Santa Fe, NM – Seven groundbreaking and impactful individuals, ranging from visual artists, a dancer, and stewards of cultural heritage, have been selected for the 2024 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts. For fifty years, the Awards have brought attention to the expansive arts and culture community in New Mexico, highlighting the people who have contributed to it becoming both an economic driver and a matter of state pride.
New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA), the state arts agency New Mexico Arts (NMA), and the New Mexico Arts Commission (NMAC) are proud to recognize the artists and contributors to the arts who earned the award, all representatives of the rich culture and diversity of New Mexico: Jock Soto (Diné) of Eagle Nest, John Garrett of Las Cruces, Diana Ingalls Leyba of Silver City, Ross Kagan Marks of Las Cruces, Arlo Namingha (Tewa/Hopi) of Santa Fe, Pamela Shirinne Smith of Abiquiu, and Robert and Ellen Vladem of Santa Fe.
“I am deeply proud of the creativity and dedication that these artists and contributors bring to the Land of Enchantment,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Their work not only enriches our lives but also reflects the vibrant and diverse spirit of New Mexico. Congratulations to the 2024 recipients of the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts—your artistic contributions have touched every corner of our state and beyond.”
2024 Awards recipients
Jock Soto (Diné), Dancer, Eagle Nest
Diné and Puerto Rican dancer Jock Soto is a former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet (1981-2005) and is celebrated for his powerful technique and artistry. Beyond performing, he has significantly contributed as a choreographer, teacher, and writer, leaving a lasting impact on the dance world.
John Garrett, Visual Artist, Las Cruces
John Garrett has been working with the application of textile technologies and imagery to various untraditional fiber materials for more than 50 years. The National Endowment for the Arts awarded him fellowships in 1983 and 1995, and in 2010 he was elected a Fellow of the American Craft Council’s College of Fellows.
Diana Ingalls Leyba, Major Contributor to the Arts, Silver City
Diana Ingalls Leyba is a mixed-media artist, gallery owner, and founder/director of the Youth Mural Program (YMP). For 21 years YMP has worked with at-risk youth to produce murals teaching students about the history and culture of their communities. More than 85 projects engaging several thousand area youth have been completed.
Ross Kagan Marks, Major Contributor to the Arts, Las Cruces
More than 16 of Ross Kagan Marks’ films have won awards at international film festivals. He has worked with actors Al Pacino, Brendan Fraser, Faye Dunaway, Edward James Olmos, and George Lopez. Marks is the Executive Director/Founder of the Las Cruces International Film Festival and a professor at New Mexico State University and has been instrumental in elevating the film industry in Southern New Mexico.
Arlo Namingha (Tewa/Hopi), Visual Artist, Santa Fe
Arlo Namingha is an internationally known sculptor and multi-media artist with a love for his community and cultural upbringing. From an early age, Arlo created art in various mediums ultimately settling on sculpture. He has a passion for teaching and works alongside his father, Dan Namingha, at the Namingha Institute.
Pamela Shirinne Smith, Book Arts, Abiquiu
Pamela Shirinne Smith launched her paper marbling career 50 years ago in tandem with her work as founding director of the Press of the Palace of the Governors. Curator, educator, award-winning book designer/letterpress printer, and proprietress of the widely recognized MarbleSmith Papers, today, at age 80, she continues teaching her skills.
Robert and Ellen Vladem, Major Contributors to the Arts, Santa Fe
Awarded the City of Santa Fe Mayor’s Art’s award for philanthropy in 2022, Robert and Ellen Vladem are the lead financial donors to the New Mexico Museum of Art, Vladem Contemporary Museum. They created a fund to support productions at the Santa Fe Opera and they serve on various boards and volunteer committees.
Awards Events
NMA will host a pair of events in October to recognize this year’s recipients of the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts. An awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, Oct. 10, 5:00 p.m. at the St. Francis Auditorium at New Mexico Museum of Art. An exhibition of work from the 2024 recipients will be on display in the Governor’s Gallery on the fourth floor of the Roundhouse beginning Friday, Oct. 11 with an opening reception from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
The Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts are presented by NMAC and NMA—the state arts agency and a division of NMDCA. This year’s Awards are made possible in part by major contributions from the Gale Family Foundation, Catherine Oppenheimer, the Dale and Leslie Chihuly Foundation, Thornburg Investment Management, the New Mexico Music Commission, Lensic 360, and the members of the NMAC.
About the Awards
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the awards which celebrate the diversity of New Mexico’s cultural and artistic traditions, in addition to celebrating new and innovative forms of artistic expression. The awards recognize the important work that arts supporters and contributors contribute to the state, and who passionately ensure the arts are available and accessible in their communities.
Established in 1974 by then-Gov. Bruce King and First Lady Alice King, the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts celebrate the role that artists, craftspeople, and arts supporters play in the economic and cultural life of New Mexico. Throughout its existence, a diverse and prestigious list of painters, weavers, sculptors, dancers, musicians, storytellers, poets, actors, playwrights, and potters have been honored. Since 1974, more than 300 artists and arts supporters have received this coveted award. The awards are a collaboration of NMA, NMAC, the New Mexico Arts Foundation, and other partners. Learn more at nmarts.org/all-programs/governors-arts-awards/.
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