The Sierra County Arts Council board meets at 4:30 pm on the second Wednesday of every month at Grapes Gallery, 407 Main, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901. The public is invited. If you are interested in serving as a board member please use this form to contact us.
Board Members
Cary “Jagger” Gustin, President
A founding Board Member, twenty eight years ago, Jagger helped with the incorporation papers, and has served in most board positions. His art is tailoring. He plans to open a custom tailoring shop in downtown Truth or Consequences, specializing in Western Wear.
In addition to his involvement with the Sierra County Arts Council, Jagger is a past Board Member of Sierra County Historical Society, the T or C Community Partnership, the Sierra County Economic Development Organization, Fiesta Board of Directors, and Geronimo Days Celebration Board. Currently, in addition to his position as President of SCAC, he is a member of the Truth or Consequences/Sierra County Chamber of Commerce Board, CASA board and the Film Liaison for Sierra County to the State of New Mexico Film Office.
He has resided here for fifty nine years.
Susan Buhler, Vice President
Born in San Diego, CA, Susan came to Truth or Consequences when she was two. As an adult, she worked as a flight attendant. She was based in Houston and flew for Continental Airlines for 37 years. After retiring she moved back to Truth or Consequences and turned her downtown building into a gallery and apartment. She opened an art & antiques gallery called 303 Gallery in her building on Main Street. Susan also dabbles in farming at her property in Lower Cuchillo Creek.
Rebecca Speakes, Secretary
Rebecca brings a variety of skills to the Arts Council board. Originally a freelance graphic designer and advertising production artist, for 25 years she was involved in a variety of commercial arts trades. In 1980, she blended her graphic design skills with art quilt design. Since then, she has been very involved in fiber arts, creating large and small embellished art quilts, and a home décor line of table runners, mug mats and pillows. Rebecca is also a beaded jewelry artist and a professional tarot reader.
Going back to her professional roots, Rebecca is involved with promoting Sierra County. She has designed brochures and other print media. Rebecca is Project Manager and Graphic Designer of the Arts Council’s annual Sierra County Artists Directory. She also coordinates the SCAC events emailings.
As a past president of the Sierra County Arts Council board, Rebecca brings her years of board experience to a vital and growth-oriented group.
Sid Bryan, Treasurer
Sid is dedicated to the Arts in Sierra County. He has been an art gallery owner in Truth or Consequences and has promoted many aspects of the arts through the years. Sid is a renowned art collector.
He also has headed up a successful real estate business in Truth or Consequences and in other locations for many years.
Abigail Claesson, Board member
Abigail Claesson returned to Truth or Consequences after studying Art Education and Film at the University of New Mexico. She is currently the Art Teacher at Hot Springs High School. Her goal is to bring exciting and engaging art-making opportunities to her students while emphasizing diverse artists and methods. As an artist herself, Abigail enjoys printmaking and fiber arts. Outside of the classroom, Abigail enjoys spending time outside hiking, mountain biking, and gardening.
Christine Auten, Board member
After nearly 20 years freelancing in film and commercial production, including over 10 years directing, writing and voice acting for the English language versions of foreign entertainment releases (specifically Anime), Christine went on to serve as a producer of the SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin and the executive producer for SXSW V2V in Las Vegas. In 2020, during COVID lockdown) Christine and her husband Andrew formed The United Projects Alliance, LLC to oversee their various art and media ventures, which includes their event and media production company Europa Engine and their Story and Picture project that documented their time as full-time RVers traveling around the United States.
During their RV travels (both as full-timers, and prior to that as avid road-trippers) the Autens frequently visited Truth or Consequences, logging their first visit back around 1998. When they decided it was time to move on from full-time RV life in 2022, they knew that T or C was where they wanted to lay down roots.
Dean McDougal, Board member
Dean has been living in Williamsburg for many years.
Andy Underwood, Board member
Andy’s full name is David Andrew Underwood but he prefers Andy!! He has lived in town since 1968. He has been a business man and carpenter in Sierra County for more than 35 years. His main focus has been custom homes and renovation using unique tile, plaster, and wood work. He enjoys the town, the people in the town and the surrounding areas. What a beautiful place to live!!!
Joanne Long, Board Member
Joanne moved to Truth or Consequences from Austin, TX. As an artist she specializes in colorful and ethereal paintings with a Southwestern flair. She owns a gallery and studio in downtown Truth or Consequences. She is very involved in the arts community.
Stacy Blum-Hay, Board member
Stacy grew up in a military family, which enabled her to move and experience multiple locations throughout the United States, Portugal, and Iran. Moving so often significantly impacted her life, opening her eyes to different cultures and aesthetics. After graduating from Tehran American School, she attended Humboldt State University, earning a degree in Art.
In 1987, Stacy was on the Board of Directors of the Central Sierra Arts Council and served as Vice President in 1989. She helped make executive decisions for programming, projects, budget, personnel, and the gallery.
Stacy was an Institutional Artist/Facilitator for the State of California, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Arts in Corrections program, where she directed and coordinated the arts program for Sierra Conservation Center, a State Prison, for 20 years.
In this position, she worked with contract art instructors to offer visual, literary, and performing arts workshops to incarcerated people. She supervised an art crew designing and completing art projects for the Institution and Community Beautification Program.
Stacy was a liaison between the local art community, statewide art organizations, and the prison. She was involved with California Arts Council (a State Agency), the William James Association, and the Tuolumne County Arts (previously the Central Sierra Arts Council) through this work. Stacy assisted artists in grant writing and followed the rules and regulations of the institution. She instructed visual art workshops in drawing, painting, printmaking, papermaking, and mosaic tile murals. She also coordinated numerous art shows of the participants; artworks, art auctions, and community projects.
Stacy had an art exhibition in Merced, CA, where she met sculptor Otto Rigan. Stacy and Otto have moved to Truth or Consequences and are currently renovating their building on South Foch Street to be their studios and home.
John Johanek, Board member
Originally from Wisconsin, John served as art director for several national magazines including a stint with Popular Mechanics magazine in New York before starting his own magazine design consulting firm which he ran for more than 25 years. Bored with retired life, he opened and operates ZIA Gallery in the Hot Springs Historic District of TorC. The gallery features his artwork as well as the works of about 15 local artists. He is vested in the community and is also a member of the board of the Sierra County Citizen online newspaper currently serving as board VP.