Fantastic four: MasterWorks of New Mexico spring show returns

Fantastic four: MasterWorks of New Mexico spring show returns

Mar 21, 2025

Decorated artists from the Land of Enchantment will all be gathered under one roof during the MasterWorks of New Mexico spring art show, an event that celebrates talent, passion and fine arts organizations throughout the state.

Founded by Barbara Lohbeck, the show open through April 13 is celebrating its 27th anniversary, highlighting masters of their craft. The event is taking place at the Hispanic Arts Gallery at Expo New Mexico.

“The charter board of representatives consists of the Rio Grande Art Association, Pastel Society of New Mexico, the New Mexico Watercolor Society and Miniature Arts Bardean,” Lohbeck said.

The show consists of four separately juried shows, hung together after judging. Mediums represented include oils, acrylics, pastels and more. Attendees will have the chance to view the works and meet the artists.

Jordan Caldwell, 27, is one of several artists at the show and one of the youngest. Caldwell will be presenting his oil on canvas piece “Hitting Every Red Light,” an ode to Albuquerque in its most natural form.

This is the second time Caldwell has participated in a MasterWorks show and he submitted three pieces for judging.

“It feels nice to be able to represent how far people can come at such an early age,” he said.

“Typically with my art, I do it with photos I take,” Caldwell said. “That painting was a photo from a day when I was going around doing some chores late and the view just looked right,” he said.

As a local artist, Caldwell finds it important to represent his home .

“I like to do things that people who actually live in Albuquerque would actually know, like certain buildings or roads, things that aren’t too glamorous but the streets that people know,” he said.

“I’ve been trying to do a lot of pieces that provoke this feeling of joy or merriment, things like amusement parks or pumpkin patches, things of enjoyment” Caldwell added. “As I grow older, the magic of those places is kind of gone and I’m trying to capture the physical magic of how those places make you feel.”

When artists are not showing their best works, they can participate in workshops themed around pastels, atmospheric light and watercolor.

For each workshop, a free one-hour demo will be open to the public, and guests can sit alongside artists working to perfect their craft.