Photos and article by Charlie McKee
A standing room only crowd attended the Mimbres Region Arts Council's (MRAC) 2013 Annual Meeting on August 22, 2013, held for the first time at The Commons Center for Food Security and Sustainability, The Volunteer Center's new headquarters building.
As the evening's presentations began, Executive Director Faye McCalmont enumerated MRAC's outstanding achievements of the 2012-2013 season and outlined the exciting upcoming events of the 2013-2014 season. Outgoing Board President Blake Farley then introduced Board President Elect Ashleigh Garcia, who conducted the business meeting. However, the event spotlight was upon a single achievement throughout the evening: MRAC is a recipient of the 2013 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts.
MRAC 2013 Annual Meeting
MRAC 2013 Annual Meeting
Outgoing Board President Blake Farley turns over the MRAC reins to Board Elect President Ashleigh Garcia.
MRAC 2013 Annual Meeting
The capacity crowd enjoys refreshments in The Commons: Center for Food Security and Sustainability, the new headquarters of The Volunteer Center.
MRAC 2013 Annual Meeting
This exquisite mandolin is being raffled by MRAC. Winner will be chosen November 8, 2013.
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MRAC 2013 Annual Meeting
Jane Janson details MRAC's financial picture, with The Commons's work-in-process community kitchen as backdrop.
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MRAC 2013 Annual Meeting
Neysa Pritikin gets a chuckle from Faye McCalmont, as well as the audience, with stories of MRAC's early festival days, including climbing over fences to cook festival food and running down the street to secure festival funds.
MRAC 2013 Annual Meeting
John Rohovec, Vice Chair of the New Mexico Arts Commission, explains the significance and honor of MRAC's being recognized as a Major Contributor to the Arts by New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, due in large part to Faye McCalmont's efforts. Faye received a standing ovation from the audience.
John Rohovec spoke to the audience in his capacity as Vice Chair of the New Mexico Arts Council, which advises the Governor and the state government to "encourage artistic excellence and to promote awareness of and access to the arts for all of the people of New Mexico." Rohovec explained that the Major Contributor to the Arts Award that MRAC has received is a "long term achievement award" and that it is an unparalleled honor for MRAC, its talented artists, and art supporters in Silver City and throughout Grant County.
Farley, Rohovec, and former Board Member Neysa Pritikin credited McCalmont's steady, unflagging, and seemingly tireless leadership for the Governor's Award achievement. The audience could not have agreed more, giving McCalmont a standing ovation as confirmation. With a huge round of applause, the audience also recognized Diana Ingalls-Leyba as the "genius and leader" behind the Youth Mural Program, which just completed its 47th and 48th murals at Penny Park and the 12th Street Bridge, respectively.
The evening's presentations ended with a great deal to celebrate for the arts in Silver City.