Arts, Culture and Festival Events

For the 30th year, the Doña Ana Arts Council (DAAC) invites the public to join them in celebrating local supporters of the arts at the Community Arts Awards. This year the event is also a gala fundraiser for the non-profit organization. The celebration will be held at DAAC’s new Arts & Cultural Center in Mesilla’s Bulletin Plaza at 1740 Calle de Mercado on Sunday, October 1, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

The event will include award presentations to those who were selected in three categories: the Newcomer Award to Nan Rubin of KTAL Radio, the Public Service in the Arts Award to City Councillor Greg Smith, and the Papen Family Award will be presented posthumously to community volunteer and arts supporter Ann Palormo, who passed away in November 2016. Recipients were nominated earlier in the year and will be honored for their dedication to the arts in the Mesilla Valley during the gala.

Entertainment at the gala will be provided by the popular local band Oldies but Goodies, who will play swinging tunes from the 1950’s on the adjacent patio, providing plenty of room for dancing. Dance demonstrations by NMSU DanceSport will get the crowd on their feet and onto the dance floor. There will also be delicious appetizers donated by Hacienda de Mesilla, La Posta, Lorenzo’s on University Ave., Paisano Cafe, and Salud! de Mesilla, as well as wine from St. Clair, beer from High Desert Brewery, finished with dessert from Caliche’s.

The event will feature a “wine wall,” with bottles of wine donated by local wineries and community members and a “silent auction with a twist.” Attendees will receive two “fun” tickets to either exchange for a chance to win a selection from the wine wall, or the chance to purchase a silent auction item. Additional fun tickets will be available for purchase.

Executive Director Kathleen Albers says, “The business community is really coming out to welcome us and help us raise money by donating for the Gala Fundraiser. We want to make this new facility a truly functional arts center that is available for the community to use and enjoy. We hope to add a projector screen, window treatments, a visual art hanging system, noise baffling, a sound system and possibly a kitchen to support the culinary arts. We’d love to offer classes on traditional New Mexico cooking.”

Tickets are $25 in advance ($30 at the door) and may be purchased by calling 575-523-6403, in person at the DAAC offices, 1740 Calle de Mercado, Suite B, or at www.daarts.org.

For more information about the Doña Ana Arts Council and their many upcoming events, go www.daarts.org.