10/16: Jill Cooper-Udall Invites You to Women in the Arts Event in Las Cruces

Jill Cooper-Udall speaks in Espanola

Jill Cooper-Udall
Cordially invites you to an
evening of creative conversation and performances

Creativity and Innovation: Women in the Arts
through Economics, Education, and Advocacy
Thursday—October 16, 2008, 5:30-7:00 PM
Court Youth Center Theatre
402 West Court Avenue, Las Cruces

Introduction by Jill Cooper-Udall
Conversations with:
Cindy Fargo, Community Arts Advocate
Sherry Doil-Carter, Visual Artist
Irene Oliver-Lewis, Theatre Artist
Sofia Rojas, NMSU Media Student Artist
Performances by:
Lucilene De Geus, Flamenco Dance Artist and Youth Dancers
Megan McQueen, Musical Theatre Artist

Hosted by Armena Taylor, Sylvia Camunez, Irene Oliver-Lewis
Refreshment provided by culinary artist Jennifer Jackson
For Information contact Marissa Padilla @ 505.884.3055

Post-Event Reception: There will be a reception after the arts event at the Democratic Party of Dona Ana County Headquarters, 139 North Downtown Mall (old Popular Dry Goods building -- west side of mall near the St. Genevieve Monument, north entrance only between the Downtown Mall and Water Street). Residents are encouraged to attend both events. If you have questions, contact Melinda Whitley at 575-523-0470.

More Info:
Las Cruces, NM—A group of local well-known artists, performers, and arts advocates will come together to share their thoughts on the business and creation of the arts in Southern New Mexico in an evening of creative conversations and performances.

Creativity and Innovation: Women in the Arts through Economics, Education, and Advocacy will be presented on Thursday, October 16 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Court Youth Center, 402 West Court Ave.

The evening was initiated by Jill Cooper Udall, former State of New Mexico Officer of Cultural Affairs and currently living in Washington D.C. She will introduce the six Las Cruces artists, performers, and arts advocates who will share their experiences and thoughts on how involvement in the creation and education in the arts influences day-to-day living in the community from education to economic development.

The six artists, performers, and advocates are Cindy Fargo, Main Street downtown redevelopment and cultural arts advocate; Sherry Doil-Carter, visual artist; Irene Oliver-Lewis, theatre artist and arts administrator; Sofia Rojas, NMSU media student artist; and performances by Lucilene De Geus, Flamenco dance artist and her youth dancers and Megan McQueen, musical theatre artist.

All of the presenters integrate arts and culture in their independent professional and artistic careers. The multi-aged presenters represent the diversity of arts importance in the community in the fields of education, economics, and arts advocacy. The evening is a conversation between the presenters and the audience addressing essential questions on the significance of arts in learning, in personal identification and growth, and business. The conversations will include the visualization of the arts through performances in music and dance.

Bios:
Jill Cooper, former State of NM Officer of Cultural Affairs, and currently assisting at the Smithsonian Museum in an exhibit on Native American Art. Her personal commitment and resources have been the inspiration and support to countless artists and arts organizations throughout New Mexico and Washington D. C. She is married to U.S. Representative Tom Udall.

Cindy Fargo, community arts advocate and former gallery owner. She has been in the business of economic development in the arts and Main Street projects for more than 20 years in California, Montana and now in Las Cruces. Her interest is to bring together artists, arts organizations, the community, businesses, and the university to create an arts and cultural district in downtown Las Cruces.

Sherry Doil-Carter, former gallery owner, professional visual artist and arts educator for some 30 years. Her work is currently on display at Connie Hines Interior Design which was featured in the recent city-wide Arts Hop. She is also at Unsettled Gallery in the historic Mesquite Neighborhood as part of a group show of border artists. She has been an arts educator and a master teacher influencing colleagues and her art students. She was one of five female artists who organized the first Dia de los muertos activities in Mesilla.

Irene Oliver-Lewis, theatre artist as actress, director, producer, and writer. Most recently was Mrs. Martinez, the ballroom dance teacher in the NMSU Creative Media independent film Becoming Eduardo. Her successful one-woman play about her family Cecilia-isms: Dichos de mi madre was commissioned by the National Hispanic Cultural Center. She is one of the founders of the city’s first and only arts based charter high school. She was a receipient of the 2006 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Lucilene DeGeus, born in Brazil with international dance credits in ballet and flamenco. She was a principle dancer with the world-renowned Maria Benitez Flamenco Dance Company. Currently she is co-director of Sol y Aire a multi-aged Flamenco dance company that will present a new show with classical and contemporary Flamenco pieces at the Chamizal International Theatre in November. She will also take her youth group from the arts high school to perform in Minneapolis also in November.

Megan McQueen, musical theatre artist and director. She has a large repertoire of productions as performer or director. Last year she was director of the successful world-premiere of the musical “Enron,” a production of the Dona Ana Lyric Opera. She currently is directing or performing in a series of cabaret shows at a new musical dinner theatre venue in Las Cruces. She is an experienced arts educator whose students have gone on to peruse opportunities and education in the arts.

Sofia Rojas, visual artist and performer. She started acting in high school in El Paso and moved to Las Cruces to attend only arts based charter high school in the area. She graduated with honors and is currently a media arts student at NMSU and continues to seek opportunities to advance her arts-centered career. She was recently in a successful play and acts in or “techs” for numerous films produced by the community college or the university.

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