New Mexico: Veteran Artists Thank First Responders

Crush, in bronze by Mark Yale Harris, PFC First Class, U.S. Army. Harris writes, “Thank you to the true heroes on the front line. They are the individuals who are keeping the country running.”

The Art in Public Places program of New Mexico Arts has facilitated the creation and installation of more than 2,500 works of art in all of New Mexico’s 33 counties. The program reflects the diversity of the arts in New Mexico and the Southwest, engages the public’s civic imagination, and builds a dynamic public art collection for the state of New Mexico. Since 2015, New Mexico Arts has led a New Mexico Arts and the Military collaboration to harness the healing power of art to support New Mexico military families, veterans and active-duty service members. The agency has created a network of more than 200 artists and allied groups dedicated to this work, exemplified by numerous local projects using the arts to facilitate recovery and support positive transitions to civilian life.

In response to COVID-19, the two programs have combined resources to create The Essential(s) poster series. The posters are designed to honor and thank first responders, frontline health workers and their families for keeping New Mexico safe during the public health crisis. Posters feature the work of seven veteran artists who have a history of submissions or commissions through the Art in Public Places program as well as personal experience serving in the armed forces. The posters have been distributed to grocery stores, first responders, COVID-19 test sites and hospitals, including one in the hard-hit city of Gallup. The series began with the release of posters by Edward Gonzales, Mark Yale Harris and Charlie Burk. Burk (U.S. Navy 1966 – 1972) writes of his Hideaway image, “I am very grateful for the opportunity to offer an image for this First Responder project. In the painting there is quiet chaos, confusion and struggle in the foreground, but a place offering tranquil, solid earth in the distance. The first responders are selflessly on the front lines between here and there in today’s reality. We appreciate their intrepid efforts in this troubled time and always.” Find out more about The Essential(s) poster series from New Mexico Arts Program Coordinator Phyllis Kennedy.