OFFICERS

CHUCK LEWIS, President

Chuck Lewis, a life long resident of Albuquerque, joined the New Mexico Art League in 2009. Upon graduating from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1964, Chuck elected to pursue a career in banking and real estate lending. He never let his passion for the visual arts fade and upon his retirement in 2006, he began enrolling in many classes and workshops. He favors oil painting as his medium. Chuck is an avid cyclist and competes in bicycle racing. He enjoys the many activities available to members of the League.

CYNTHIA ROWLAND, Vice President

Cynthia Rowland graduated with a degree in Fine Arts, Texas Tech University. After a dozen years in New York, where she founded her own graphic design business, Cynthia returned to New Mexico to pursue sculpture in the medium of cast bronze. This developed into major public and private commissioned projects with her partner and husband, Mark, including several large-scale works, such as the award-winning Senator Dennis Chavez Memorial at Civic Plaza and Lion’s Share at the Albuquerque International Airport.

For several years Cynthia’s focus has been oil painting, enjoying the tutelage of Wilson Hurley and David Leffel. Influenced by these contemporary and other historical masters, she has developed her own style and metaphor, and has been invited to several competitions and exhibitions, including several gallery venues in Santa Fe, the Albuquerque Museum Miniatures Show and was Featured Artist for the New Mexico Symphony Benefit. She has served the League as President, Vice-President, and now as Education Coordinator, and is the current New Mexico State Ambassador for the Portrait Society of America.

FRIEDA THORSEN, Treasurer

Frieda Thorsen was born and raised in Santa Fe, and grew up surrounded by art and is passionate about it. “But in terms of hands-on art—I dabble,” she says. Her contributions to the New Mexico art community are from behind the scenes rather than in front of a canvas.

She has served on the MasterWorks of New Mexico Steering Committee for many years; she served as secretary, treasurer, and president of the Rio Grande Artists Association, and was executive director of Hey, Mozart! New Mexico, a children’s music project. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from UNM and a Master’s in hospital administration from Ohio State

DORI RARDIN, Secretary

Dori Rardin has been a professional sculptor since 1987, working for organizations such as Opryland, US Air Force and Senapau Studios in stoneware and bronze. Dori is in the process of transitioning from sculpting to painting. She has been a member of the New Mexico Art League for 10 years and has served in the official capacity as Secretary since 2007. She is a member of the Board of Directors.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(in alphabetical order)

SANDRA ABRUZZO

Fundraising Coordinator

Sandra Abruzzo began studying to be an artist ten years ago, and within the first few years won several awards for her pastels in both statewide and national competitions. Sandra was previously a member of a local co-op, gallery where she served as director. Currently Sandra is studying oil painting at the New Mexico Art League with the dream of being a full-time artist someday.

MING FRANZ

Demonstration and Hanging Coordinator

Ming Franz specializes in Chinese brush painting, western watercolor and splashed ink painting, which combines watercolor techniques with Chinese brush. She teaches workshops and conducts demonstrations at the New Mexico Art League, UNM Osher Life Long Learning Center and the New Mexico Watercolor Society as well as in her studio in Edgewood, New Mexico.

Ming is the author of Splash Ink with Watercolor. Her work has been included in numerous publications in the US and Taiwan. She is a signature member of the New Mexico Watercolor Society, and is a member of the American Watercolor Society, the Rio Grande Art Association, Sumi-e Society of America, Chinese American Art Development Foundation, and the American Society Association of Chinese Art.

MJ MANFORD

Media Coordinator

Born and raised in South Texas, Mj received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Texas. She spent a number of years in Austin working in and around state government and painting in every spare moment. Her artwork can be seen in the Texas State Senate and the Office of the Texas Secretary of State. She has studied with such renowned artists as Daniel Greene, Nelson Shanks, Bettina Steinke and Jeffery Watts. She now lives in Los Ranchos, New Mexico, with her husband, Gary Pat.

ANN PISTO

Membership Coordinator

Ann Pisto has always wanted to study oil painting and recently had the opportunity to devote her time to that goal. After Ann's husband Randy sold his business in 2001, Ann began a volunteer career in 2002, serving as a board member and President of the Board for two years for Resources Inc., a nonprofit organization servicing the victims of domestic violence. In 2003, she won the NM Coalition's award in recognition of her volunteer work to end domestic violence. In 2004 she became a member of the Board of Directors for El Ranchito de Los Ninos and served for several years as the chairman for the steering committee for their annual fund raising event, Charity Cruise. She finally decided in 2009 to take time off for herself and began classes at the New Mexico Art League, and continues to take as many classes and workshops as she can fit into her life. She became a member of the Board of Directors in 2010. She loves being a member of the League and hopes to be around a long time to watch it continue to grow.

MAGGIE PRICE

1947 – 2013

We have lost a dear friend, great artist and fine mentor with the passing of Maggie Price on Thursday, April 4. Maggie joined the NMAL board in January 2011, focusing on publicity and promotion for the League as well as redesigning and maintaining its web site. She was a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America, Pastel Society of New Mexico (Distinguished Pastelist), and Plein Air Painters of New Mexico; a member of the IAPS Master Circle and Salmagundi Club of New York City. She was co-founder and former editor of The Pastel Journal magazine, and the author of Painting with Pastels (North Light, 2007), and Painting Sunlight & Shadow with Pastels (North Light, spring 2011), and two instructional DVDs (available at North Light Shop).