~ millicentroger

February can be the slowest time of year in Taos and especially here at the museum, but thanks to a bounty of snow in the ski valley, we've been busier than usual. Our Crossing Paths: Beadwork from the MRM and E. Irving Couse Collections exhibit closed on Tuesday and we're getting everything ready to open our 15th Annual Miniatures Show and Sale next week. This annual event is a local favorite and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting the local arts community of Taos. Each fall, we send out an open call for all Taos County artists to submit works for our Minis Show. (If you are a Taos County artist and you did not receive this notice, please email miniatures@millicentrogers.org to be added to the email list.) Then, the staff of the museum selects the best submissions that fit within our strict criteria for acceptance. For example, all works must be “miniature” or 100 square inches, meet museum quality standards, be original, less than a year old, and not have been shown in any other exhibit. We have such strict rules because we want to be able to exhibit as much artwork as possible. The Miniatures Show and Sale includes paintings, drawings, photography, prints, sculpture, pottery, jewelry and more all produced by Taos County artists, and over 200 artworks were submitted for consideration. These works are offered for sale as a way to support both the local arts community and the museum, and several artists in the past have even donated the full amount from the sale of their artwork back to the museum. This event provides a great opportunity for emerging and established artists to exhibit their work side-by-side, and many local favorites will be included in the show. The opening reception will be held on Friday, February 10th from 5:30-7:30 with hors d’oeuvres served. Tickets are $15 per person or $10 for members, and can be purchased in advance on our website. Competition can be fierce on opening night as this event presents a unique opportunity to purchase a modestly-priced artwork by popular Taos artists all while supporting the Millicent Rogers Museum. It is also a great way to add to your art collection no matter how full your walls have become by living in such a rich artistic community since each work is miniature. The museum’s board of trustees will also award a Best in Show piece and attendees on opening night can vote for the People’s Choice Award in three separate categories: 2-D, 3-D and jewelry. If you are not able to attend the opening reception, the exhibit and sale will continue until March 5th, and all artworks included in the show will be on view on the museum’s website and can be purchased after opening night either in person or by calling the MRM Store.