the Governor's Arts Award Winners

Since 1974, the artistic and cultural contributions of 333 individuals have been recognized with the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts. This Web site includes biographical information on all the award recipients since 2007. Select a name from the list below to learn more about the recipients.


(2022 - Las Cruces, Visual Artist)
(2022 - Bernalillo, Dance)
(2022 - Santa Fe, Visual Artist)
(2022 - Santa Fe, Design Arts)
(2022 - Farmington, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2022 - Carlsbad, Crafts)
(2022 - Golden, Visual Artist)
(2022 - Taos Pueblo, Crafts)
(2021 - Taos, Individual Contributor to the Arts)
(2021 - Santo Domingo Pueblo, Visual Artist)
(2021 - Santa Fe, Visual Artist)
(2021 - Santa Fe, Music)
(2021 - Jemez Pueblo, Visual Artist)
(2021 - Gallup, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2021 - Alto, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2019 - Santa Fe, Individual Artist)
(2019 - Santa Fe, Individual Artist)
(2019 - Los Lunas, Individual Artist)
(2019 - Santa Clara Pueblo, Individual Artist)
(2019 - Albuquerque, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2019 - Silver City, Individual Contributor to the Arts)
(2018 - Santa Fe, Artist, Music)
(2018 - Tatum, Artist, Sculpture/Bronze)
(2018 - Santa Clara Pueblo, Artist, Ceramics, Bronze and Glass)
(2018 - Santa Fe, Artist, Painting/Other Media)
(2018 - , Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2018 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2018 - Santa Fe, Major Contributors to the Arts)
(2018 - , Leadership in the Arts)
(2017 - Silver City, Artists, Music)
(2017 - Taos, Artist, Master Santero/Spanish Colonial Bultos and Retablos)
(2017 - El Valle, Artist, Writing/Literature)
(2017 - San Ildefonso Pueblo, Artist, Pottery)
(2017 - Santa Fe, Artist, Photographer)
(2017 - Albuquerque, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2017 - Roswell, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2016 - Santa Fe, Artist, Painter/Mixed Media)
(2016 - El Rito, Artist, Painting/Sculpture/Mixed Media)
(2016 - Santa Fe, Artist, Glass)
(2016 - Espanola, Artist, Master Santero/Spanish Colonial Bultos)
(2016 - Dixon, Artist, Painting)
(2016 - Las Cruces, Major Contributors to the Arts)
(2016 - San Patricio, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2016 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2015 - Las Cruces, Individual Artist)
(2015 - Albuquerque, Individual Artist)
(2015 - Las Cruces, Individual Artist)
(2015 - Cochiti Pueblo, Individual Artist)
(2015 - Chimayó, Individual Artist)
(2015 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2015 - San Lorenzo, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2014 - Taos, Individual Artist)
(2014 - Santa Fe, Individual Artist)
(2014 - Galisteo, Individual Artist)
(2014 - Hillsboro, Individual Artist)
(2014 - Las Cruces, Major Contributors to the Arts)
(2014 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2014 - Santa Clara Pueblo, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2013 - Albuquerque, Individual Artist)
(2013 - Santa Fe, Individual Artist)
(2013 - Taos, Individual Artist)
(2013 - Taos, Individual Artist)
(2013 - Santa Fe, Individual Artist)
(2013 - Roswell, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2013 - Silver City, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2012 - Santa Fe, Individual Artist)
(2012 - San Lorenzo, Individual Artist)
(2012 - Las Cruces, Individual Artist)
(2012 - Taos, Individual Artist)
(2012 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2012 - Hobbs, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2012 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2011 - Belen, Individual Artist)
(2011 - Cochiti Pueblo, Individual Artist)
(2011 - Las Cruces, Individual Artist)
(2011 - Chimayo, Individual Artist)
(2011 - Roswell, Individual Artist)
(2011 - Santa Fe, Major Contributors to the Arts)
(2011 - Las Cruces, Major Contributors to the Arts)
(2010 - Galisteo, Individual Artist)
(2010 - Taos, Individual Artist)
(2010 - Santa Fe, Individual Artist)
(2010 - Santa Fe, Individual Artist)
(2010 - Santa Fe, Individual Artist)
(2010 - Santa Fe, Individual Artist)
(2010 - Santa Fe, Major Contributors to the Arts)
(2010 - Raton, Major Contributors to the Arts)
(2010 - Albuquerque, Major Contributors to the Arts)
(2010 - Santa Fe, Leadership in the Arts)
(2009 - Las Cruces, Sculpture)
(2009 - Santa Fe, Blacksmithing and Sculpture)
(2009 - Santa Clara Pueblo, Pottery)
(2009 - Santa Fe, Literary Arts)
(2009 - Albuquerque, Sculpture)
(2009 - Roswell, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2009 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2009 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2008 - Albuquerque, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2008 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2008 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2008 - Santa Fe, Painting)
(2008 - Artesia, Painting and Mural Artistry)
(2008 - Santa Fe, Aural Historian)
(2008 - Taos, Sculpture)
(2008 - Silver City, Painting)
(2007 - Raton, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2007 - Santa Fe, Fiber Arts/Weaving/Tapestry)
(2007 - Quemado, Spanish Colonial Tinwork)
(2007 - Albuquerque, Sculpture/Detonography)
(2007 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2007 - Albuquerque, Major Contributor to the Arts)
(2007 - New Mexico, Major Contributor to the Arts.)
(2007 - Los Alamos, Allan Houser Memorial Award)
Dominguez, Eddie
(2006 - Roswell, Artist/sculpture/ceramics)
The Santa Fe Opera, Richard Gaddes
(2006 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Oliver-Lewis, Irene
(2006 - Las Cruces, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Parsons, Jack
(2006 - Santa Fe, Artist/Photography)
Sherman, Clara
(2006 - Santa Fe, Artist/Weaving)
Howe, Delmas
(2006 - Truth or Consequences, Artist/Painting)
Sakiestewa, Ramona
(2006 - Santa Fe, Artist/Weaving)
Wagner, Rory
(2006 - Taos, Artist/Painting)
Milner, Edwina
(2006 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Sanchez, Joseph
(2006 - Santa Fe, Allan Houser Memorial Award)
Taylor, John Paul
(2005 - Mesilla, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Ruthling, Ford
(2005 - Santa Fe, Painting/Sculpture/Printmaking)
Oliphant, Patrick
(2005 - Santa Fe, Cartoonist/Painting/Sculpture)
McIlvoy, Kevin
(2005 - Las Cruces, Literature)
Hall, Douglas Kent
(2005 - Albuquerque, Photography)
Hammersley, Frederick
(2005 - Albuquerque, Painting)
Goodman, William
(2005 - Tinnie, Sculpture/Painting)
Goodacre, Glenna
(2005 - Santa Fe, Sculpture)
Quick-to-See-Smith, Jaune
(2005 - Corrales, Allan Houser Memorial Award)
Lujan, Edward L.
(2005 - Albuquerque, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Berkowitz, Ralph
(2004 - Albuquerque, Music)
Floyd, Glynese
(2004 - Hobbs, Theatre)
Hulings, Clark
(2004 - Santa Fe, Painting)
McGarrity, Michael
(2004 - Santa Fe, Literature)
Rivera, Elias
(2004 - Santa Fe, Painting)
Youngblood, Nancy
(2004 - Santa Fe, Pottery)
Schultz, Ruth
(2004 - Albuquerque, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Lannan, Patrick
(2004 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Fonseca, Harry
(2004 - Santa Fe, Allan Houser Memorial Award)
Pierce, Florence Miller
(2003 - Albuquerque, Painting)
Nagatani, Patrick
(2003 - Albuquerque, Photography)
Feezer, Frances
(2003 - Carlsbad, Individual Contributor to the Arts)
Atencio, Paulette
(2003 - Chama, Folklorist/Storyteller)
Hyde, Doug
(2003 - Santa Fe, Sculptor)
Zeckendorf, Nancy
(2003 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Chunestudey, Don
(2003 - Santa Fe, Allan Houser Memorial Award/Sculptor)
Cantrell, Ruth
(2002 - Las Cruces, Theatre Artist/Arts Educator)
Freimuth, William
(2002 - Farmington, Architect)
Kempter, Dale
(2002 - Albuquerque, Music Educator)
Lippincott, Janet
(2002 - Santa Fe, Painting)
Vigil, Frederico
(2002 - Santa Fe, Mural Fresco Artist)
Walker, Joyce
(2002 - Hobbs, Contributor to the Arts)
Teters, Charlene
(2002 - Santa Fe, Allan Houser Memorial Award)
Dailey, Charles
(2001 - Santa Fe, Art Educator)
Evans, Bill
(2001 - Hamlin, Dancer)
Halford, Monica Sosaya
(2001 - Santa Fe, Santera/Artist)
McCulloch, Frank
(2001 - Albuquerque, Art Educator/Artist)
O'Shaughnessy, Michael and Marianne
(2001 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Turkle, Brinton
(2001 - Santa Fe, Literature/Children's Books)
Zink, Melissa
(2001 - Taos, Artist/Mix Media)
Grandbois, Dorothy
(2001 - Corrales, Allan Houser Memorial Award)
Irwin, Sara Wea
(2000 - Fort Hall, Allan Houser Memorial Award)
Abrams, Jonathan
(2000 - Albuquerque, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Anderson, Chilton
(2000 - Taos, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Babey, Laurena Fenow
(2000 - Las Cruces, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Cordova, Gloria Lopez
(2000 - Cordova, Santera)
Farnsworth, Richard
(2000 - Lincoln, Film/Actor)
Joe, Sr., Oreland C.
(2000 - Kirtland, Sculptor)
Ortiz, Simon
(2000 - Tucson, Poet)
La Fonda, Jim Bradbury
(2000 - Santa Fe, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Cota, Laura Fragua
(1999 - Jemez Pueblo, Allan Houser Memorial Award)
Aston, Rogers
(1999 - Roswell, Bronze Sculpture)
Howard, Cecil
(1999 - Glenwood, Painter/Collage)
Chappell, Walter
(1999 - El Rito, Photography)
New, Lloyd Kiva
(1999 - Santa Fe, Arts Education)
Martinez, Roberto
(1999 - Albuquerque, Music)
Thaw Charitable Trust,
(1999 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
American Express,
(1998 - Dallas, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Ellis, Robert
(1998 - Taos, Painter)
Lopez, Ramon Jose
(1998 - Santa Fe, Santero/Furniture/ Silversmith)
Martin, Agnes
(1998 - Taos, Visual Arts/Painter)
Martinez, Estefanita
(1998 - San Juan Pueblo, Storyteller)
Snidow, Gordon
(1998 - Los Lunas, Visual Arts/Painter)
Spencer, Jacqueline
(1998 - Alto, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Stedman, Myrtle
(1997 - Tesuque, Arts & Architecture)
Harjo, Joy
(1997 - Albuquerque, Poetry)
Bloch, Nancy & Richard
(1997 - Rancho Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Ribera-Ortega, Pedro
(1997 - Santa Fe, Literature/Art Historian)
Morris, Rippel
(1997 - Albuquerque, WatercolorPainting)
Gabbi, Marianna
(1997 - Las Cruces, Music Director & Conductor)
Velasco, Delia
(1997 - Santa Fe, Allan Houser Memorial Award)
Egri, Ted
(1996 - El Prado, Visual Arts/Sculpture)
Lefranc, Margaret
(1996 - Santa Fe, Visual Arts/Painting)
Momaday, N.Scott
(1996 - Santa Fe, Literature)
Marion, Anne & John
(1996 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Tapia, Luis
(1996 - Santa Fe, Visual Arts)
Yazzie, Erma
(1996 - La Crescenta, Allan Houser Memorial Award)
Carrillo, Charlie
(1995 - Santa Fe, Traditional Arts, Santero)
Chavez, Denise
(1995 - Mesilla Valley, Literature)
Hahn (UNM, Fine Arts), Betty
(1995 - Albuquerque, Visual Arts/Photography)
Hayes, Joe
(1995 - Albuquerque, Literature/Storytelling)
Lucero, Abad Eloy
(1995 - Albuquerque, Traditional Arts, Woodworking)
Steinke, Bettina
(1995 - Santa Fe, Visual Arts)
Tsosie, Robert Dale
(1995 - San Jose, Allan Houser Memorial Award)
Shidoni Foundry, Tommy Hicks
(1995 - Tesuque, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Cotsen Family Foundation, Lloyd Cotsen
(1995 - Los Angeles, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Namingha, Dan
(1995 - Santa Fe, Painter)
Mabry, Jane
(1995 - Albuquerque, Painter)
Avery, Keith
(1994 - Roswell, Poetry)
Bryan, Howard
(1994 - Corrales, Literature)
Nieto, John
(1994 - Corrales, Painting)
Pimental Family,
(1994 - Albuquerque, Guitar Makers)
Rodriquez, Paula
(1994 - Santa Fe, Straw Applique)
Thompson, Colonel James
(1994 - Roswell, Arts Education)
Vigil, Cipriano
(1994 - El Rito, Traditional Music)
NM Council on Photography,
(1994 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Joe, Cheryl
(1994 - , Allan Houser Memorial Award)
Hurricane, Al
(1993 - Albuquerque, Music)
Higgins, K. Lloyd
(1993 - , Arts Education/Music)
Jimenez, Luis
(1993 - Hondo, Visual Arts/Sculpture)
Hurley, Wilson
(1993 - Albuquerque, Visual Arts/Painting)
American Home Furnishings,
(1993 - Albuquerque, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Jaramillo, Julia
(1993 - Taos, Traditional Arts/Music)
Sandoval, Bonifacio
(1993 - Albuquerque, Traditional Arts/Tinsmithing)
Ligget Meigs, John
(1993 - San Patricio, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Evans, Max
(1993 - Albuquerque, Literature)
Apodaca, Antonia
(1992 - Rociada, Traditional Arts/Music)
Green, Austin 'Slim'
(1992 - Tesuque, Traditional Arts/Saddlemaking)
von Horvath, Irene
(1992 - Santa Fe, Painting & Architecture)
McCray, Dorothy
(1992 - Silver City, Painting & Printmaking)
McHugh, John Wells
(1992 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Sinclair, John L.
(1992 - , Literature)
Tamarind Institute,
(1992 - Albuquerque, Outstanding Corporate Support)
First Natl Bank/ Dona Ana Cnty,
(1992 - Las Cruces, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Farrer, John
(1991 - Bakersfield, Music)
Seowtewa, Alex
(1991 - Zuni, Painting)
Lucero Valenzeula, Ricardo
(1991 - , Music Education)
Hubbard, R.D. & Joan Dale
(1991 - Ruidoso Downs, Major Contributor to the Arts)
First Natl Bank/ Belen,
(1991 - Belen, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Bell, Larry
(1990 - Taos, Visual Arts)
Chalee, Pop
(1990 - Santa Fe, Painting)
Hillerman, Tony
(1990 - Albuquerque, Literature)
Quasthoff, Donna
(1990 - Santa Fe, Sculpture)
KGGM-TV-13,
(1990 - Albuquerque, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Corrales Historical Society, John Weitzel
(1990 - Corrales, Historic Pres Support/Arts)
Gorman, R.C.
(1989 - El Prado, Visual Arts)
Predock, Antoine
(1989 - Albuquerque, Architecture)
Sims, Agnes
(1989 - Santa Fe, Visual Arts)
Velarde, Carmen
(1989 - Ranchos de Taos, Adobe Art)
Burlington Resources, Thomas O'Leary
(1989 - Seattle, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Burlington Resources, John Eichelman
(1989 - Santa Fe, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Garcia, Hector
(1988 - Albuquerque, Music)
Latham, Barbara
(1988 - Santa Fe, Visual Arts)
Pesata, Lydia
(1988 - Dulce, Crafts)
Wilson, Keith
(1988 - Las Cruces, Literature)
Rich, Alicia Schacter & Sheldon
(1988 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Ovenwest Corporation,
(1988 - Albuquerque, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Antreasian, Garo Z.
(1987 - Albuquerque, Visual Arts)
Clift, William
(1987 - Santa Fe, Photography)
King, Eleanor
(1987 - Santa Fe, Dance)
Ulibarri, Dr. Sabine
(1987 - Albuquerque, Literature)
Garson, Greer&Col E.E. Fogelson
(1987 - Pecos, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Intn Minerals & Chemicals Corp., Al Paneral
(1987 - Carlsbad, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Coke, Van Deren
(1986 - Santa Fe, Photography/Art History)
Cross, Doris
(1986 - Santa Fe, Visual Arts)
Ortiz, Cleofes
(1986 - Bernal, Folk Music)
Schooley, Elmer
(1986 - Roswell, Visual Arts)
Glowacki, John M.
(1986 - Las Cruces, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Roybal, Max
(1986 - Albuquerque, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Cottonwood Printing Co, Inc., Victor Scherzinger
(1986 - Albuquerque, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Lumpkins, William
(1985 - Santa Fe, Architecture, Painting)
Tafoya, Margaret
(1985 - Espanola, Pottery)
Vigil, Cleofes
(1985 - San Cristobal, Folk Music/Storytelling)
Adams, Clinton
(1985 - Albuquerque, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Mountain Bell(US West),
(1985 - Santa Fe, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Caponigro, Paul
(1984 - Santa Fe, Photography)
Pond Church, Peggy
(1984 - Santa Fe, Literature)
Martinez, Angelina Delgado
(1984 - Santa Fe, Tinsmithing)
Weinrod, William L.
(1984 - Albuquerque, Major Contributor to the Arts)
The Bank of Santa Fe,
(1984 - Santa Fe, Outstanding Corporate Support)
Lewis, Lucy M.
(1983 - Acoma Pueblo, Pottery)
Mauldin, Bill
(1983 - Santa Fe, Cartooning)
Newhall, Beaumont
(1983 - Santa Fe, Photography/History)
Scholder, Fritz
(1983 - Galisteo, Visual Arts)
Anderson, Donald B.
(1983 - Roswell, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Cordero, Helen
(1982 - Cochiti Pueblo, Pottery)
Kirschke, William
(1982 - Santa Fe, Music)
Kozikowski, Janusz
(1982 - Albuquerque, Weaving)
Kozikowski, Nancy
(1982 - Albuquerque, Weaving)
Lopez, George
(1982 - Cordova, Sculpture)
Salazar, David
(1982 - Alcalde, Music)
Vedder, Alan C.
(1982 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Corn, Blue
(1981 - Santa Fe, Pottery)
Ellis, Fremont F.
(1981 - Santa Fe, Painting)
Nichols, John
(1981 - Taos, Literature)
Wyeth, Henriette
(1981 - San Patricio, Painting)
Paloheimo, Mr. & Mrs. Y.A.
(1981 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Anaya, Dr. Rudolfo A.
(1980 - Albuquerque, Literature)
Houser, Allan
(1980 - Santa Fe, Visual Arts)
Medoff, Mark
(1980 - Las Cruces, Theater)
Rodriguez, Eliseo
(1980 - Santa Fe, Folk Arts)
Girard, Mr. & Mrs. Alexander H.
(1980 - Santa Fe, Major Contributor to the Arts)
Archuleta, Felipe
(1979 - Tesuque, Sculpture)
Cook, Howard
(1979 - Santa Fe, Painting)
Takeda, Yoshimi
(1979 - Albuquerque, Music)
Williamson, Dr. Jack
(1979 - Portales, Literature)
Benitez, Maria
(1978 - Santa Fe, Dance)
Bunting, Dr. Bainbridge
(1978 - Albuquerque, Architectural History)
Mattox, Charles
(1978 - Tivoli, Sculpture)
Reed, Doel
(1978 - Taos, Painting)
Frederick, Dr. Kurt
(1977 - Alexandria, Music)
Horgan, Paul
(1977 - San Patricio, Literature)
Hurd, Peter
(1977 - San Patricio, Painting)
Velarde, Pablita
(1977 - Albuquerque, Painting)
Chavez, Fray Angelico
(1976 - Santa Fe, Literature)
Crosby, John O.
(1976 - Santa Fe, Music)
Dasburg, Andrew
(1976 - Taos, Painting)
Porter, Eliot
(1976 - Santa Fe, Photography)
Jonson, Raymond
(1975 - Albuquerque, Painting)
Martinez, Agueda
(1975 - Medanales, Weaving)
Naranjo, Michael
(1975 - Espanola, Sculpture)
Robb, Dr. J.D.
(1975 - Albuquerque, Music)
Waters, Elizabeth
(1975 - , Dance)
Waters, Frank
(1975 - Taos, Literature)
Gaw Meem, John
(1974 - Santa Fe, Architecture)
Gilpin, Laura
(1974 - Santa Fe, Photography)
Martinez, Maria
(1974 - San Ildefonso Pblo, Pottery)
Boyd, Dr. E
(1974 - Santa Fe, Cultural Preservation)
O'Keeffe, Georgia
(1974 - Abiquiu, Painting)
Thompson Edmister, Grace
(1974 - Albuquerque, Music)