Board of Directors

CAROYLN BERRY, Vice President

Carolyn Berry has been passionate about teaching art for over 25 years. As a public school teacher, she has been named Outstanding Kansas Educator of the Year and has taught workshops for the Kansas City Art Institute Continuing Education, the Nelson Atkins Museum, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts and various art centers. Working primarily with collage, photography and encaustic wax, her encaustic mixed media work can be seen in the recent North Light Book publications, Incite3 and Incite 4. She maintains a studio and exhibits in the Albuquerque, NM area. Carolyn's work can be found in collections throughout the United States.

BETSY GREENLEE, Secretary

Betsy grew up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and from an early age enjoyed watercolor painting in nature with her mother. Still, it was not until mid-life, living and working in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that she had the opportunity to study art formally. Beginning with drawing classes at Washtenaw Community College, she eventually earned both bachelor of fine arts and master of fine arts degrees from Eastern Michigan University, with a concentration in serigraphy and intaglio printmaking. After moving to New Mexico in 1998, she began working primarily in pastels, occasionally in acrylics and mixed media, and received numerous awards in both local and national shows. In 2011 Betsy returned to her first love, printmaking, after taking a class in a nontoxic process of making prints from photosensitive plates. Her prints have been included in shows at the New Mexico Art League and Remarque Print Workshop. She is a member and former president of the Pastel Society of New Mexico. Betsy is delighted to have the opportunity to serve on the board of the New Mexico Art League during this period of transition to a new director.

BRIGID CONKLIN, Interim Treasurer

Brigid grew up in the Chicago area surrounded by art. Before she was school age, she accompanied her mother on the local art league's plein air outings and no family visit to Chicago was complete without a trip to the Art Institute. While she has always loved art, she had had no art instruction since she was a girl until she enrolled in a beginning drawing class at the New Mexico Art League in 2013. She has taken classes at the Art League ever since. Brigid has a background in corporate banking and has served on advisory committees for a charity and for an international school while living in Shanghai, China. She is a member of the Pastel Society of New Mexico and is excited to be involved with the Art League.

KATHLEEN BUTLER

Kathleen was born and raised in Berkeley, California. Her parents and grandparents were avid museum-goers, and supporters of the arts which greatly influenced Kathleen. She received her BA in art history from Mills College, and her MA and PhD in art history from UC Berkeley. Having spent her career in museums and higher education in northern California, she retired to Albuquerque where she began taking classes at the New Mexico Art League. Kathleen has found not only excellent instructors at the Art League, but a wonderful community of individuals whose creativity is a constant source of inspiration. Kathleen is also a member of the New Mexico Watercolor Society.

ELAINE SCHEIDEMAN

Elaine’s early education was in different countries due to a military family.  She went to high school and university in Southern California. She earned her BFA at UCLA and her MFA at USC.  Both degrees were with an emphasis in Costume Design from the Dept. of Theatre.  She spent many years working as a Costume Supervisor in the Motion Picture Industry in Los Angeles.  In later years, she was the Director of Costumes for Warner Bros. Studio Facilities. She retired to Albuquerque and began taking art classes at the New Mexico Art League. Her passion is for watercolors.  Elaine is a huge fan of the Art League; the instructors, breadth of classes and the facility.  She looks forward to helping the Art League’s growth and development.

AMELIA (MELLIE) MEYER

Mellie grew up in Kansas and came to New Mexico 30 years ago where she began taking art classes and further developing a lifetime interest in drawing and painting.  She began her work life as a reporter and news editor for a daily newspaper, taught journalism in West Africa with the Peace Corps, and then worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in public affairs. After taking off a few years to raise her daughters, she worked for two decades as a nonprofit executive director, first for Common Cause New Mexico and then for the New Mexico Psychological Association (NMPA). She continues to love her classes at the NM Art League, and is currently an artist member and serves on the board at Gallery ABQ.

CATHY ANN CONNELLY

Cathy Ann is currently navigating the fourth phase of a diverse and fulfilling life, exploring the world of art while continuing to support the NMAL, an organization that has been a cornerstone of her journey for the past decade. Her goal is to ensure that NMAL can continue to provide transformative opportunities to others. In her professional role, Cathy Ann serves as an action officer and executive strategy professional at Sandia National Labs (SNL). Prior to this, she spent 12 years in Taos, New Mexico, where she owned and operated the historic 1832 Adobe & Pines Inn and served as the Town’s Tourism and Community Relations Director. During this time, she led the Remarkable Women of Taos public relations/marketing campaign, which won statewide awards from both the New Mexico Marketing Association and the Tourism Association of New Mexico. Her efforts contributed to a six-fold increase in the town’s promotions budget over five years. Additionally, she served on the boards of the Taos County Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Association of New Mexico, Region 5 of the New Mexico Tourism Department, and Quality New Mexico. Before moving to New Mexico in 2000, Cathy Ann ran a successful public affairs and communications consultancy in Los Angeles for 20 years, representing a diverse range of clients, from Disney Development and Tejon Ranch to small nonprofit organizations serving the unhoused. Cathy Ann holds a degree in Communications Studies from UCLA and an MBA from the University of New Mexico. Beyond her career, Cathy Ann is driven by family, golf, lifelong learning, humor, and a commitment to equity and justice. She prioritizes staying physically vibrant and active, and finds joy in painting, sketching, writing, and designing spaces that inspire. Cathy Ann is an avid reader of mysteries and enjoys surprising others. Life is about play, exploration, and fun, and she strives to embrace those elements every day.

BILL A. FLOREZ

Bill retired after 37 years with Jaynes Corporation, one of the largest construction companies in the Southwest, where he held roles as an Estimator, Project Manager, and Vice President. Since retiring, Bill has dedicated himself to creating artwork in various mediums, working from his home studio. Throughout his career at Jaynes, he represented the construction industry on several local and national boards. Notably, he served as a board member for the Museum of Natural History and the National High School Rodeo, both of which were especially rewarding experiences. Raised in a ranching family in northwest New Mexico, Bill developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors, the close-knit ranching community, and the values of family. The New Mexico Art League has provided him with a space to explore his creativity, and the support and inspiration from its members motivate him to continue growing as an artist. Bill is excited to be a part of the Art League and looks forward to the opportunities it brings.

WING (DIXON) LAU

Born in Hong Kong, he began his artistic journey learning Chinese calligraphy and painting from his parents. His sensibility for the arts is shaped by years of Asian, European, and Western influences, drawn from his experiences living and working in different countries. After graduating at the University of Western Ontario, he built his career in the high-tech industry, progressing from software development to product management and ultimately specializing in business strategy for customer experience. Despite his technical pursuits, he continuously nurtured his artistic passion, taking classes and workshops from admired local artists. Since 2018, as a member, he strongly believes in the value of the New Mexico Art League. Now, as a board member, he is excited to serve and support its mission.

JOE RUIZ

Originally from the Bronx, NY, Joe Ruiz has always been captivated by the vibrant arts scene of New York City. His early exposure to the city's museums sparked a lifelong passion for art and design, which he now explores from his home in New Mexico, inspired by its distinct landscapes and light. Joe has consistently sought out opportunities to expand his knowledge of art, embracing a largely self-taught path while also taking courses at the Art Students League of New York, Parsons School of Design, and Lehman College, among others. He has spent over thirty years in the packaging and branding industry, with certifications in packaging development from the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IOPP) and color management from Idealliance. His leadership on numerous projects for high-profile clients, managing everything from design execution to print production, showcases his extensive expertise in graphic design. This deep knowledge not only bolsters his professional achievements but also informs his personal art projects, particularly his experiments with oil and cold wax mediums. Beyond his professional endeavors, Joe is passionate about exploring the histories of art and design, convinced that a deeper understanding of the past can significantly enrich contemporary creative efforts. His approach to art is both exploratory and educational, driven by a desire to continuously grow and share his insights. As a board member of the New Mexico Arts League, Joe is committed to helping make art both relatable and enriching, ensuring it remains a vital and accessible part of the New Mexico community.

Art League Staff