Nopalitos Galeria presents: Origins – “A New Start” featuring the artwork of Arnold Puentes and John Dick-Peddie.
December 7th to December 30th 2018.

“The art is homage not only to the fertile valleys and various locales of Dona Ana County and Las Cruces, but also to the fertile beginnings of indigenous/cultural myths, stories, and images.”

Co-hosts: Susan Austin and Iris Puentes

Facilitator: David Chavez

Art Ramble
Date:      December 7th 2018
Time:      5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Artists Reception
Date:      December 8th 2018
Time:      4 p.m. until 8 p.m.

About The Artist

Arnold Puentes was born in Silver City, New Mexico and spent his earliest childhood years in the nearby mining town of Santa Rita. He attended schools in Santa Ana, California and Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was first exposed to art at an early age by his father, and he credits his first art teacher and mentor in middle school for developing his passion for creating art. Arnold began his formal art training in high school. Awarded a Kiwanis scholarship to New Mexico State University, he undertook a painting major under the instruction of painter and muralist Ken Barrick, sculptor Ed Vega, and designer/painter Dr. Trini Lopez. In 1980 he traveled to Mexico City with the aid of a research grant to study methods, materials, and techniques of mural painting. He graduated from NMSU with a BFA in Painting in May 1981 and relocated to Albuquerque, where he has been active in the local Hispanic art community and has since painted and produced several community/civic murals.