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** 2024 Commencement Updates **

Olivia Lovato Art Exhibition in Ray Drew Gallery Through October 18

 

Photo of “Tall Dancer” clay sculpture by Olivia Lovato

“Tall Dancer” clay sculpture by Olivia Lovato

Sept. 17, 2019

Las Vegas, N.M. – New Mexico Highlands University presents Las Vegas artist Olivia Lovato’s exhibition, “It’s a Fandango,” through Oct. 18 in the Ray Drew Gallery in Donnelly Library, 802 National Ave. The opening reception is Sept. 22 from 3 to 5 p.m.

“Nature is a strong theme in my art work,” Lovato said. “I made a strong connection with nature and built a strong relationship with it early in life on the ranch-farm I grew up on in the Northeastern corner of New Mexico.”

Lovato said the countryside of Northern New Mexico gives her a great deal of happiness and wonder.

“I try to share this joy and wonder and to interpret it in my art work – shadows on brown adobe walls; mountain streams rushing over dark granite; an eagle, free, in an immense sky,” said Lovato, who is a Highlands University alumna in art and music.

Lovato said “It’s a Fandango” has evolved into a statement of her love for dance and the human form in motion.

“This is just one of many observations I portray in my art. What the sun does for us in defining and enhancing all of our beautiful New Mexico sites encompasses my work as well. Instinctively, all that I paint or sculpt suggests movement,” Lovato said.

The exhibition includes water color and oil paintings, drawings, clay sculptures and print etchings. Lovato said more of her work can be seen in her studio and gallery, “Galeria el Lobito,” in Las Vegas.

Lovato has shown her work in solo and group exhibitions from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Annex Gallery to the Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe, along with various Las Vegas Arts Council shows and solo exhibitions at Highlands.

Lovato was also a music teacher in Las Vegas City Schools, taught music and art at Luna Community College, and was an art teacher at the Zuni Pueblo Public School District.

“The exhibition offers a wide variety of media and subject matter,” said Karlene Gonzales, the Ray Drew gallery curator. “It’s an opportunity for the public to view some of the cultural charm depicted in Lovato’s work.”

The hours for the Ray Drew Gallery are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday and 1 – 5 p.m. Sunday.