SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By NM Film Office
The New Mexico Governor’s Mansion Foundation and the New Mexico Film Office (NMFO) are proud to announce a design contest for New Mexico’s popular official ornament. The 2020 state ornament theme is “New Mexico Films the Great American West.” The Foundation and NMFO are partnering to promote the state’s history of film production and ranch culture. The top five designs will receive educational grants.
“I love anything that helps inspire our students about New Mexico’s rich history and arts,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Our film industry and ranch culture are so valuable and I’m eager celebrate these designs with our young artists.”
“New Mexico’s multi-billion-dollar film industry is invaluable to the state’s economy,” said Economic Development Secretary Alicia J. Keyes. “Commemorating New Mexico’s film history and western ranch culture in the official state ornament is a fantastic opportunity to honor these industries and involve the next generation of artists.”
In the old west of yesteryear, exploring the open range and ranch lands of New Mexico, was an authentic experience inhabited by sheriffs, cow pokes, cattle rustlers, vaqueros, cowboys, longhorns and Spanish barbs. New Mexico’s history was shaped, in part, by farm and ranch heritage that is preserved for eternity in countless films that capture the grandeur and majesty of the “Great American West.”
The New Mexico Film Office has achieved success in positioning the state as one of the top places to film western-themed films such as “The Cheyenne Social Club” (1970), “The Cowboys” (1972), “Silverado” (1985), “3:10 to Yuma” (2007), “True Grit” (2010), and “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” (2018).
Past state ornaments have highlighted many features of the state’s unique culture, such as Cochiti pottery, Flamenco dance, Route 66, the chili pepper, hot air balloons and a tribute to turquoise. Past ornaments may be seen here: www.NewMexicoGovernorsMansion.org. As a non-partisan, non-profit organization, the Foundation keeps the beauty and legacy of the historic Governor’s home alive through tours and community outreach. Funds raised by sales of the ornament are used for maintaining and preserving the public areas of the home.
The student with the winning design will receive a scholarship award, and their design will be the basis for the official state ornament. The student with the winning design, along with other finalists, will be lauded at a red carpet ornament release party at the Governor’s Mansion, date TBA. Top prize carries a $2500 scholarship, second place is $1000, third and fourth places are $500 and the fifth place award is $250.
For more information and to download the contest entry form go to http://nmfilm.com/nmfo-events/#ODC.
