Congratulations to MFA graduate student Ella Pigg and undergraduate student Finn Ellis on the success of their project, Neon Forge.
Exploring Art and Activism at Highlands University: A New Article on the Voces del Pueblo Exhibition
We’re excited to share that Myrriah Gómez, Associate Professor at the Honors College at UNM, has written an insightful article titled “Art and Activism at Highlands University” in Santa Fe Magazine, El Palacio. In her article, Gómez highlights the Voces del Pueblo exhibition, which features documentary photographs selected by Art History Professor Ray Hernández-Durán. These images showcase the important role of women and children in the student movements at New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) during the early 1970s.
The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see how these photographs reflect a pivotal moment in New Mexico’s history, while also highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of women and children to the civil rights and Chicano movements of the era. Gómez’s article provides valuable insight into the social activism that took place at NMHU, giving readers a deeper understanding of this transformative time.
Photography has always been a powerful tool for social change, and these images go beyond documenting historical moments. They amplify the voices of those who played key roles in the activism of the 1970s, helping to ensure that their contributions are remembered and honored.
In addition to the article, we’re excited to announce that the Voces del Pueblo exhibition catalogue is now available for purchase online through UNM Press and Amazon. The catalogue features the full collection of photographs along with an essay by Myrriah Gómez, offering a deeper exploration of the themes and historical context behind the exhibition.
If you’re interested in getting your own copy, you can order online or attend the closing reception of the exhibition on Sunday, February 8, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) in Albuquerque. The event is free and open to the public.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
READ MORE of Myrriah Gómez’s full article here https://elpalacio.org/2025/12/art-and-activism-at-highlands-university/
ORDER your copy here https://www.unmpress.com/9780826368737/voces-del-pueblo/
UNM Theatre and Dance Faculty Member Sara Curran Ice accepted to 2026 OISTAT India Research Trip
The Department of Theatre and Dance would like to congratulate costume designer and UNM Faculty member Sara Curran Ice on her acceptance to the 2026 OISTAT India Research Trip. Ice is one of the eight participants chosen, four of whom are from the United States, to experience the textiles and practices of South India as it relates to the rich and dynamic performing arts in the region.
Art MFA Alum Kerry Cottle Builds a Career Blending Material and Meaning
Kerry Cottle, a 2022 graduate of the University of New Mexico’s Art MFA program, is emerging as a compelling voice in contemporary painting, with exhibitions across California and a studio practice grounded in material experimentation, abstraction, and sustainability....