Supporting Art Educators, Supporting Students
Art educators play an essential role in helping students develop creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and visual communication skills. Through the study of artistic techniques, materials, histories, and cultural perspectives, students gain tools to better understand themselves and the world around them. Art classrooms also provide spaces for exploration, experimentation, and personal expression, where imagination and curiosity can thrive.
University Art at Eastern New Mexico University recognizes and celebrates the contributions of art educators by providing opportunities to share their creative work, professional accomplishments, and educational impact. Through exhibitions and recognition programs, University Art seeks to support those who inspire the next generation of artists, designers, and creative thinkers.
Art educators are invited to participate in three signature opportunities: the Art Educator Hall of Honors, the ENMU Faculty Exhibition, and the Art Educator Exhibition. Information about each opportunity is provided below.
Art Educators Hall of Honors
The ENMU Art Educators Hall of Honors acknowledges and celebrates outstanding art educators who have significantly contributed to art education, inspiring students and fostering a supportive community focused on knowledge, exploration, creativity, and self-confidence.
Art Educator Hall of Honors Nomination Form
Important Exhibition Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday, Sept. 3, 2027 | Submission deadline |
| Friday, Sept. 17, 2027 | A notification of acceptance will be sent |
| Fall 2027 | TBD | Public reception and awards ceremony |
To be considered for induction into the ENMU Art Educators Hall of Honors, candidates must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Demonstrated Leadership: Actively participates in efforts to enrich and diversify the educational landscape.
- Demonstrated Artistic or Scholarly Work: Has a proven track record of artistic and/or scholarly achievements that contributed to advancing the field of art education at the local, state, or national level.
- Mentorship: Motivated and inspired others, including students, colleagues, community members, or members of the teaching profession. Positively influenced students with personal attention and care, even beyond the classroom.
- Commitment to Equity: Has vigorously supported endeavors that positively impact marginalized communities
The ideal candidate, living or deceased, will hold a degree in art and be an active or retired art educator who has taught K-12 or higher education for 5 or more years.
We will induct three honorees every three years.
Please enclose the following supporting materials with your nomination:
- At least one-page nomination statement.
- At least three one-page letters of support.
- Resume or curriculum vitae (preferred); if such a document is not available, a summary of the nominee's professional experiences.
Selection of Inductees
A selection committee will review all applicants. Inductees to the ENMU Art Educator Hall of Honors will be sent an acceptance letter.
ENMU Faculty Exhibition
Eligibility
Any ENMU-System faculty member, full-time, part-time, or retired, can enter the ENMU Faculty Exhibition. Preference will be given to faculty members who teach studio art, graphic design, or art history.
Number of Submissions Permitted
Artists may submit up to three pieces of art.
ENMU-System Faculty Exhibition Entry Form
Important Exhibition Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 | Submission deadline |
| Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 | An email notification of acceptance will be sent |
| Friday, Sept. 19, 2025 | Artwork is to be received by the gallery by 5 p.m. |
| Monday, Sept. 29, 2025 | The exhibition is open to the public |
| Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, 3-5 p.m. | Panel discussion and public reception |
| Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 | The exhibition closes to the public |
Media, Size, and Theme/Subject Matter Restrictions
All media types are welcome. Artwork must be original, completed within three years of the entry deadline, and not previously shown at the Runnels Gallery.
Artwork must be stable and capable of fitting through a standard doorway. Artwork that requires suspension from the ceiling, water, perishable food, or electricity is prohibited.
There is no set theme to this exhibition. The gallery supports free artistic expression. However, content limitations include defamation, fighting words, hate speech, obscenity, and material that presents a "clear and present danger." Artwork that presents one or more of these areas will not be accepted.
How to Submit Work to the Exhibition
Artists must submit their work for this exhibition using the gallery's online submission form. A separate online submission form must be submitted for each piece of work submitted. In addition to the standard biographical information, the following information must be included:
- Title of piece
- Media type
- Sales price (if for sale)
- Unframed dimensions (inches only)
- 50 to 75-word artist statement describing or explaining the concept, the process, materials used, the goal of the project, etc.
- Photograph of the work being submitted (JPEG files only)
Consider the following recommendations to best capture an art piece in a photograph:
- Artwork should be properly lit. Lighting that is too bright or too dark can negatively affect colors, diminish or hide detail, and may create the inability to clearly and accurately see the work. When lighting artwork, glare can be avoided by removing glass or other protective elements in front of the artwork. Adjusting the angle of the artwork, camera or light source can also reduce glare. Avoid using lights that emit yellow or blue tones.
- Artwork should be level and positioned in the center of the photograph.
- Photographs should be focused properly.
- Adjust the camera's image quality setting to "fine" or the highest resolution possible.
- File format must be JPEG.
- Two-dimensional works must be photographed without matting and framing.
- Three-dimensional works must be photographed using a neutral background and stable surface. Consider using a lightbox to photograph three-dimensional work.
- See the How to Photograph Your Artwork instructional sheet.
Acceptance into the Exhibition and Delivery of Work
- Acceptance into the exhibition is based on the availability of space and order of submission. Preference will be given to:
- First tier: full-time faculty members who teach studio art, graphic design, or art history.
- Second tier: Retired faculty members who taught studio art, graphic design, or art history.
- Third tier: Part-time faculty members who teach studio art, graphic design, or art history.
- Fourth tier: All other faculty members
- All artists will be notified about their acceptance by email.
- Artwork chosen for inclusion in the exhibition must be delivered to the Runnels Gallery by the required delivery date and must be finished (ready for presentation). Artwork can be delivered by appointment only or shipped to the gallery.
- The Gallery reserves the right to refuse any unfinished work or those delivered after the deadline.
- Accepted pieces must remain on display until the exhibition closes and be claimed within 30 days after the exhibition's conclusion.
- If artwork is unclaimed, it will become the property of Eastern New Mexico University.
- Artists are solely responsible for the delivery and retrieval of their work. The artist's name, title of the work, medium, and price information must be secured to the back of the work and must be legible (type is preferred).
Presentation Ready Suggestions
All work must be finished at the time of delivery. Suggested presentation standards include:
-
-
- Submitted Two-Dimensional Work
- Work should be matted or attached to a display board. Suggested matte/display board colors are white, black, charcoal, or gray.
- Paintings with large wooden stretchers and painted canvas overlap do not require framing.
- Dry mounting to foam/gatorboard with imagery flush (bleed off) to all four edges acceptable.
- Submitted Three-Dimensional Work
- Work must be stable.
- Work requiring special/custom stands for presentation must be provided by the artist at the time of delivery
- Submitted Two-Dimensional Work
-
Art Educators Exhibition
Eligibility
Any active or retired public or private school art teacher, or any individual who offers private art lessons, can enter the exhibition.
Entry Fee and Number of Submissions Permitted
Entry fees are not collected for this exhibition. Artists may submit only one piece of art.
New Mexico and West Texas Art Educator Exhibition Entry Form
Important Exhibition Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday, Sept 3, 2027 | Submission deadline |
| Friday, Sept 17, 2027 | An email notification of acceptance will be sent |
| Fall 2027 | TBD | Artwork is to be received by the gallery by 5 p.m. |
| Fall 2027 | TBD | The exhibition is open to the public |
| Fall 2027 | TBD | Public reception |
| Fall 2027 | TBD | The exhibition closes to the public |
Media, Size, and Theme/Subject Matter Restrictions
All media types are welcome. Artwork must be original, completed within three years of the entry deadline, and not previously shown at the Runnels Gallery.
Artwork must be stable and fit fitting through a standard doorway. Artwork that requires suspension from the ceiling, water, perishable food, or electricity is prohibited.
There is no set theme to this exhibition. The gallery supports free artistic expression. However, content limitations include defamation, fighting words, hate speech, obscenity, and material that presents a "clear and present danger." Artwork that presents one or more of these areas will not be accepted.
How to Submit Work to the Exhibition
Artists must submit their work for this exhibition using the gallery’s online submission form. In addition to the standard biographical information, the following information must be included:
-
-
- Title of piece
- Media type
- Sales price (if for sale)
- Unframed dimensions (inches only)
- 50 to 75-word artist statement describing or explaining the concept, the process, materials used, the goal of the project, etc.
- Photograph of the work being submitted (JPEG files only)
-
Consider the following recommendations to best capture an art piece in a photograph:
-
-
- Artwork should be properly lit. Lighting that is too bright or too dark can negatively affect colors, diminish or hide detail, and may create the inability to clearly and accurately see the work. To avoid glare, remove glass or other protective elements in front of the artwork. Adjusting the angle of the artwork, camera or light source can also reduce glare. Avoid using lights that emit yellow or blue tones.
- Artwork should be level and positioned in the center of the photograph.
- Photographs should be focused properly.
- Adjust the camera's image quality setting to "fine" or the highest resolution possible.
- File format must be JPEG.
- Two-dimensional works must be photographed without matting and framing.
- Three-dimensional works must be photographed using a neutral background and stable surface. Consider using a lightbox to photograph three-dimensional work.
- See the How to Photograph Your Artwork instructional sheet.
-
Acceptance into the Exhibition and Delivery of Work
-
-
- Acceptance into the exhibition is based on the availability of space and order of submission.
- All artists will be notified about their acceptance by email.
- Artwork chosen for inclusion in the exhibition must be delivered to the Runnels Gallery by the required delivery date and must be finished (ready for presentation). Artwork can be delivered by appointment only or shipped to the gallery.
- The Gallery reserves the right to refuse any unfinished work or work delivered after the deadline.
- Accepted pieces must remain on display until the exhibition closes and be claimed within 30 days after the exhibition's conclusion.
- If artwork is unclaimed, it will become the property of Eastern New Mexico University.
- Artists are solely responsible for the delivery and retrieval of their work. The artist's name, title of the work, medium, and price information must be secured to the back of the work and must be legible (type is preferred).
-
Presentation Ready Suggestions
All work must be finished at the time of delivery. Suggested presentation standards include:
-
-
- Submitted Two-Dimensional Work
- Work should be matted or attached to a display board. Suggested matte/display board colors are white, black, charcoal, or gray.
- Paintings with large wooden stretchers and painted canvas overlap do not require framing.
- Dry mounting to foam/gatorboard with imagery flush (bleed off) to all four edges is acceptable.
- Submitted Three-Dimensional Work
- Work must be stable.
- Work requiring special/custom stands for presentation must be provided by the artist at the time of delivery
- Submitted Two-Dimensional Work
-
