Cash prizes awarded to lucky winners

On Oct. 8, Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe held its third annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, and it began just like a typical Halloween story.

It was a cold, dark, and windy night at 306 S. Second St., and little ghouls and goblins gathered inside Camille’s to see if their hard work carving pumpkins would pay off.

This year, the age categories were split — 13-and-under, and 14-and-over, as well as People’s Choice. The first-place pumpkin-carving winner would take home $100; second would receive $75; third, $25; and Peoples Choice, $50.

Camille’s owner, James Rich, said events like this make Halloween an exciting holiday, full of...

On Oct. 9, the Zuni Autumn Fest kicked off its debut, spanning noon till dusk on the Old Zuni High School field at 1203 Hwy. 53. With live music, artistry, a bike-and-run, and food, the event was sponsored in part by Jamon Graphic and Printing, The Best Lemonade stand, friends, and local businesses.

Carlton Jamon, the creator of the event, told the Sun he did it “for the community” and “so they can enjoy the art and listen to good music.”

Among the audience members interviewed, all seemed to thoroughly enjoy the many sets, and no one was disappointed.

“Maybe it’s not such a good idea to have [the fest] during football season,” Jamon said of the event, which was held...

Group seeks grant; WPA art widespread in McKinley County

McKinley County Attorney Doug Decker decided several years ago that the Works Progress Administration art that hangs in the Old McKinley County Courthouse at 201 W. Hill Ave. is there to stay — as is the art in the new courthouse at the same address.

The WPA art collection that hangs in both court houses is part of what Decker says may be one of the largest WPA collections in New Mexico.

“I don’t have a lot of concrete facts on it, but I have heard that [McKinley County has] about as much WPA hanging on some of our walls as any other county in New Mexico,” Decker said. “The pieces that we have at the county are...

You don’t have to live in Gallup long to notice the important role art plays in the community. Whether it’s the monthly second-Saturday “Arts Crawl” or the frequent dances and performances outside the courthouse, there’s always art to be appreciated by locals and tourists alike.

Ira Custer is a local artist who makes silver jewelry out of his home in Gallup. He runs a business known as Custer Designs and works with other local artists, among which are members of his own family.

For Custer, working with silver has been a family affair since he began as a small child.  His father casted silver jewelry, and eventually trained his son in the art.

“I’m only going to...