New Mexico attracts more visitors every year, but the state wants to further boost tourism and related revenue by expanding on successful programs like New Mexico True and the Cooperative Marketing Program.

New Mexico True is a brand that businesses, governments and nonprofit organizations can use by partnering with the New Mexico Tourism Department. The partnership involves demonstrating how the organization expresses or evokes the state’s distinctive landscapes, cultures, food, art or history.

The Co-Op program gives local nonprofits, municipalities and tribal governments a financial incentive to market what’s uniquely New Mexican about their event or location, and even...

‘15 Paintings in 30 days’ attracts Gallup’s best

GallupArts challenged 28 local artists to create 15 paintings in 30 days. Called 15 in 30, the challenge was an invitation to local artists to create 15 original, 2D artworks within a 30 day time frame, funded by a grant from New Mexico Arts. Opening night was Feb. 9, when area artists showcased their works, ranging from fabric and pottery to landscapes and portraits.

High school senior Bailey Pete loves the idea of displaying her portraiture. Her medium is acrylic. Pete says she works in sets of series that connect to her life. “Everything I do here is connected to me on a level of family members, friends, and those I look up...