TAOS, NM.- The New Mexico Committee of Women in the Arts is pleased to present Originals 2007, a juried & invitational exhibition of New Mexico women artists to be hosted at both the Harwood Museum of Art and the Millicent Rogers Museum from September 25 through December 30, 2007.

The New Mexico Committee of Women in the Arts is affiliated with the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C. As part of the network of state and international chapters, the New Mexico Committee enhances the mission of the National Museum of Women in the Arts by recognizing the achievements of living women artists in New Mexico through statewide and national art shows, educational programs, lectures and special events.

In 1999, the New Mexico Committee of Women in the Arts began organizing and sponsoring Originals, a biennial juried exhibition open to all living New Mexican women artists. The first exhibition was held in Santa Fe at LewAllen Contemporary, showcasing 83 artists; in 2001 fifty-eight artists exhibited at the Harwood Museum of Art in Taos; in 2003 the Albuquerque Museum hosted 67 artists and in 2005, seventy-one artists exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe. Since 2001 select invited artists have also been included. Visitors to the 2005 exhibition exceeded over 28,000 from all over the United States and from 32 foreign countries with over 1500 attending the Public Opening – this year’s organizers are anticipating a similar turn out in Taos.

This year over 500 artists responded to the Call for Entry. Works of art selected for the Taos exhibition were juried by three outstanding experts in their field: Diane Dean Dittemore, Ethnological Collections Curator at Arizona State University - a specialist in Native American art; Julia Kirt, the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition – a specialist in contemporary art; Alfred J. Quiroz, a Full Professor of Art, Painting and Drawing at the University of Arizona – a specialist in Hispanic art.

The high caliber of New Mexico women artists is also being recognized by honoring five outstanding artists: Judy Chicago, feminist artist, author and educator from Belen, New Mexico; Linda Lomahaftewa, painter printmaker and educator from Santa Fe, New Mexico; Angelina Delgado Martinez, tin-smith and needle-worker of colcha embroidery from Santa Fe, New Mexico; Ramona Sakiestewa, weaver, painter and design consultant for the National Museum of the American Indian , also from Santa Fe; and Mildred Tolbert, a documentary photographer from Taos, New Mexico. Each honored artist will be recognized at a private Awards Ceremony on September 28th.

At the Harwood Museum of Art, the exhibition will be on view in the Scott and Martin Galleries on the second floor and will be designed by Alexandra Benjamin, Executive Director of the Mandelman-Ribak Foundation. Director, Charles Lovell states: “The Harwood is honored to be co-hosting this exhibition with the Millicent Rogers Museum and excited to have the opportunity to celebrate the diverse talents of New Mexico’s women artists.” The works in the exhibition are divided between the two museums and each will be showing a variety of works in all media and styles. Works on view at the Harwood will include sculpture, artist books, paintings, fiber art and mixed media assemblages. All exhibited work is for sale with the artist receiving 60% of the proceeds, the museum 20% and the New Mexico Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts the remaining 20%.

The Harwood Museum of Art will be presenting its Saturday Arts for Families programs every Saturday for the duration of the exhibition. This free program is designed for kids 4 & up and will focus on learning more about specific works in the exhibition; it will include a tour and art activity. Special group tours can also be arranged for a reduced admission by calling 505/758-9826 x 105. Please check our website at www.harwoodmuseum.org for a complete listing of educational programs, lectures and events associated with Originals 2007.

Originals 2007 opens Tuesday, September 25 with a public reception on September 29 from 5-7 pm. The exhibition continues through December 30. Also opening concurrently is an exhibition of prints by Howard Cook from the museum’s permanent collection. For more details on Originals 2007 or other exhibitions and programs at the Harwood call 505/758-9826 x 105 or visit www.harwoodmuseum.org.

The Harwood Museum of Art of the University of New Mexico is located at 238 Ledoux Street, Taos. Hours Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5, Free to NM Residents on Sundays. Please check with us for our holiday closure schedule. Admission $8. Always free to UNM Community, Taos County students and children under 12. 505/758-9826 or www.harwoodmuseum.org