Click Here: The Rise of Mezcal as a Global Commodity, Subjects of Art Activity Series, Online Exhibits at Farm & Ranch, and More

March 30th, 2021

Explore the latest online programming from the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), bringing the state’s unique blend of cultures into your home through its museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions.

This week includes three outstanding programs:

The History and Literary Arts department at the National Hispanic Cultural Center presents the latest online lecture in the series Perspectivas Modernas “The Art and Craft of Oaxacan Mezcal” via Zoom on April 6. Not only is mezcal made in Oaxaca, Mexico, that country’s fastest-growing rural industry, it connects the region to producers, brokers, and consumers across the U.S.-Mexico border and throughout the world. In this presentation, Dr. Ronda Brulotte of the University of New Mexico discusses the rise of mezcal as a global commodity within the artisanal food movement, as well as how this transformation has impacted rural producer communities in southern Mexico. Register for this free event here.

The New Mexico Museum of Art website has a new virtual educational activity series, Subjects of Art. Subject, form, and content comprise the three basic components of a work of art. In general, subject may be thought of as the "what" in a piece of art: the topic, focus, or image. The most common subjects of art include people (portraiture), arrangements of objects (still-life), the natural world (landscape), and abstractions (non-objective). This new activity series introduces each of these subjects of art, and instructs visitors in composing their own artworks using the key elements of each approach.

Families are encouraged to join the Museum of International Folk Art for the next Virtual Family Mornings at Folk Art at 10 a.m. on April 11, featuring award-winning author Erik Speyer, who will read from his book “Kubi Meets Rosita.” The online event also includes a grab-and-go art kit and access to a Zoom program with a show-and-tell segment for children to share their art. The art kits are available for pick up the Friday and Saturday prior to the day of the event. Register in advance here to receive the art kit, which will include instructions and supplies for the project. Supplies are limited, and kits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Here are other interesting programs from across the Department:

•   The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum website has online versions of five of its exhibits. These include “Home on the Range: From Ranches to Rockets;” “Grist for the Mill;” “Livestock on the South 20;” “Monumental Territory: The Artwork of Kayla Blundell;” and an interactive map called “Rise of the Cattle Industry in New Mexico.”

•   A new episode of Science Story Time is now available on the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science website. Join museum educator Misty Carty as she reads from the children’s book “Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine,” written by Heather Lang and illustrated by Raul Colón.

More information related to social media and online resources for each division of DCA, including photos, is available upon request.