2014 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts

Robert Mirabal, musician, has been described as a Native American Renaissance Man. The world-renowned musician is also a composer, painter, master craftsman, poet, actor, screenwriter, horseman, and farmer, who is dedicated to keeping alive the centuries-old customs of Taos Pueblo. A GRAMMY-award winning musician, Mirabal is a leading proponent of World Music and has merged his Indigenous American sound with the music of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, tapping into a planetary pulse with a style that defies categorization. Mirabal is a two-time Native American Artist of the Year and his 2002 breakthrough PBS Special, Music from a Painted Cave, is unsurpassed in Native American theatrical expression. He is also the author of A Skeleton of a Bridge, a book of poetry, prose, and short stories, and Running Alone, a photographic memoir laced with gritty introspective prose that opens a window to Pueblo life through the voice of his alter ego Reyes Winds. Mirabal bought his first flute when he was 18 with money he borrowed from his grandmother and shortly afterward he had the opportunity to meet Native American flute player R. Carlos Nakai, who greatly influenced him. David Schwartz, chairman of the New Mexico Music Commission said, "Robert is a gifted and visionary musician who has taken on the important task of representing Native American music in not only an authentic way, but in a way that brings its message and beauty into the present and future as part of New Mexico's world conscious musical culture. His musical mastery reflects not only a preservationist's approach to traditional Native music, but an innovator's vision for the music of the future."

Straw Applique artist Jean Anaya Moya is credited with taking this New Mexico art form to the next level. "Her development as an artist has evolved into her becoming recognized as one of our state's finest Santeras," said nominator Woody Gwyn, who received a governor's arts award in 2010. "The high quality and character of the work is, I think, a reflection of the woman herself." Moya's artistic vision is rooted in the traditions of her family life. She lives in the village of Galisteo where she has raised a family, is an active member of the local Catholic parish, and a highly valued member of the Galisteo Volunteer Fire Department, where she has served as fire chief. Moya also is active on the board of the local arts organization, La Sala de Galisteo. Moya said she was drawn to straw applique not just for its religious meaning, but for the technique. Moya said she has been blessed to work with wonderful mentors including Master Santero Felix Lopez, and Spanish Colonial furniture maker Matthew Duran. Moya has received numerous awards including first place for painted bultos at the 2012 Spanish Market in Santa Fe. Other awards include first place in Sculpture in 2011 from the Santa Fe Community College School of Arts and Design, and first place in straw applique at Expo New Mexico in 2010. "Ms. Moya is an artist of extraordinary talent," said Cynthia Forbes Lux of La Sala de Galisteo. "Her ability to paint with straw allows her to tell historic and cultural stories through her art. In this fast paced, throw-away world these stories need retelling and this art form needs advocates. Jeanie is that person all rolled into one."

Sculptor Donald Redman has more than three decades of experience using natural elements—water, the sun, light and wind—to connect the observer with space and movement. Redman works in a number of processes to create large-scale sculptures, and has worked in mediums from stone and metals to fiberglass, epoxy resins, carbon fiber, paper, and wood. Nominator Cyndi Conn said Redman is a teacher, environmentalist, and an extraordinary multidisciplinary artist and sculptor. "He has an impressive resume of awards, apprenticeships, and grants, and has had solo and group exhibitions throughout the country," said Conn, executive director of Creative Santa Fe. Redman participated in a year-long study fellowship at the Santa Fe Art Institute, an exhibit with the Chinese Cultural Exchange Program in Beijing, and served as artist-in-residence at Diverseworks in Houston, Texas, and for the Georgia O'Keeffe Estate from 1995-99. Redman has created numerous sculptural pieces that are now displayed in public spaces, airports, art centers and as part of the state public art collection, including a recent commission to create a sculpture for placement on the southwest side of Rio Rancho City Hall. "Not only has he moved the craft of sculpture forward through his own work, but he is a strong and fervent voice for arts advocacy in our state," said Anna Blyth of the Santa Fe Arts Commission. "Whenever an arts issue has been raised at the statewide or local level, Don has been the first to attend meetings, make phone calls, and gather fellow artists and supporters around a common cause. He loves New Mexico and cares deeply about the arts on a grassroots level. His voice has been tireless in causes dear to the New Mexico arts community."

Robert "Shoofly" Shufelt is an artist renowned for illustrating "the cowboy way" and is among the elite artists in the world in his chosen medium of graphite. Through his uncanny understanding and control of light values, he creates, in what many consider a monochromatic medium, a full palette. A working cowboy, Shufelt has used his artistic talents to capture an important part of New Mexico's heritage and culture, ranching and the work of the modern day cowboy. "This accomplished New Mexican's definitive representation of the cowboy way of life, so beautifully depicted in his prolific portfolio of work, is collectively one of the finest portrayals of this vital element of New Mexico's western heritage in existence," said nominator Robert Highsmith of Las Cruces, who received a Governor's Arts Award in 2011. Shufelt was recently identified as one of 20 'Legends of Fine Art' by Southwest Art magazine. He has been recognized with the coveted American Cowboy Award at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Shufelt's drawings have graced the covers of scores of magazines from Western Horseman to Southwest Art, and his work was even featured on an NBC Nightline television program entitled "The Cowboy Way." In 2013, Shufelt and his wife donated more than 130 framed pieces of his art to the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces. "With this generous gift, Robert Shufelt has capped a storied career illustrating, and now, preserving, for future generations the everyday workings of the modern cowboy—and he's done it with the grace of someone who knows his life mission, and beyond embracing it, celebrates it with his soul and remarkable talent," said Toni S. Laumbach, chief curator and deputy director at the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum "Each drawing is astonishing with complexity of composition and disciplined draftsmanship. His art reflects the soul and grit of Western Americana in a way no other artist can portray."

Dr. Kent Jacobs and Sallie Ritter are recognized as Major Contributors to the Arts. Retired physician, writer and longtime arts advocate Dr. Kent Jacobs and his wife, Sallie, an internationally renowned artist, both learned the value of giving back at an early age—a lesson that has resulted in a lifetime of public service and philanthropy to Las Cruces and New Mexico. Jacobs and Ritter plan to leave their home and its priceless art collection to the Museum of New Mexico Foundation to create a satellite state art museum in Las Cruces. The planned bequest includes the couple's extensive collection of American Indian pottery and textiles, as well as contemporary art. Significantly, the planned bequest comes with an endowment to be used by the New Mexico Museum of Art to create arts and culture educational programs and exhibits for the benefit of children and families in the Las Cruces region. "The New Mexico Museum of Art Jacobs-Ritter Compound will present changing exhibitions and art education programs to foster and serve the Las Cruces region and connect Southern New Mexicans to the state's rich art traditions and collections at the museum in Santa Fe," said nominator Eileen Wells of Santa Fe, who received a Governor's Arts Award in 2008. "Study after study has shown that the arts are a strong economic contributor to the vitality of our towns and communities. Their gift will enrich the artistic districts in the Mesilla Valley, enhance access to the arts for children and adults and contribute significantly to the economy of the Southern part of our state." Jacobs served on the Board of Regents of the Museum of New Mexico from 1987 to 2000 and from 2001 to present, and was President of the Board for five years. He is both a member of the museum's Board of Regents and a trustee of the Museum of New Mexico Foundation. Jacobs helped bring the coveted Neutrogena Collection to the Museum of International Folk Art, open the Amy Rose Bloch Wing at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and launch the Van of Enchantment to send exhibits and art history classes to the far reaches of New Mexico. He has received numerous awards for his public service, including the Regents Award for service to the Museum of New Mexico in 1991and 1999. Ritter is an award-winning artist, whose works have been featured in more than 20 one-woman exhibitions and numerous private and public collections, including the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington DC. Jacobs and Ritter are members of the Regents' Circle and annual donors to the Museum of New Mexico Foundation's Fund for Museum Education and the Museum of Art's Exhibitions Development Fund. Retired State Representative and Arts Champion J. Paul Taylor, a Governor's Arts Award recipient in 2005 said, "Both Sallie and Kent have given immeasurably to the Las Cruces community and have been lifelong, passionate patrons and activists for the arts in New Mexico."

George R.R. Martin has been named a major contributor to the arts. George R. R. Martin is an American novelist and short story writer in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres, as well as an accomplished screenwriter and television producer. He is best known for A Song of Ice and Fire, his international bestselling series of epic fantasy novels that HBO adapted for its acclaimed and wildly popular dramatic series Game of Thrones. A Santa Fe resident since 1979, Martin serves as the series coexecutive producer, while also scripting one of each season's 10 episodes. In 2011, Time magazine selected Martin as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He began his writing career in 1970 and has authored more than 30 novels, short stories and collections. In 2013, Martin re-opened the Jean Cocteau Cinema, a cinematic landmark in downtown Santa Fe and has since hosted numerous events featuring important authors, filmmakers and artists, including Pat Conroy, author of The Great Santini and The Prince of Tides, Jonah Nolan, who wrote the screenplay Dark Knight Trilogy, and Peter S. Beagle, writer of The Last Unicorn. The Jean Cocteau also hosts free community events like the Game of Thrones marathon and has become an important venue for local musicians and artists. Nominator Jacques Paisner, executive director and co-founder of the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival said Martin's dedication and commitment to the Arts in New Mexico is unmatched. "He has shaped the landscape of film exhibition in Santa Fe, bringing first-class events, including many free-to-the-public screenings," Paisner said. "George R. R. Martin has made a great contribution to American literature and New Mexico is lucky to have such a great author as a local treasure." "George Martin loves New Mexico. And he proves it by giving back of his time—and money. His willingness to devote himself to further enhancing Santa Fe's diverse cultural scene despite his many professional obligations is rare among artists of his statute—and a model for others to follow," said Kirk Ellis, chairman of the Santa Fe Arts Commission and writer/co-executive producer of John Adams.

Dr. Dave Warren has been named a major contributor to the arts. Dr. Dave Warren, Pueblo Scholar and Historian, is being recognized for being one of the first American Indians to obtain a PhD, and for his leadership and scholarship contributing to creating awareness of the role of arts in the development of cultural institutions. Warren was at the forefront of a movement to change policies aimed at destroying Native culture to preserving and protecting the oldest cultures of the Southwest. As an advocate of Native arts and self-determination, Dr. Warren has had a profound impact on advancing Indian arts and culture and the perceptions that the public has of Native people. Warren received his doctorate in 1955 from the University of New Mexico in history. He is an enrolled member of the Santa Clara Pueblo and is an historian of North American Indians and Latin American Indigenous people. He has taught at the University of Nebraska, Oklahoma State University, and Albuquerque Public Schools. Dr. Warren was deeply involved with the Institute of American Indian Arts for more than three decades, where he served as Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Director of the Cultural Research and Resources Center, and was Acting President in 1978–79. In 1975–76, he served as the acting director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Education. Warren served twice as Special Assistant for Applied Community Research in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Service at the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Warren is the founding deputy director of the National Museum of the American Indian. Warren wrote the philosophy and design considerations for the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC). His perspectives, thoughts, and instructions have served as guiding principles for the MIAC and continue to influence programming, exhibits and community engagement. Dr. Warren's public service appointments are commendable: President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities; Member of the Board for the National Endowment for the Humanities; National Park Service Advisory Board; and Buffalo Trust Board Member. Dr. Warren has been recognized with numerous awards including: New Mexico Foundation for the Humanities; the Povi'ka Lifetime Service Award from the Southwest Association of Indian Arts; Honorary Doctorate from Tulane University; and the Santa Fe Living Treasures Award in 2013. Additionally he was recognized by the Santa Clara Pueblo for his efforts toward the recovery of Popii Khanu, the Santa Clara headwaters.