November, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
​
GOVERNOR’S MANSION HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSES and PARTY
​
(SANTA FE) The New Mexico Governor’s Mansion Foundation (NMGMF) announces its annual year-end tradition of hosting two Holiday Open Houses in December with piano music, light refreshments, and tours of the artwork and holiday decorations. The 2020 NMGMF official state ornament will also be displayed. This year the holiday events take place on December 3rd and the 10th from 1PM to 3 PM. These free events are open to the public; (children are welcome)no reservation necessary.
​
Docents will be present to discuss historical information about the three official governors’ residences over the centuries, land acquisition, décor, renovations and artwork. Holiday ornaments commissioned by the Foundation commemorating the history and culture of New Mexico are on display at the mansion and are available for purchase at the Foundation website: www.NewMexicoGovernorsMansion.org.
​
The mansion is located north of the plaza, west off Bishop’s Lodge Road at One Mansion Drive. Reservations are required for special tours, and those special arrangements during other days and times may be arranged in advance depending on availability. Please contact us at info@newmexicogovernorsmansion.org for specific scheduling information.
​
Contact: NMGMF head docent Douglas Beck at dbecksf@comcast.net or at 505-983-2697 for additional information.
​
​
​
New Mexico Governor’s Mansion Foundation & New Mexico Film Office
2020 State Ornament Design Contest
September 7, 2019 at 5 PM at the New Mexico Governor’s Mansion.
New Mexico Films the Great American West
​
New Mexico has a proud history connected to the land— agriculture, livestock and the breath-taking beauty of the Land of Enchantment’s natural terrain, all play roles in the ranching and farming industries that helped to build the state into what it is today. Additionally, the state is world- renowned for its film industry, which dates back to 1898, when Thomas Alva Edison produced a short film entitled “Indian Day School” shot at Isleta Pueblo. From these humble beginnings, New Mexico has achieved great success positioning itself as one of the top places to produce western-themed films, with the state’s natural beauty also used as a stand-in for many other states. Some of the well-known films with Western themes include: “The Cheyenne Social Club” (1970), “The Cowboys” (1972), “Silverado” (1985), “3:10 to Yuma” (2007), “True Grit” (2010) and “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” (2018).
​
To depict these essential strands of state history, The New Mexico Governor’s Mansion Foundation partnered with the New Mexico Film Office to produce an ornament design contest that would promote the state’s history of film production and ranch culture. Along with the backing of the Office of the Governor and the Economic Development Department, the contest was fashioned using the theme “New Mexico Films the Great American West.” Of the many wonderful designs submitted, the top five were awarded educational grant funding. The winning design was created by Carrie Dada.
​
 Scholarship finalists Left to right Cheyenne Garcia Leslie Bello Garcia LeRoy Grafe Todd Christensen, Director, NM Film Office Carrie Dada Robert Cantu |  Pictured contest judges Marc Comstock and Brenden Fehr and their wives Credit JC Ramirez |  Photo credit JC Ramirez Pictured: stars of CW show "Roswell" Jeanine Mason and Nathan Parson |
|---|---|---|
 MC Tony Martinez (Silverhorn Media) Eric Streeper (Xerb TV) Carrie Dada LeRoy Grafe Leslie Bello Garcia Alicia J. Keyes, Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Robert Cantu Todd Christensen, Director, State Film Office Jaima Chevalier, Event Co-Chair |