‘The Dinner Party: Multicultural Crossroads in Clay’ opens at Branigan Cultural Center

Branigan Cultural Center will open its newest exhibition, The Dinner Party: Multicultural Crossroads in Clay, which will be on view Nov. 1, 2024, through Jan. 18, 2025.

An opening reception and awards ceremony, featuring artists and juror John Rawlings, will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at the Branigan Cultural Center, 501 N. Main St.

The new exhibit is presented by the Potters’ Guild of Las Cruces, celebrating the 175th anniversary of Mesilla and Las Cruces, N.M., through utilitarian and sculptural art.

The featured artists of the Potters’ Guild will commemorate the 175th anniversary by artistically interpreting the rich history and cultural significance of Las Cruces and Mesilla through the medium of clay.

The exhibit features nine artists who have crafted unique place settings with handmade dinnerware adorned with motifs that capture the spirit of the Southwest. The designs reflect themes such as crosses, crossroads, nature, and the landscape’s influence connecting the region’s past and present.

Drawing inspiration from Judy Chicago’s iconic art piece, “The Dinner Party,” this exhibition showcases the deep-rooted artistic traditions of the region and invites viewers to reflect on the many layers of cultural identity that define Mesilla and Las Cruces.

Founded in 1981, the Potters’ Guild of Las Cruces was born from a small group of southern New Mexico artists. At the time, there was little support for selling pottery or promoting ceramic arts. This motivated and creative core group built a ceramics community from the ground up. Many members have remained active and proud supporters of the Guild for more than a decade, reflecting the diverse talents of the local community.

Guild members include Native American artists, local families with deep roots in Las Cruces, recent retirees from across the country and students just beginning to explore the ceramic arts. Today, the Guild continues to showcase clay as a powerful medium of artistic expression.

The Branigan Cultural Center is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. There is no admission charge. The museum is accessible from Roadrunner Transit Route 1, Stop 1. For more information, visit the Las Cruces Museums website or call (575) 541-2154.