Exhibit opening highlights busy evening at museum

The opening of a new exhibit featuring some of the region's top artists highlights a busy evening at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum on Aug. 13.

The exhibit, "The Art of Cultivation: Agriculture in the Mesilla Valley," opens in the museum's Arts Corridor and features the work of The Border Artists. The reception is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and admission is free.

The artists were tasked with creating fine art that demonstrates the diversity and flavor of agriculture in the Mesilla Valley. Established to promote the quality and diversity of fine arts in the border region, the Border Artists have been active in the regional art community for almost 20 years.

Artists who are active in the organization include Carolyn Bunch, Tauna Cole, Janice Cook, Sherry Doil-Carter, Tom Gerend, Winfrey Hearst, Annetta Hoover, Suzanne Kane, Tony Lazorko, Cassandra Lockwood, Joyce Macrorie, Rosemary McLoughlin, Diana Molina, Virginia Ness, Jeanne Rundell, Jo-An Smith, Dan Tapper, Scott Weaver, Bob M. Willis and Sandy Zane.

The exhibit will be in the Arts Corridor through Dec. 6.

Two more events are planned for Aug. 13. Beginning at 4:30 p.m., the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce will have a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Eagle Ranch Mercantile, which now consists of a gift shop, snack bar and family room. Wine tasting, featuring award-winning Heart of the Desert wines, also will be part of the celebration.

The final event on Aug. 13 is a showing of the documentary film, "Betty LaDuke: Art Reflecting Life." The film begins at 7 p.m. in the theater and admission is a suggested donation of $2.

The film profiles LaDuke, the artist whose work is featured in the current "Dreaming Cows" exhibit on display in the North Corridor of the museum. The documentary gives a deeper profile of the artist and the inspiration behind her colorful works.

For more information about the museum and its programs, call (575) 522-4100.