In early 2006, a group of volunteers, managers at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and the parks' cooperative association, the Carlsbad Caverns Guadalupe Mountains Association, began collaborating on an ambitious project. The goal was to mount a major exhibit of the park's own art collection in its visitor center. This included some major works of art, including 25 original photographic prints by Ansel Adams. Shot in the early 1930s, these prints have never before been placed on exhibit for the public. In addition, a series of paintings by noted Santa Fe modernist painter Will Shuster are included in the collection. These paintings have been in storage for the past 25 years.
The goal of the Cavern Arts Project will be to combine these historic works from the park's collection with photographs and other works of art from contemporary artists who have been inspired by the caverns.
CAP will be working with CCGMA and the National Park Service to raise funds that will be used to mount this art exhibit in the Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center in mid-2008, concurrent with the reopening of the visitor center after it is completely remodeled. In addition, there are other exciting ancillary projects in the works:
• A traveling exhibit with reproductions of major works from the main exhibit
• A documentary DVD about the exhibit and artists at Carlsbad Caverns
This project will be funded through grants, corporate sponsorship, and individual gifts. If you would like to make a donation to the Cavern Arts Project, or would like more information, please contact us at 505.995.8475, or email cavernartsproject@comcast.net. We are grateful for the support of the National Park Service, The McCune Charitable Foundation, The National Speleological Society, and the PNM Resources Foundation, a subsidiary of the Public Utility Company of New Mexico.
The Cavern Arts Project is presented in
partnership with the Carlsbad Caverns Guadalupe Mountains
Association and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
