Two recent awards underscore the vital relationship between New Mexico's state museums and the public, and highlight ways in which the museums work to foster that relationship.

Aurelia Gomez, director of education at the Museum of International Folk Art, has been named 2011 Museum Educator of the Year by the New Mexico Art Education Association. The award recognizes Gomez for her "inspiring work" and "inclusive programming style" in coordinating the museum's outreach programs.

Since joining the institution in 1995, Gomez has introduced thousands of New Mexico children and adults to cultural traditions worldwide, through such programs as the annual Arts Alive!, Day of the Dead and Winter Celebration.

In addition, every year she and her staff educate and entertain more than 4,000 students about folk art when they visit schools in the museum's Folk Art to Go program.


The Palace of the Governors Photo Archives was honored by the New Mexico Association of Museums, which presented the photo archives with its 2011 Edgar L. Hewett Award for Excellence. With a collection of some 800,000 photographs and related items dating from 1843 to 2011, the archives is a "rich and tenured resource in our state that promotes preservation and scholarship," noted New Mexico Association of Museums President Laurie Rufe, who serves as director of the Roswell Museum and Art Center.

"The staff of the Photo Archives has worked diligently to make the state's visual record readily available to people in any part of the state and even the world," said New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors Director Frances Levine. To inquire about donating historical or contemporary photographs, contact
archivist Daniel Kosharek at 476-5092
or daniel.kosharek@state.nm.us.


New Mexico State Police Maj. Joseph Daniel Lovato was recently presented a Patriotic Employer Award from the New Mexico Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The award recognizes employers who provide exceptional support for employees who serve in the National Guard and other military reserves. Lovato was nominated by Second Lt. Nicholas Levine, who said he is "very appreciative" of Lovato's support.


The Santa Fe Police Department was honored with a Certificate in Recognition of Exemplary Support of Guard and Reserve Employees. Carmen Rodriguez, chair of the Committee for Employer Support, presented the award. The department was also nominated for the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the U.S. Department of Defense's highest award for employer support of employees serving in the National Guard or reserves.

If you have news about a public employee, contact Fauntleroy at gussie7@fairpoint.net