Socorro Art Scene Sizzles

By Ben Moffett (originally published by the Socorro media Mountain Mail and Steppin' Out


What sizzles in Socorro County more than its famous burgers?If you believe New Mexico Magazine (October, 2006 issue) its "the sizzlin' Socorro art scene."Noted Western writer Johnny D. Boggs heaped high praise on virtually every attraction in Socorro in a three-page story, but the headline and text proclaiming the state of "sizzle" of the art scene was the grabber.Given much of the credit was the Fullingim-Isenhour-Leard Galleries.Of course, Socorro residents already know about Socorro's remarkable tourism explosion in recent years, kicked off two decades ago by Bosque del Apache's Festival of the Cranes, which fueled an increase in art and a market for it.It was about a year ago (Nov. 2006) when I wrote that Socorro "isn't noted for its art colony -- not quite, not yet. But it seems to be moving in that direction."Voila! One of my predictions has come true, sanctified by New Mexico Magazine and author Boggs. I wanted to hear more, so I called him.He offered this assessment, off the cuff: "I love Socorro and the area, and not just the green chile cheeseburgers or the view of the Bosque. The quality of the artwork, and the galleries, was a pleasant surprise. I never know what to expect when I'm traveling to do one of these 'artscape' stories, but Socorro has a lively art scene, and a lot of friendly people."This is particularly exciting for Socorro because New Mexico Magazine has such an upscale and high-toned audience -- not unlike Steppin' Out in that regard now that I think of it -- and it reaches an audience both inside and outside the state.Most importantly, subscribers are already motivated to visit the places the magazine features, or they wouldn't be reading it in the first place.While concentrating on the arts scene, Boggs' story covers the gamut of new attractions and old, including the obligatory "Bosque and burgers," which was the sub headline.I won't go over the entire list of attractions the story touches on, except to note Boggs' excitement over the art colony and his recognition of "Socorro County Arts", a group of about 20 artists with a wide range of talents..."The writer makes his case in convincing fashion, quoting several artists on the local scene and touching most of the tourist bases including Magdalena's popular London Frontier Theater Company.Boggs goes into some detail describing the Fullingim-Isenhour-Leard Galleries (http://www.figalleries.com/) and how it got started."Six years ago, (Natasha) Isenhour (http://www.gallerynatasha.com/), a transplanted geologist-turned-painter from North Carolina, teamed up with sculptor Sharon Fullingim (http://www.fullingimstudio.com/) -- who has moved from carving soap figures as a child to copperplate etchings, stone and lost-was bronze sculptures as an adult -- decided to open an art gallery in Socorro."Along the way they picked up pastel painter Skeeter Leard (http://www.skeeterart.com/), a professional artist since 1953 who specializes in birds. (Yes, she was drawn to Socorro by Bosque del Apache). More recently, painter Margi Lucena (http://www.lucenastudios.com/) joined the group and helped take over the Adobe Loft Studios upstairs. 'This is what I've wanted to do all my life,' Lucena said."Boggs noted that Leard gives the building credit for the galleries' success. It's in the historic Juan José Baca House at 113C West Abeyta Street. "The historic structure, which dates to the 1840's, was in crumbling ruins before reconstruction," Boggs wrote."The building is very happy because it did not fall down," Leard says, "so when people come in here, there's something in the air."But Boggs doesn't buy Leard's explanation entirely. He seems to favor Isenhour's explanation that the artists don't consider they are part of a co-op but a partnership of four artists, who do different work while complementing each other.