Learn more about the Great Southwestern Antique and Vintage Show

Terry Schurmeier works nearly a year to put together the Great Southwestern Antique and Vintage Show.

As the owner of Cowboys and Indians Antiques on Central Avenue, it’s not only a labor of love for the career antique seller, but a way to build and give back to the community.

The Great Southwestern Antique and Vintage Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at Expo New Mexico.

This will be the 26th year Schurmeier has put on the show — 10 of those working with New Mexico PBS.

The proceeds from the event benefit New Mexico PBS, University of New Mexico Hospital, Popejoy Schooltime Series, VSA Arts of New Mexico, St. Pius High School, Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association and Albuquerque Museum's Magic Bus Program.

“I’ve always been grateful to be able to give back to the community,” she says. “Education is special to my heart and helps lay the foundation to a successful community.”

The event has over 100 dealers and because it's being held in the Southwest, there is a heavy emphasis on cowboys and expansion in the West.

"The West provided natural resources to our country and has a rich culture that helps balance the urban world of the East," she says. "We have a large number of collectors from out there. It’s an event that brings worlds together."

After years of experience putting on the event, Schurmeier says she’s always ready to pivot when something doesn’t quite go right.

“The vendors now have smaller spaces and I think there’s only one new vendor this year,” she says. “We’ve learned to always accommodate what each vendor needs. It’s also a great time for guests to see something different.”

Schurmeier says the event benefits the New Mexico PBS Great Southwestern Art & Education Endowment, which falls in line with New Mexico PBS’s mission to enrich the lives of New Mexicans by providing engaging local content, education and the celebration of arts and culture.

According to New Mexico PBS, the endowment is to aid New Mexico PBS in continuing to present arts and education programs, as well as outreach activities, to central and northern New Mexico — enriching the lives of New Mexicans, generation after generation.

Schurmeier selected NMPBS as the third charitable organization for which she wished to establish an endowment fund — previous endowment beneficiaries are St. Pius X High School, the UNM Hospitals and more.

“My son went to St. Pius and I was raised Catholic, so I always chose to donate to this organization,” she says. “At UNMH, the funds help pay a couple of oncology nurses to continue education to provide care for New Mexico patients.”

Schurmeier says the fund was established at the Albuquerque Community Foundation in the name of NMPBS.

“The Albuquerque Community Foundation will manage the fund in perpetuity,” she says. “The foundation will annually disburse a payout to NMPBS based on a recommended percentage of earnings. The principal of the fund will always be protected to ensure its growth.”