[Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Requesting Artists to Create Works of Art for "Abundant Life" Juried Exhibition in August Visit Valle Vidal and Create

[Jim O'Donnell]

Requesting Artists to Create Works of Art for "Abundant Life"
Juried Exhibition in August - Visit Valle Vidal and Create

"We want artists to experience the area's incredible beauty."

TAOS, NM (May 24, 2006) - Everyone's talking about saving the Valle 
Vidal from coalbed methane drilling, but how many of us can say we've 
ever actually been there?

In an attempt to give regional artists easy access to what has been 
termed "New Mexico's Yellowstone," the Coalition for the Valle Vidal is 
inviting artists to a special presentation on Tuesday, June 13th in El 
Taose–o Room at Coronado Hall by Bill Brown, Science Advisor for CVV, 
who will show a PowerPoint presentation and offer maps and planning 
tips for summertime visits.

"We want artists to experience the area's incredible beauty," says 
Betsy Carey, one of the organizers of the presentation and subsequent 
exhibition. "Its abundant wildlife, rare and stunning scenery, vast 
meadows, alpine forests, streams and lakes are breathtaking and this 
program will offer directions and tips for how and when to visit."

In conjunction with this informational event, a juried art exhibition, 
"Abundant Life," featuring work that reflects these visits will take 
place Friday, August 25th from 6-9 pm at the Taos County Club's Gallery 
on the Green.

"We are encouraging artists to do their work in any medium," says 
Carey. "Oil, oil pastel, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, pencil and 
paper, wood carving, sculpture, photography, pottery, jewelry or mixed 
media will all be accepted for the jury process."

Artists who wish to submit are asked to bring their work to the Taos 
Country Club on Monday, August 21, from 4-6 pm. The jury process will 
take place on Tuesday, August 22nd and the exhibition will take place 
Friday, August 25th.

The public is invited to attend the August 25th exhibition for $25 per 
person, which will cover lavish appetizers with the remainder going to 
CVV. There will be a cash bar. The artists will take 50% of their sales 
with the remaining 50% going directly to the Coalition for the Valle 
Vidal.

The Coalition includes over 400 organizations comprising New Mexico 
local governments, private businesses and more than 70,000 individuals 
throughout the political spectrum across New Mexico and the USA. 
Invitations to the Abundant Life exhibition have been sent to 
legislators statewide, including Governor Bill Richardson, Congressman 
Tom Udall, Senator Jeff Bingaman as well as Congressperson Heather 
Wilson and her election year opponent, NM Attorney General Patricia 
Madrid.

For more information call Betsy Carey at 505.737.0682