Sierra County Arts Council

P.O. Box 1924 - Truth or Consequences,

New Mexico 87901

Telephone: 575-894-0615

Email: scacnewmexico@gmail.com

Webmaster contact

The Sierra County Arts Council board meets at 5:30 pm on the first Wednesday of every month at the T or C Public Library Meeting Room, 325 Library Lane, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901. The public is invited.

Board Members:

Cary "Jagger" Gustin, President

A founding Board Member, thirteen years ago, Jagger helped with the incorporation papers, and has served in most board positions. His art is tailoring. He plans to open a custom tailoring shop in Downtown Truth or Consequences, specializing in Western Wear. He is currently the staff tailor for the New Mexico State Veteran's Home, and is in charge of caring for resident wardrobes.

In addition to his involvement with the Sierra County Arts Council, Jagger is a past Board Member of Sierra County Humane Society, the T or C Community Partnership, the Sierra County Economic Development Organization, Fiesta Board of Directors and Geronimo Days Celebration Board. Currently, in addition to his position as President of SCAC, he is a member of the Geronimo Springs Museum Board, the Truth or Consequences/Sierra County Chamber of Commerce Board, Geronimo Trails High School Advisory Board, the Downtown Historic Bath House District Board, the Gallery Association, Film Liaison for Sierra County to the State of New Mexico Film Office.

As well as being an outdoor enthusiast, Jagger contributes greatly to anticipated growth and enhancement of our city and county. He has resided here for forty one years.

Rebecca Speakes, Secretary

Rebecca brings a variety of skills to the Arts Council board. Originally a freelance graphic designer and advertising production artist, for 25 years she was involved in a variety of commercial arts trades. In 1980, she blended her graphic design skills with art quilt design. Since then, she has been very involved in fiber arts, creating large and small embellished art quilts, and a home décor line of table runners, mug mats and pillows. Rebecca is also a beaded jewelry artist and a professional tarot reader.

Going back to her professional roots, Rebecca is involved with promoting Sierra County. She has designed brochures and other print media. Rebecca is Project Manager and Graphic Designer of the Arts Council’s annual Sierra County Artists Directory. She also coordinates the art shows at Compass Bank and the SCAC emailings.

As a past president of the Sierra County Arts Council board, Rebecca brings her years of board experience to a vital and growth-oriented group.

Sid Bryan, Treasurer

Sid is dedicated to the Arts in Sierra County. He has been an art gallery owner in Truth or Consequences and has promoted many aspects of the arts through the years. Sid is a renowned art collector.

Stephen Rice

Stephen is the director of mural projects. He is also the coordinator of art competitions at the Sierra County Fair.

Dave Cleveland

Retired USCG civilian who happened to move here after several visits, first one being as a driver in the Fiesta Parade for a friend. Keen interest in blues music and by some mysterious chance got involved with local blues band 24/7 for taking some pics which grew into poster making, recording, website and more fotos..we eventually formed the Rio Grande River Blues Preservation Society (RGRBPS) and now TORCBLUES.ORG. Asked to be funded for four blues bands to play in TORC by SCAC which turned out to be quite successful and well attended. With that under our belt, we felt a closer relationship with SCAC was in our, SCAC and TORC that I should attend more meetings and work with the community, sponsors and others who contributed to 2010 success so to keep the music going and what better way then to serve on the council. I bring several years of getting bands, venues, and community support for live blues music to the board. Living here has been fulfilling, fun, adventurous. I feel extremely lucky to be surrounded by some great folks and musicians in the region, more of whom we would like to play here..Music Festival anyone?

James Gasowski

James Gasowski was born in San Francisco in 1954. He started his education at San Francisco State University, then attended the Academy of Art, also in San Francisco.

His artwork is in private and public collections in the United States and Europe. He has shown in Santa Fe at the Center for Contemporary Art, Gallery Zipp, Phil Space Gallery, at Decorazon Gallery in Dallas, Winterowd Fine Arts in Santa Fe and the Affordable Art Fair in NY, MiamiArt Fair Basel, and RedDot Art Fair in London. In 2010 his work was selected for the New Mexico State Capitol Collection in Santa Fe.

He is currently represented by Studio Niche in Truth or Consequences, NM and Rio Bravo Fine Art in Truth or Consequences, NM., and Conrad Wilde Gallery in Tucson

Susan Richardson

Susan has a life-long history of social activism. She has a BA in Anthropology and Ecology from New College of California. She is a writer and poet, active in the Spoken Word and Poetry Slam circuit as a performance poet. She is also a artisan weaver, basket maker and beader. Her work life has included teaching, substance abuse counseling , sales and promotional marketing. She is currently the Founder of Desert Mojo Productions, an event marketing company and will be spearheading the Truth or Consequences Literary Festival to be held in Fall of 2012.

Joanne Flink

Joanne is a Brooklyn, NY native who spent the earliest part of her career teaching Art on Long Island at Elementary and Junior High Schools. She moved to Los Angeles and continued to teach Art to Junior High and High School students.
After earning her Master’s degree in Educational Psychology, Joanne changed careers to become a full time College Professor and College Counselor after a very brief period counseling in the private sector. She spent the next 26 years of her career at Los Angeles Mission College where she taught classes in Personal Development and Psychology. More importantly, she was a highly sought-after Personal, Career, and Transfer Counselor to countless students.
In 2002, Joanne and her Husband first visited Truth or Consequences. She has been a full-time resident of T or C since her retirement in 2009. She lives with her Husband of 25 years.

Vikki Nicholson

Vikki moved to Truth or Consequences with her husband 5 years ago from Alaska. She is a working artist and enjoys helping promote the Arts in Sierra County.