Students and faculty from the Department of Art and Art History are exhibiting some of their best artwork at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. This summer, about 30 works of student art went up on courthouse walls for the enjoyment of employees and the public. An additional special exhibit of 20 pieces by faculty is planned. An exhibit opening is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 24 from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. in the Courthouse Rotunda. The event is free and open to the public.
Artwork: Russell Hall's 'Moment of Clarity.'
“We have about 3,500 people coming to court each day. We have a beautiful courthouse with very little art in it. This is a wonderful opportunity that benefits all involved,” said Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Chief Judge Judith Nakamura. “Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court is practically designed as a gallery. We know the students and faculty appreciate and deserve exposure for their art and the public will enjoy viewing it.”
Jim Jacob, lecturer in Art and Art History, said, “We are very pleased to have this opportunity to exhibit the work of many of our talented faculty and students at the Metropolitan Court. The courthouse provides an ideal opportunity for community outreach and we consider this exhibition to be the first of many in what will prove to be a very productive collaborative relationship.”
A variety of media will be on display, from oils to pastels and photography. Some pieces are large and can be easily accommodated on courthouse walls. They will be exhibited in heavily trafficked public areas, from the rotunda to the Jury Lounge, Nakamura explained. She said the works will be hung for a year. Next summer, a new exhibit will be selected and displayed. The court hopes to establish a permanent collection.
“Many public buildings maintain permanent collections of fine art. Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court is an excellent venue for such a collection. We have our Scale of Justice in the courthouse plaza, and stained glass and sculpture in the rotunda. Like the New Mexico State Capitol and other courthouses, we would like to display even more of the excellent work by our state artists,” Nakamura said.
For more information contact Jim Jacob, 277-3441 or Janet Blair, 841-9897.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu