Three Diné Artists Working on Public Art Projects for McKinley County’s Courthouse

April 22nd, 2024

Gallup, NM – Monty Claw, Jerry Brown and Tim Washburn, three Diné artists from McKinley County, have begun work on art that will be installed toward the end of the year and in early 2025 inside the McKinley County Courthouse rotunda in downtown Gallup. The project is created in partnership with McKinley County, gallupARTS and New Mexico Arts Art in Public Places Program (NMA AIPP). McKinley County leveraged “1% for the arts” funding for the artworks.

Sculptor Tim Washburn is creating a wood-carved sculpture entitled “Eagle Dancer,” which will be mounted on a stone-sculpted base. The work will be placed in the center of the rotunda’s two-story windows and is in honor of the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial, an important, long-running community event.

“I am grateful to be part of the elite group of artists selected for this project,” said Washburn. “I am excited for the challenge of creating a large-scale sculpture.”

Jerry Brown is a contemporary painter who is creating a series of large-scale, abstract canvases to hang along the second-floor overlook. These canvases will depict the night sky and will be arranged in a pattern that evokes a paned window. Brown feels excited about showcasing his work alongside other McKinley artists.

“I am excited to be installing art that is meaningful to me,” said Brown. “I feel like it will represent all people of the county.”

Painter and silversmith Monty Claw is working on three mural-sized paintings to hang in the alcoves surrounding the southern half of the rotunda with scenes representing McKinley County’s rich cultural history and people.

“This project is like a homecoming to me and my art,” said Claw. “This is my first art project with my hometown and community. It’s great to finally create such beautiful works for my community. I’m proud of that.”

McKinley County and NMA AIPP opened a call for artists in February 2023 to submit works that “capture the culture and celebrate the diversity and pride of living in McKinley County.” Brown, Claw, and Washburn were chosen from a pool of more than 40 applicants. Their works are part of one of the county’s largest-ever public art projects.

About New Mexico Arts New Mexico Arts is the state arts agency and a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. New Mexico Arts administers the state’s One Percent for Public Art program, awards grants to nonprofit organizations for arts and cultural programs in their communities across the state, and provides technical assistance and educational opportunities for organizations, artists, and arts educators throughout New Mexico. For more information about the Art in Public Places program visit https://www.nmarts.org/art-in-public-places/.