From cloud-swept mountains to sunlit pueblos, to soaring hawks and chain link steering wheels, amateur photographers from around the world submitted more than 1200 pictures to New Mexico Magazine’s annual photography contest. As usual, the winners and runners-up will be featured in the magazine’s February issue. But this year, they’ll also have the opportunity to take part in a gallery show at Carrizozo’s Tularosa Basin Gallery of Photography.
“It’s our fifteenth year hosting the contest,” said New Mexico Magazine Editor in Chief Dave Herndon, “and we wanted to do something special.” That’s where gallery owner, and indefatigable Carrizozo arts supporter Warren Malkerson came in.
“We’ve got the largest photography gallery in the state,” Malkerson said. “We focus only on New Mexico, and a full-fledged show for this annual contest seemed like the perfect thing to do.” And so, a partnership was born.
“Carrizozo recognizes the value of arts tourism and, of course, so does New Mexico Magazine,” says editor Herndon. “This is a fine example of the magazine’s role in encouraging economic development throughout the state.”
With more than three-quarters of the winners and runners-up participating, Malkerson sees it as a chance both to celebrate the beauty of the state and underline its draw to photographers. “People have been coming here and taking pictures since even before Paul Strand and Ansel Adams showed up,” he said, “and there’s good reason. It’s not only the light, it’s the subject matter—whether people, or places, or buildings, or wildlife.”
The celebrations will begin with a gala dinner on Friday, the 29th for the winners, judges, and local arts leaders. The next morning, the gallery will open at 10 AM to the public. In addition to the large format photos in the exhibition, the gallery will have prints in various sizes available for sale.
The exhibition will run for two months, finishing up towards the end of March.
Check out www.photozozo.com for more information or call the gallery at (575) 937-1489.