Socorro – Local artist Margi Lucena, and co-owner of Fullingim-Isenhour & Leard Galleries, was the recipient of this year’s prestigious First Time Exhibitor Award at the 45<SUP>th</SUP> New Mexico Arts and Crafts Fair held each summer at the Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque.<table><tr><td width=166><table><tr><td><a href=http://sonewmex.com/pp-514/data/519/IMG_2012_fx.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2012_fx_tn.jpg></a><br><br><br></td></tr>
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Although Margi Lucena is no stranger to art shows, this was her first time exhibiting at NMACF. Margi paints in many mediums, but it was her choice to submit a slide grouping of her pastels that afforded her a place in this years show. Her overflowing booth of beautifully framed New Mexico landscapes drew quite a crowd and caught the attention of award-winning watercolorist Dan Stouffer. Stouffer sold his first painting 30+ years ago at NMACF. A few years later, upon receiving a monetary award at the exhibit, Dan made a decision to turn that money around into a First-Time Exhibitor Award to “give back” something to the show that gave him his start. Every year he carefully narrows his selection and visits the finalists individually at their booth before making his final decision. Out of the 30 or so first time exhibitors this year, Lucenas work was chosen for the award. “Dan was really impressed with Margi’s work,” watercolorist Susan Weeks explains, “He likes to find someone with potential to encourage and take under his wing.”
Marji adds this achievement to her quickly growing list of artistic accolades but her humble nature and enthusiasm for painting never changes. Of the award, she relates: “They came down the line of tents on stilts! Then they stopped in front of my booth and called me out. Dan Stouffer handed me the ribbon then the envelope with a check! I could hardly speak!”
The show is over for this year, but you can always check out Margi’s work 7 days a week from noon until 4 at the gallery on Abeyta Street in Socorro. Call 505.835.4487 for more information.
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1st Time Exhibitor Award
By Natasha Isenhour - Contributing Reporter
© 2006 Natasha Isenhour - Reprint Permission Granted
Socorro – Local artist Margi Lucena, and co-owner of Fullingim-Isenhour & Leard Galleries, was the recipient of this year’s prestigious First Time Exhibitor Award at the 45<SUP>th</SUP> New Mexico Arts and Crafts Fair held each summer at the Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque.<table><tr><td width=166><table><tr><td><a href=http://sonewmex.com/pp-514/data/519/IMG_2012_fx.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2012_fx_tn.jpg></a><br><br><br></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href=http://sonewmex.com/pp-514/data/522/IMG_20821.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_20821_tn.jpg></a></td></tr>
</table></td><td>
Although Margi Lucena is no stranger to art shows, this was her first time exhibiting at NMACF. Margi paints in many mediums, but it was her choice to submit a slide grouping of her pastels that afforded her a place in this years show. Her overflowing booth of beautifully framed New Mexico landscapes drew quite a crowd and caught the attention of award-winning watercolorist Dan Stouffer. Stouffer sold his first painting 30+ years ago at NMACF. A few years later, upon receiving a monetary award at the exhibit, Dan made a decision to turn that money around into a First-Time Exhibitor Award to “give back” something to the show that gave him his start. Every year he carefully narrows his selection and visits the finalists individually at their booth before making his final decision. Out of the 30 or so first time exhibitors this year, Lucenas work was chosen for the award. “Dan was really impressed with Margi’s work,” watercolorist Susan Weeks explains, “He likes to find someone with potential to encourage and take under his wing.”
Marji adds this achievement to her quickly growing list of artistic accolades but her humble nature and enthusiasm for painting never changes. Of the award, she relates: “They came down the line of tents on stilts! Then they stopped in front of my booth and called me out. Dan Stouffer handed me the ribbon then the envelope with a check! I could hardly speak!”
The show is over for this year, but you can always check out Margi’s work 7 days a week from noon until 4 at the gallery on Abeyta Street in Socorro. Call 505.835.4487 for more information.
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