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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Editor’s note: The fourth Sunday of each month, Journal Arts Editor Adrian Gomez tells the stories behind some of the hidden gems you can see across the state in “Gimme Five.”
“Arc of Peace” is located outside of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. (Robert Browman/Albuquerque Journal)
Museums house pieces of history for the public to enjoy.
Yet, outside many, there are still surprises to be found.
Take the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, for instance. Though it had been closed for the majority of the pandemic, there were always works of wonder to be seen around its campus.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. At more than a century old, the New Mexico Museum of Art houses pieces of the state’s artistic history.
Located off the Santa Fe Plaza, the structure is a piece of art on its own – melding the traditional Hispanic and Pueblo architecture.
With an abundance of art on view, it’s easy to be overwhelmed while visiting the museum.
Yet, Christian Waguespack, has some not-to-be-missed pieces.
Curator Christian Waguespack
Waguespack is the curator of 20th Century Art and often conducts research on the museum’s collection focusing on modern art and art of the American Southwest.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Editor’s note: The fourth Sunday of each month, Journal Arts Editor Adrian Gomez tells the stories behind some of the hidden gems you can see across the state in “Gimme Five.”
Jadira Gurulé has had time to become familiar with the permanent collection at the National Hispanic Cultural Center Art Museum.
She’s worked her way up from her days as a volunteer and intern. She was officially hired as a curator in November 2016 and quickly made a splash curating internationally-recognized exhibits.
“Barco Japonesa II,” Paula Castillo. (Courtesy of NHCC Art Museum)
Her vision is behind its current exhibit, “Mira, Mira On the Wall: Reflecting on 20 Years of NHCC Exhibitions.”
Through it all, each piece of art resonates with visitors.
“Ball in the Window” by William Weaver.
Wren Prather-Stroud is the secretary of the New Mexico Arts Commission.
She’s also been around to see the arts park grow – not only in size – but in the amount of public art in the area.
“Cougar” by Cynthia Rowland.
“Because of the arts park, the area has grown exponentially,” Prather-Stroud says. “Before COVID, we used to have live performances down there and a movies in the park series. We haven’t had anything in awhile. There is a reason that we added the ‘s’ to arts park. We wanted it to be a home for visual arts and performance arts. The park has become a fabric of our lives.”