Jurors

Jennie Johnsrud

Jennie Johnsrud

Studio potter Jennie Johnsrud received an art degree from St. Olaf College and continued her training as an apprentice in pottery at the Rochester Folk Art Guild. After 20 years of studio practice, she began selling her pottery full time in her home of Santa Fe, New Mexico, founding Modern Folk Ware in 2014. Her work blends the mingei philosophy of her early training with the clean and modern forms found within her Scandinavian heritage.  Following years of selling at artist markets and pop-ups, Modern Folk Ware opened its brick and mortar location in early 2021. The shop emphasizes work made using traditional craft materials: ceramic, fiber, wood, glass and metal. Modern Folk Ware features Jennie’s own pottery as well as additional utilitarian goods made by local and national craftspeople. 
Laura Houghton

Laura Houghton

Laura Houghton is the owner and director of Lapis Room, a dynamic contemporary art gallery located in Old Town Albuquerque. Her experience includes curating art exhibitions, large-scale multimedia attractions, horticulture displays, and outreach events. She loves designing beautiful spaces that are inclusive and sustainable; with community in the forefront of each idea. Laura grew up in Ruidoso, NM and received her BFA at Arizona State University. She feels at home in both the immense ponderosa pines, and amongst the clever jumping cholla. She has great admiration for the American Southwest and is the most fulfilled when advocating for artists of the area.

Mary Statzer

Mary Statzer

Mary Statzer is Curator of Prints and Photographs at University of New Mexico Art Museum. In her six years at UNMAM, she has organized two major exhibitions from the permanent collection as well as the following: Patrick Nagatani: A Survey of Early Photographs; Please Enjoy and Return: Bruce Conner Films from the Sixties; Mysterious Inner Worlds Anila Quayyum Agha;  Indelible Ink: Native Women, Prints, and Collaboration; Raymond Jonson: Trilogies, Cycles, and Portraits; and the virtual engagement platform UNMAM.ART, featuring artist Rose B. Simpson. 

Statzer holds an MFA in printmaking from Arizona State University and PhD in art history with specialties in the history of photography and museum studies from the University of Arizona. She has written about photography for Aperture magazine and edited a multi-author book titled, The Photographic Object 1970 (UC Press, 2018).

Jessica Watts

Jessica Watts

Jessica Watts is an account supervisor at Giant Noise, a public relations and social media management firm, based in Austin, Texas. Watts graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology & women and gender studies from Texas A&M University. Watts began her career at Giant Noise in 2018 and is passionate about maintaining a client base of local nonprofits. Watts works on the public relations team representing New Mexico Tourism Department, and Heritage Hotels & Resorts.

 

Rebecca Tuccillo

Rebecca Tuccillo

Rebecca Tuccillo currently serves as Executive Director of the New Mexico Multi-Cultural Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Heritage Companies and the non-profit organization responsible for the New Mexico Artisan Market.

While earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in New York, Rebecca gained a deep appreciation of all aspects of art & design. She has an extensive background in Interior & Retail Design, Merchandising, and Brand Development and has an understanding of how these elements impact the guest experience.

Over the last decade, Rebecca has worked closely with the local creative community, providing retail opportunities and brand consulting services. She is most passionate about working to develop new and innovative ways to support the artists of New Mexico.

 

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NEW MEXICO MULTI-CULTURAL FOUNDATION