J. Paul Taylor Contributes to “Las Cruces Collects” Exhibition June 4, 2009

Local legend J. Paul Taylor is lending prized pieces of his extensive Southwestern art collection to the Las Cruces Museum of Art for the new exhibit “Las Cruces Collects.” On display Friday, June 5th through Saturday, August 22nd, the exhibit offers a rare look into the private art collections of area residents. Come learn the colorful tales behind these objects as well as what motivates a collector to collect.

J. Paul Taylor is known to many as a supporter of the arts, scholar, politician, and philanthropist. Due to deep roots in New Mexico, his collection reflects a passion for the multi-cultural aesthetic of the Southwest, particularly Spanish Colonial objects and Native-American art. At age five, young Mr. Taylor became enamored with Native-American art after his aunt presented him with two pottery pieces made by the Maricopa tribe in Arizona. Considering his newest acquisitions of textile art on a recent trip to Zacatecas, Mexico, Mr. Taylor could not have known that eighty years later his enthusiasm for collecting would have remained as strong as ever.

One significant item on display is an 18th century Baroque oil painting of Saint Michael, originating from Mexico. St. Michael is depicted as an angelic warrior, standing in heaven amongst cherubs, and bears the motto Quis sicut Deus?, meaning "Who is like God?" This painting is unusual in that St. Michael is typically depicted trampling Satan while slaying him with a sword.

Other objects currently on display at the Las Cruces Museum of Art include four parchment books from 17th-18th century Spain, photographs, tin folk mirrors, and Tortugas Pottery. Mr. Taylor’s favorite piece is a wooden statuette of Santiago de Compostela, a patron saint of Spain. Legend holds that Santiago’s remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain where he was buried on the site of what is now the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The cathedral was one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites during medieval times. This art object was purchased at the Catholic Center in Albuquerque on an installment plan of 5.00 per week.

Among the many honors J. Paul Taylor has received for his commitment to a lifetime of public service in New Mexico are the “Hall of Fame Award” from the Dona Ana County Historical Society, the “Governor’s Award of Honor for Historical Preservation,” and the “Governor’s Award for excellence in the Arts.” Mr. Taylor, his late wife Mary, and his seven children have bequeathed his historic family home and extensive art collection to become a State Monument.

Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 10AM – 4PM, and Saturday, 9AM – 1PM. Admission is free. Funded by the City of Las Cruces, the Las Cruces Museum of Art is located at 491 North Main Street, at the north end of the Downtown Mall. Call 541-2137, or visit http://museums.las-cruces.org, for more information on museum exhibits and Studio Program art classes