For over a century and a half, artists have captured the stunning beauty of New Mexico and its people. Artists accompanied United States military surveyors as they mapped the region in the mid- 1800s and reproductions of their paintings were featured in the government's published reports of these expeditions. In the late 1800s, artists from outside New Mexico began making pilgrimages all over the state, inspired by the splendor of the rugged landscapes. Artists from Texas, in particular, were drawn to their neighboring state because of similarities in terrain and cultures. The area around Santa Fe reminded Texas artists of areas in the Panhandle, particularly Palo Duro Canyon outside Amarillo. Artists who had painted in the Davis Mountains of West Texas were inspired by the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico. Texas artists were fascinated by the Native American culture they found in New Mexico, and the Hispanic presence in Texas was echoed in New Mexico as well.

It was an adventurous and hearty breed of artists who first made the trek to New Mexico, for travel in this area was very difficult during the early part of the twentieth century. Many roads in West Texas and New Mexico were unpaved, and there were no direct trains to either Santa Fe or Taos. Travel was limited largely to horseback or horse-drawn vehicles. The automotive age was still in its infancy, and numerous breakdowns were the order of the day when traveling by car. For these reasons, the Texas artists living closest to New Mexico probably worked there the most. Southern New Mexico drew artists from nearby El Paso, including Eugene Thurston (1896-1993), who painted New Mexico subjects for most of his seventy-year career. Thurston's The Wood Haulers (c. 1936, oil on canvas) is included in this exhibition.

While Lubbock artists often looked to eastern New Mexico artists for instruction, many turned to northern New Mexico for subjects. Outstanding among the Lubbock group was Bess Bigham Hubbard (1896-1977), a sculptor and printmaker who worked successfully in both intaglio and lithography as well as in stone and bronze. Her sculpture Crusita of Taos (1947, limestone) is on display in this exhibition. Artists from the Texas Panhandle naturally tended toward northern New Mexico. Lloyd Albright (1896-1950) of Dalhart, Texas painted extensively in Taos, taking advantage of the artists' studios available at the Harwood Foundation. Four examples of Albright's work are included in this exhibition.

In spite of the great distance involved, the Dallas art community urged its artists to work in New Mexico. Frank Reaugh (1860-1945), known as the "Dean of Texas Painters", painted all over New Mexico throughout his career. He also introduced scores of students to the state on annual sketching trips he organized. In 1911, Edward G. Eisenlohr began traveling with Reaugh on sketching expeditions. Although he maintained his permanent residence in Dallas, Eisenlohr became an important member of the Santa Fe art colony. He produced many outstanding works featuring Santa Fe subjects in oils, watercolors, drawings and lithographs. Six works by Frank Reaugh and two by Edward Eisenlohr are featured in this exhibition.

Artists from Houston, San Antonio, San Angelo and other Texas cities also found inspiration in the Land of Enchantment. Perhaps because Texans have always felt more of a Southwestern than Southern identity, Texas artists have had a long and rich history of association with our neighbor to the west. In all, some 58 works by 38 artists spanning almost fifty years are on display in this exhibition.

There will be a series of lectures, gallery talks, and receptions at the Tyler Museum of Art in conjunction with Neighbors: Texas Artists in New Mexico. The exhibition as well as the lectures, gallery talks, and receptions are all free and open to the public. The first lecture is Thursday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m. by Michael Grauer, Curator of Art at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. There will be a reception following the lecture. There will be a joint lecture by Bill Cheek, A. C. Cook, and Morris Matson on Thursday, November 20 at 6:30 p.m. Entitled "Trials, Tribulations and Triumphs of Early Texas Art Collectors", these three gentlemen will reflect on the art of collecting and showing early Texas art. A reception will follow.

"Travelers of the Mind: The Rise of the Fort Worth Circle (1940-1955)" is the title of a lecture to be delivered by Scott Grant Barker on Thursday, December 4 at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Barker is co-founder of Collectors of Fort Worth Art and a past vice-president of the Tarrant County Historical Society. There will be a reception following this lecture as well.

The Museum Café is now open Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on TMA's lower level. The menu features a light lunch with a French twist, a nod to another TMA exhibition currently on view, Edward Hopper: The Paris Years. The TMA Gift Shop features a wide variety of items perfect for upcoming holiday gifts.

The Tyler Museum of Art is proud to announce Urology Tyler as the local sponsor for Neighbors: Texas Artists in New Mexico.

There is a voluntary suggested admission charge of $3.50 for adults and $1.50 for seniors and students. Donations help support TMA programs and exhibitions.