SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 90

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Leonard Tsosie

A JOINT MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF NATIVE AMERICAN ARTISTS DURING THE NEW DEAL AND DECLARING MARCH 7, 2005 AS "NATIVE AMERICAN NEW DEAL ART DAY" AT THE LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt initiated New Deal emergency programs in 1933 designed to boost the national economy and help bring the country out of the great depression; and

     WHEREAS, artists created work of significant artistic, cultural and historical value under federal sponsorship through the New Deal's various public art projects; and

     WHEREAS, New Deal funds were used to promote Indian arts and crafts, increase employment, improve infrastructure on reservations and construct schools; and

     WHEREAS, a national exhibit of artwork completed under the public works of art project was held at the Corcoran gallery of art in Washington, D.C., in 1934 that included works of art from New Mexico, two-thirds of which were Indian-made and featured Navajo rugs, mural paintings and pottery; and

     WHEREAS, the department of the interior building in the nation's capital, constructed between 1935 and 1936, houses important murals by three of New Mexico's most notable Indian artists, Velino Shije Herrera, Allan Houser and Gerald Nailor, along with Oklahoma artist Woodrow Crumbo; and

     WHEREAS, despite some shortcomings, President Roosevelt's New Deal arts programs increased the awareness and appreciation of Native American art in the nation; and

     WHEREAS, many Native Americans took part in the arts programs, including Harrison Begay, Maria and Julian Martinez, Tonita Pena and her son, Joe H. Herrera and Pablita Velarde; and

     WHEREAS, numerous public buildings throughout the state house Native American works of art that were produced as part of the New Deal arts programs; and

     WHEREAS, many works of art produced during that time have been lost, misplaced or destroyed; and

     WHEREAS, many of the artists are no longer with us today or cannot be located; and

     WHEREAS, the arts programs recorded and presented the essence of New Mexico geographically, culturally, artistically, architecturally, agriculturally and environmentally;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that March 7, 2005 be designated as "Native American New Deal Art Day" at the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it recognize Pablita Velarde and Harrison Begay, the two living representatives of the group of New Deal artists; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it honor the memory of New Mexico's other Native American New Deal artists through their families present at the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the work of these artists be commemorated and celebrated as among the greatest accomplishments of this state, particularly when considering the economic circumstances under which they were created; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature celebrate the lives and contributions of those fine artists and strive to preserve their accomplishments to share them with future generations as a message of beauty and hope; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the copies of this memorial be transmitted to Native American New Deal artists and their families.

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