More arts events around town

There’s quite a few cultural events planned in and around El Paso for the next several weeks. Here’s a sampling of some events, as well as some notices for artists and photographers. Thanks to journalism intern Stephen Bindon from El Paso Community College for his help in getting the word out.

Photo contest deadline nears
El Paso photographers are invited to participate in the Texas Photographic Society's National Competition. Interested amateur and professional photographers are welcome to submit their work by July 2 to the society. There are cash prizes available and the exhibit will tour throughout Texas for one year. There will be an artists' reception at 6 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Dougherty Art Center in Austin. Interested photographers can visit the society's Web site (www.texasphoto.org) for an entry form, or call (210) 824-4123 for additional information.

Wine tasting at the Archaeology Museum
The El Paso Museum of Archaeology will present the "Reds, Whites and Blues Music and Wine Tasting" from 5 to 8 p.m. July 5 at 4301 Transmountain Road. Riccardo Barraza from Italian Imports will provide red and white wines and The Blue Rays will perform. Admission for museum members (which includes two beverage tickets) is $5. Non-members pay $10. Information: 755-4332.

New exhibit at Susan Eisen’s Gallery
Local artists Pat Olchefski-Winston and Rhonda Dore, will have their abstract art and Locke Designs will display contemporary jewelry June 26 at The Gallery at Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry and Watches. The exhibit, titled "Abstract Art and Jewelry" will open with a reception from 6 to 8 at the space, 5857 N. Mesa, No.19. Olchefski-Winston is a self-taught mixed media artist who has worked with watercolors, acrylics, colored pencils, inks and collages for over 30 years. Rhonda Dore has been using discarded papers from her travels the last seven years to create travelogues with acrylics and stucco. This will be the first showing of jewelry for Locke Designs in El Paso which will include colored gemstones with asymetrical looks. Information: 584-0022.

Downtown coffee shop seeks artists, performers
The Percolator is looking for some interested writers, artists, musicians, and other performers to present their work at this Downtown cafe. They have a 17-seat theater with professional video set-up that can also be used for meetings and special events. The Percolator offers Internet service and serves coffee, tea, salads, sandwiches, frappes and sweets from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The Percolator is located at 217 N. Stanton, across from Wells Fargo Bank. Information: 351-4377.

Art and Sol Project returns Downtown
The El Paso Public Art Program invites the public to the return of the Art and Sol Project to Cleveland Square Park between the El Paso Museum of History and the El Paso Public Library. "Esferico Milagroso," the new sun-like sculpture by artist Roberto Salas will join the rest of the exhibition for public viewing throughout the summer. Other works will include "Aguila o Sol" by Francisco Delgado, "Corona Del Sol" by Cesar Ivan, and "The Shining Desert Sun" by Susan Klahr. For information about the Art and Sol Project contact Public Art Program Specialist Marisol Lopez at (915) 541-4257 or e-mail lopezma@elpasotexas.gov.

Celebrate Bhutan through UTEP festival
This July, UTEP will welcome the Royal Academy of Performing Arts in Bhutan for a free performance. Sixteen dancers will display folk and masked dances at 6:30 p.m. July 8 at the Don Haskins Center. The Bhutan Festival 2008 will connect El Pasoans and UTEP with Bhutanese culture through the free dance performance and through exhibits of Bhutanese artifacts at the Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts. Visit www.utep.edu/bhutanfest for more information about the Bhutan Festival 2008 and UTEP's connection to Bhutan.