As Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, I welcome you to New Mexico, a truly diverse destination. Autumn is New Mexico's golden season. Escape to the mountains, where the trees change color, days are crisp and cool, and the bitter-sweet scent of pinion lingers in the clear, dry air. Or head south for mild year-round temperatures, dazzling blue skies, and sunny days.
There is no place like New Mexico and no time like now.
Michael Cerletti
Navajo artist Rhett Lynch stopped by the New Mexico Tourism Department’s Mobile Visitor Information Center at the 37th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta October 4-12, 2008 to sign limited-edition prints of his 2008 Balloon Fiesta Poster.
Lynch’s "Artist Edition" is limited to 200 prints. Each print will be signed, numbered, and personalized.
“The excitingly diverse, and ever distinctive work is sure to capture the imagination of all our guests and collectors as well,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the Tourism Department. “We encouraged visitors to stop by our Center to meet the artist – and take a tour of our Center, a bright yellow recreational vehicle transformed into a traveling showcase of the best of what New Mexico has to offer. It is a great marketing tool, and gives us unique opportunities to take our message to potential visitors.”
The Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe is partnering with the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History to present the exhibition, “Jamestown, Quebec, Santa Fe: Three North American Beginnings,” at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History.
A companion lecture series is scheduled in Santa Fe and Albuquerque October 25, 2008 through March 1, 2009:
New Perspectives on North America – the Views from Jamestown, Quebec and Santa Fe is an overview of the founding of three cities by three empires on the North American continent. Barbara Clark Smith - exhibition curator and co-author of a companion publication - is curator of the division of politics and reform for the National Museum of American History.
The 21st annual Festival of the Cranes November 18-23, 2008 offers something for everyone: from backyard birders to bird experts, from amateur photographers to pros.
The Festival of the Cranes is an event people love to attend each year. Activities include refuge tours; bird, biology, geology and art workshops; keynote speakers; and much more. The Festival highlights the world renowned Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, which is in its 69th year of managing the refuge for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat.
In celebration of New Mexico’s multi-cultural heritage, Coronado State Park near Bernalillo will celebrate the “Fiesta of Cultures” Saturday (October 25, 2008), 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Fiesta will feature numerous demonstrations of the skills handed down through generations by craft artists, weavers, spinners, quilters, tin workers, blacksmiths, flint-knappers and potters.
Celebrate Kuaua’s history (1300 to 1600 AD), Coronado’s visit (1540-1542), and the arrival of American homesteaders and traders to the Rio Grande Valley (late 1800s) via the Santa Fe Trail.
Rio Rancho’s annual Pork & Brew BBQ State Championships is one of the best 100 events in the nation for 2009, according to the American Bus Association.
Rio Rancho’s sixth annual Pork & Brew BBQ State Championship – complete with live entertainment, fun jumps, pig races, kids corral, and, of course, food galore – is set for March 27-28, 2009, at the Santa Ana Star Center in the Rio Rancho City Center.
The works of six renowned sculptors from the Pueblo of Jemez is the focus of a new exhibition at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center at 2401 12th St. NW in Albuquerque through January 31, 2009.
The works featured in the exhibit include bronze, clay and stone sculptures created by Estella Loretto, Clifford Fragua, Laura Fragua-Cota, Adrian Wall, Joe Cajero, Jr. and James A. Vigil. All sculptors are award-winning artists.
“The exhibition portrays the strong connection of each artist to the ever-evolving creative process, their homeland and the spiritual realm,” said curator Amy Johnson.
The 2008 Dixon Studio Tour, an annual major art event in northern New Mexico since 1982, is November 1 and 2, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days.
Dixon, nestled in the Embudo Valley where the Rio Embudo flows into the Rio Grande, has been long known for its rich Native American and Hispanic heritage, productive farm lands and pastoral beauty. During the last 30 years many artists moved to the valley to pursue their artistic talent and a simpler way of life.
The Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference Concerts and Festival is November. 5-9, 2008
Don’t miss this opportunity to see young performers with amazing talent on Friday, November 7, 2008, 7:30 p.m., at the Pan American Center on the campus of New Mexico State University. Mariachi groups, vocalists, and Folkloric Dance groups will perform at this popular student concert. For more information call the LCIMC office, 575-525-1735
Deputy Secretary Jen Hoffman, the newest addition to the New Mexico Tourism Department staff, has started a bi-monthly blog at:
http://newmexico.org/jensblog
Through her new blog, Jen hopes to reach industry partners and potential visitors alike and drive more visitors to the New Mexico Tourism Department website. As Jen tours New Mexico in her efforts to promote the land of Enchantment, she will document some of the special events and features of our state. If you would like to share a potential blog topic with Jen, feel free to do so at Jennifer.Hoffman@state.nm.us.
New Mexico Tourism Department Secretary Michael Cerletti is pleased to announce New Mexico will once again participate with a float in the Tournament of Roses® Parade in Pasadena, California on New Year’s Day 2009. The theme of the 2009 Parade is “Hats off to Entertainment.”
“The response the state received from the Tourism Department’s appearance in the 2008 Tournament of Roses® Parade and the media efforts we sponsored primarily targeting the Southern California travel market was tremendous,” Secretary Cerletti said. “We now know that this is an incredibly effective way to reach potential visitors to New Mexico from all around the country and all over the world.”