“Heart to Art” Tresco Students Exhibit at the Las Cruces Museum of Art, Opening Feb 1

"Heart to Art,” artworks by clients of the Tresco art class under the direction of Laurie Shade-Neff, will be on exhibit at the Las Cruces Museum of Art Friday, Feb 1 through Saturday, March 1. An opening reception for the artists will be held on Friday, Feb 1 from 5 – 7 p.m.

The exhibit features works by participants in a weekly class at the Museum of Art. The class provides experiences with a variety of projects in a wide choice of media. Participants also visit art museums and galleries. Tresco is a non-profit company organized, governed and staffed for the sole purpose of making a positive impact on the lives of children with learning delays and people with disabilities in our community. Shade-Neff explains, “In an inclusive creative atmosphere, individuals are encouraged to express themselves, communicate and find independent ways of enjoying the creative process. The emphasis is on the process more than the product. Shade-Neff, who grew up with a brother with Downs Syndrome, says she enjoys helping people with disabilities discover the wonderful world of art. For more information about this program, call 525-3225.

Exhibitions opening concurrently at the Museum of Art on Feb.1 are “After China,” works of American ceramics artists Marie Weichman, Dryden Wells and Ian Thomas created during and following their artists residency in Jingezhen, China; and the “Love & Chocolate” exhibit for 2008’s “Love of Art” month in Las Cruces, works by Dona Ana County, NM artists about chocolate or made of chocolate. All Museum of Art exhibits and receptions are accessible and free of charge. For information, call 575-541-2137 or visit the website: museums.las-cruces.org.