Community News

Courtesy Photos below

On Saturday October 5th, the Gila Valley Library hosted an anniversary celebration commemorating 20 years, almost to the day, of becoming an accredited library in the small community of Gila, NM. The event looked back at this local landmark’s humble beginnings in cardboard boxes in a community center closet, evolving over the years to eventually working its way into a building rented from Hidalgo Medical Services for one dollar a year.

Highlights throughout the day’s celebration included a performance by the Cliff High School cheerleaders, music by local group No Shame and several resident artisans. A speech was given by Chair Emeritus April Crosby on the 20-year history of the library and many attendees enjoyed a tour of the library’s well established pollinator garden given by the garden’s curator Monica Rude. Lunch was provided by the Gila Valley Deli with additional sides and dishes provided by local families.

The Library is run by an Executive Director, a volunteer Board of Directors and many dedicated volunteers. With the newly hired Director Esti Gutierrez, this group is excited to start a “new chapter .“ While they have always prioritized children’s programming they look forward to what Ms Gutierrez will bring to the library with her STEAM programming experience. The GVL has also recently launched a 15-month calendar featuring local artists and GVL library-logoed t-shirts. Both items are available for sale at the library which is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 4 and Saturday from 10 to 2.

The GVL invites you to come by and enjoy our great selection of books including a robust southwest selection and the enchanting children’s room. Currently featured in the children’s room is an extensive collection of Cliff School yearbooks dating back to 1939. Patrons can also enjoy free high speed internet, computer services and access to a printer. There is a free seed exchange program, which is the largest collection in the county.

The next time you’re in Gila, NM look for this amazing little library between the post office and HMS.

Submitted by Alida Burchett, GVL Board President

To pause the slide show, mouse over the image.

Overall view of the sale

Chrys Masuda learning about fiber art from one of the education boards

Courtesy Photos

SW Women’s Fiber Arts Collective (SWFAC) particiipated in the Silver City Art Association’s Weekend at the Galleries with the Fall Fiber Arts Sale. This annual sale took place Saturday October 12 from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday October 13 from 10 am to 2 pm in the ballroom of the Murray Hotel in Downtown Silver City.

The SWFAC welcome booth had education boards on display that explained the different types of fiber art.

Preceptor Tau members continue with community service projects. As a chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, members determine its own service projects. This year's activities have included donation of personal hygiene packets to SPIN and collection of socks for the Gospel Mission. At the recent meeting, members created Christmas cards which were mailed to the Holiday Card Challenge program who distributes them to our American warriors.

Shown packing personal hygiene items for Spin are Jacque Berry, Leticia Obar and Debbie Gerleve.

The steel and stone sculpture Collaboration is the most recent addition to the public art collection at WNMU. The sculpture, shown here during installation, is the work of Professor Emeritus Michael Metcalf, who taught at the university for three decadesSILVER CITY—A new large-scale sculpture will greet visitors arriving to the campus of Western New Mexico University. The new sculpture, titled Collaboration, is the culmination of four years of design and fabrication by Professor Emeritus Michael Metcalf, who taught in the Department of Expressive Arts for three decades.

Constructed of steel and stone, the sculpture consists of three arced spires, between which is suspended a five-thousand-pound boulder of local Burro Mountain granite, courtesy of the United States Forest Service.

Metcalf, who retired from WNMU this year, received a sabbatical leave in 2021 to begin work on the sculpture. The sabbatical was his only compensation for the work. He also worked closely with WNMU President Joseph Shepard and the university's Art Acquisition Committee to ensure that he had the necessary approval before launching the project.

Metcalf said that the sleek look of the stainless steel is consistent with his other sculptures. "I like a minimalist look," he said, naming the work of artist Donald Judd as an inspiration, "where it looks like it is made by a machine, or you can't really tell the mark of the human, but the reality is the whole surface has been sanded with this texture … to create this subtlety that goes on through the whole piece."

The size of the piece is equally intentional. "This work is really about scale," explained Metcalf. "If it were a quarter of the size, it really wouldn't have the impact that it does." The longest spire in the sculpture is 36 feet long.

Silver and Cobre schools promote and serve NM grown food

(Silver City) – State officials are honoring Silver City Consolidated Schools, Cobre Consolidated School District and Frontier Food Hub for connecting students to locally grown food through the NM Grown program. The Grant County awardees earned awards in the Golden Chile Awards Program for buying and serving locally grown food, providing tasting opportunities, supporting student-led gardens, and educating students about the importance of healthy nutrition.

[Editor's Note: This ad did not fit any of the Beat sizes, so his team created a smaller one, which links to this one.]

Diana Ingalls Leyba is one of seven others recognized by the governor. She has been very involved in the community for years and most notably working with the youth on murals all over town. See below for full information, place and time of award

Lael Wilcox near Silver City during the 2015 Tour Divide race. Courtesy of Tour of the Gila photographer Mitchell Clinton.Presented by Hidalgo Medical Services
Guest to join recreational ride on Saturday, October 12, in southwest New Mexico

SILVER CITY, NM – Ultra-endurance cyclist Lael Wilcox recently pedaled around the globe in 108 days. Next, she will inspire fellow participants in the Gila Monster Gran Fondo presented by Hidalgo Medical Services on Saturday, October 12, in Silver City, New Mexico.