The New Mexico State University Art Museum (UAM) will open two new exhibitions on June 11 with a free public reception. "Homage to Then/Small Worlds" by local artist and former NMSU art department head Louis Ocepek features digital prints, paintings, and gravure prints exploring time, space, and perception. "Mapping Spaces: Selections from the Lannan Art Collection at NMSU" showcases works from 63 pieces gifted to the university in 2024 after the Lannan Foundation closed, including artists such as Claudia Andujar, Subhankar Banerjee, Max Cole, Pard Morrison, Victoria Sambunaris, and James Turrell. "Homage to Then/Small Worlds" runs through September 12, and "Mapping Spaces" through September 5.
These exhibitions matter because they highlight the UAM's role as a repository of contemporary art and a resource for discussing artists' roles in the border region. The Lannan Foundation's closure and its distribution of works to 55 institutions, including NMSU, marks a significant shift in philanthropic support for contemporary visual art and literature. The shows also celebrate the legacy of a local artist-educator while bringing nationally recognized artists to a regional university museum, reinforcing the importance of community-engaged art practices and research.