Eight New Mexicans honored by Gov. Lujan Grisham for contributions to the arts

Eight groundbreakers, 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 50 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.

“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.”

Eight New Mexicans honored by Gov. Lujan Grisham for contributions to the arts

The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, the state arts agency New Mexico Arts and the New Mexico Arts Commission have recognized the artists and contributors to the arts who earned the award, all representatives of the rich culture and diversity of New Mexico.

2024 Awards recipients:

John Garrett,

• visual artist, Las Cruces. 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. Ingalls Leyba is a mixed-media artist, gallery owner and founder/director of the Youth Mural Program. 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 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. Namingha is an internationally-known sculptor and multimedia 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, Abiquiú. 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.

Jock Soto

• (Diné), dancer, Eagle Nest. Diné and Puerto Rican dancer 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.

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, the Vladems 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 at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at the St. Francis Auditorium at the 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.

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.