Art League of New Mexico

Fine Arts teachers and students of the University of New Mexico founded the Art League of New Mexico in 1929. The League laid out six purposes: (1) patronage of the arts in NM, (2) development of art interests and creative expression among individuals and organizations, (3) the development of resources of NM with respect to art, (4) holding of art exhibits, (5) the purchase of works of art representative of the Southwest, and (6) maintenance of a permanent collection of art for public benefit. The League is a non-profit organization and funds received through memberships and donations are used for carrying out the purposes of the organization. The League conducted early fundraising through art auctions and the annual "Beaux Arts Balls," both of which contributed to the acquisition of important works of art for permanent collections in New Mexico. The League hosted an annual Art Ball, a gala costume event. The League suspended the Art Ball during World War II and revived the ball in 1945 after a five year hiatus. One of the main functions of the League was to sponsor exhibitions in the galleries of the Fine Arts Buildings on the University of New Mexico campus. Raymond Jonson (who retired as Professor Emeritus of the Art Department at UNM in 1954) served as Chairman of the exhibition committee starting in 1942 and coordinated league sponsored exhibitions.

Fine Arts teachers and students of the University of New Mexico founded the Art League of New Mexico in 1929. The League laid out six purposes: (1) patronage of the arts in NM, (2) development of art interests and creative expression among individuals and organizations, (3) the development of resources of NM with respect to art, (4) holding of art exhibits, (5) the purchase of works of art representative of the Southwest, and (6) maintenance of a permanent collection of art for public benefit. The League is a non-profit organization and funds received through memberships and donations are used for carrying out the purposes of the organization.

The League conducted early fundraising through art auctions and the annual "Beaux Arts Balls," both of which contributed to the acquisition of important works of art for permanent collections in New Mexico. The League hosted an annual Art Ball, a gala costume event. The League suspended the Art Ball during World War II and revived the ball in 1945 after a five year hiatus. One of the main functions of the League was to sponsor exhibitions in the galleries of the Fine Arts Buildings on the University of New Mexico campus. Raymond Jonson (who retired as Professor Emeritus of the Art Department at UNM in 1954) served as Chairman of the exhibition committee starting in 1942 and coordinated league sponsored exhibitions.