from the center, would be a geometric pattern with images of local, cultural, and social importance, including the Salinas Pueblo Ruins, the railroad, ranching and farming activities, and multicultural symbols.
3. A large section surrounding the central images would be the biographical section which would use historic photos burned into tiles and embellished with found objects.
The mosaic will go on the East side of the “B Street” Market building located in the center of Mountainair. The project is funded by the Manzano Mountain Art Council (MMAC), parent organization of the Mountain Arts on Broadway which opened in May of 2011.
If you have photos or small memorabilia made of metal, glass or tile that could be used in the mosaic, or if you wish to be part of the mural construction team please contact Tomás Wolff at 847-2444 or by email.
The mosaic has been designed by area artists and will be overseen by MMAC. It will be constructed by artists and volunteers every Wednesday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm starting in October and lasting several months. Location: Mountain Arts on Broadway, 122 East Broadway, Mountainair.
Everyone is invited to participate! Contact Tomás Wolff at 847-2444 or by email.
Download this as a flyer.
MMAC is actively seeking donations in five major areas:
Children: We plan to supplement programs and classes directed at area school children, who have had their afterschool program and summer school eliminated by budget cuts. The recent week-long artist’s residency of two Santa Fe Opera members engaged Mountainair Elementary School children who delivered an inspiring performance about their view of the community. A $1000 donation from an MMAC member’s family foundation went toward the $3500 cost.
Civic: The Community Mosaic program needs funding, materials and volunteers. Businesses pay only a portion of the cost while MMAC grantors and donors support the rest. We have produced five murals to beautify the Mountainair downtown district and attract cultural tourism. Other communities have asked for expertise and assistance in developing murals. Mountain Arts on Broadway mural classes starting soon, will educate anyone interested in this artform.
Support the Art Center: The building, which will house workshops, classes, artists and performances for the community will cost about $5000 a year to run. In addition contributions are needed purchase chairs and other items.
The Sunflower Festival costs thousands of dollars for entertainment, building rental and advertising state-wide. The day-long festival attracts tourists providing revenue for area artists and businesses and entertains all who attend. While vendor fees generate income, there are no guarantees that it will offset expenses. Your support ensures the future of this local tradition.
Cultural Programming: MMAC offers diverse cultural programming attracting people from Mountainair, the Estancia Valley and beyond. New Mexico Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts have made grants to make these programs possible. Because granting organizations and foundations are struggling, we anticipate fewer dollars, as well as more competition and effort to obtain them. Your membership demonstrates your commitment to MMAC’s overall efforts and strengthens our standing with grantors.
Mountain Arts on Broadway
Mountain Arts on Broadway provides a space for community art projects such as the mosaic murals program, as well as hosting art classes and workshop space for area adults, seniors, and children. The art center is also a public space for presentations of dance, music, theater and the written word. Studio space is available for professional artists to rent. Eventually MMAC hopes to showcase local, regional, and national artists’ work.
Studio space is available for rent in the Art Center. More info here.
The Center is also available for other events (birthday parties, presentations, meetings, etc.). Please send inquiries to mmacInformation@att.net.
2011 Fundraising Campaign
for entertainment, programming and Sunflower Festival —
Please DONATE using the button above at left.
Mountainair
When we say Mountainair is in the heart of New Mexico, we mean it! Just a few miles form the exact center of New Mexico, Mountainair is about 66 miles southeast of Albuquerque, or 90 miles south of Santa Fe.
Click here for directions and a map!