Mission Statement: To support artistic and cultural diversity through community partnerships and to provide educational, artistic and cultural opportunities to all Sierra County residents.
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
Pat Swan, President
Pat recently moved to Truth or Consequences from California. She had a career in Event Planning. She immediately took on roles of leadership in the Arts Council, including organizing major events.
Stacy Blum-Hay, Vice President
Stacy Blum-Hay grew up in a military family whose multiple transfers exposed her to the cultures of Portugal and Iran, as well as many United States posts. Moving had the advantage of exposing her to widely varying cultures and aesthetic identities.
After graduating with a BA degree in Art, she spent over 20 years coordinating and facilitating the Arts in Corrections program at a California State Prison, while raising a family and pursuing her own art-making explorations.
Stacy moved to Truth or Consequences with her artist partner, Otto Rigan -locally known for his sculpture, Genesis, at Spaceport’s entry- four years ago.
Since then, they have been renovating the town’s original lumberyard into their home and studios.
Since 2023, she has been an active board member of the Sierra Arts County Council and a founding member of the annual Artists of Sierra County Studio Tour. Another important goal of hers is helping Truth or Consequences obtain an Arts and Culture District official designation through the Main Street Organization.
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.
Mario Portillo, Treasurer
As a long-time resident of Truth or Consequences Mario has done many things. He has owned and operated a successful restaurant. And he’s a talented musician, playing the guitar and singing. Mario is a CPA which makes him a perfect fit as the organization’s treasurer.
Sid Bryan, Board member
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.
Sid has also headed up a successful real estate business in Truth or Consequences and in other locations for many years.
Cydney Wilkes, Board member
Cydney is a co-owner of Rocket Inn in Truth or Consequences. She also has a background as an expressive dance performer. Cydney is also known for her expertise as a Cranio-Sacral therapy practitioner.
Connie Forstrom, Board member
Connie moved to Truth or Consequences three years ago.
Anna Haddal, Board member
Anna Haddal is a physician who retired from medicine after a 25-year career as an academic clinician and teacher in the subspecialty of pediatric endocrinology. She has made New Mexico her home and seeks to work as an active member of the community.
She believes that art and medicine share healing powers of empathy, creativity and diversity. She has always valued creativity and delights in seeing others discover their creative
process.
She has been actively engaged with the local theater. Two theater productions, “WHERE’S MAMA?” and “A DAY IN THE LIFE,” both of which she directed and acted in, were presented at Rio Bravo Gallery.
These plays, written by her colleague, Professor Ron Rosenfeld, MD, a renowned doctor, scientist and playwright, were results of their ongoing collaboration. She does not consider herself to be an artist, but occasionally paints and writes poetry to express herself.
Currently, her artistic efforts are focused on restoration of theater in our community, to bring education, joy, bonding, and the open sharing of ideas.
Paul Maier, Board member
Paul has a long history of organizing and producing music and performance arts events. He is a leader of the local audio/visual organization TorCAVA. As a member of this group, Paul has further developed a career as a DJ. His experience as an events producer ranges from trade shows to a Sock Hop at the local brewery.
Allyson Hayes, Board member
Allyson Hayes is a long-time resident of Cuchillo where she also has her jewelry studio. Allyson is a noted silversmith, displaying her artwork at many art festivals in the region. She is also creates steel sculpture. Allyson specializes in grant writing.
Shennoah Bree, Board member
Shennoah Bree moved to Truth or Consequences three years ago. Her background includes being a costumer and makeup artist. Shennoah spent over 10 years in Cleveland, OH in the arts scene providing support for artists as well as curating and installing art exhibitions.
Shennoah is a manager at Ingo’s Art Cafe in downtown Truth or Consequences.
Lorie LaTulippe, Board member
LORIE the NOMAD
Lorie LaTulippe (aka Lorie the Nomad) is an experimental artist who focuses on brilliant colors, mixed canvas mediums, and texturing & layering techniques.
Lorie is the founder of The Pilsen Art House in Chicago and currently owner of The Wild Side Gallery in Truth or Consequences, NM.
Charlie Heck, Board member
Charlie Heck is originally from El Paso, TX. She left the desert to pursue her journalism and multimedia career in Washington, DC for almost a decade. After a few years in the Los Angeles area in digital marketing, she moved back to the southwest to freelance and pursue more rewarding ventures. She spent a few years working on various farms and ranches from 2020-2024 and began designing permaculture gardens and raising animals. She also documented younger, female farmers and ranchers in a photography series entitled Women’s Work shown throughout the El Paso area in 2021. She is currently restoring a 1920s farmhouse and its former gardens in Truth or Consequences, NM. She is documenting the process in various multimedia forms and is thrilled to have found her community amongst the arts and nature in Sierra County.