The Great Bear Hunt
Priority Deadline: May 1, 2002 In 2003, from Easter through October, the Ruidoso Arts Commission will host a public art extravaganza to raise funds for a cultural arts center in Ruidoso. Artists of all sorts will be commissioned to paint, re-engineer, and otherwise aesthetically enhance a number of life-sized bear sculptures. These artworks will be put on public display at prominent locations throughout Lincoln County and Mescalero. At the end of the exhibition, the bears will be sold at auction.

Approved submissions will be compiled into a Great Bear Hunt portfolio. Sponsors - businesses, individuals, organizations, and other groups - will select the design(s) they like best. Sponsored artists will receive a $500 honorarium, plus 10% of the bear's auction price.

For prospectus, contact Ruidoso Arts Coordinator Mary Lea Lane at 378-4302. Artists who may have a collector who is interested in sponsoring their work, or artists who are interested in sponsoring themselves, should contact project coordinators Frank and Elizabeth Amigo at 336-7469.

Zozo Zidewalks
Deadline: 12 noon, May 4, 2002. Artists of all ages are invited to create sidewalk art on historic 12th Street and other areas in Carrizozo. Cash Awards! Rules for Entry: All work to be considered shall be completed no later than noon, May 4, 2002, and begun no earlier than May 2nd, 2002. All entrants must check in with Korene Walker at Antique Liquidators, 415 12th St., 648-3007. This is very important! Here you will select an area, obtain chalk (or bring your own). Also be aware that some businesses will be awarding payments or gift certificates in addition to the main prizes; Korene will have that information. No requirements as to subject except that the work shall be in good taste, and shall be signed by the artist.

SSA Writer's Contest
Deadline: May 31, 2002. The Society of Southwestern Authors 2002 Writing Contest is underway - with the winners to receive the largest prizes ever offered by the SSA. The contest comprises three categories - memoir/essay, poetry, and short story. The winners in each category will receive $1,000, with second place to receive $200 and third place, $100. Barnes & Noble Booksellers is sponsoring the contest. For more information, write to [email protected] or see www.azstar.com/nonprofit/ssa.

UFOs Go Postal
Deadline: June 1, 2002 postmark. Roswell Museum & Art Center is sponsoring a UFO Mail Art Exhibit. Create an item of mailable art on the theme of UFOs and send it through the mail (hand delivery is not allowed) to: UFO Mail Art, c/o Roswell Museum & Art Center, 100 W. 11th Street, Roswell, NM 88201. Works may include collage, printing, drawing, painting, mixed-media, secret messages, pop-up features, and dimensionality. You must figure out and abide by U.S. Postal Service guidelines. Mail art will be exhibited June 28 - October 6, 2002, in conjunction with the 55th anniversary of an alleged UFO crash near Roswell in July of 1947. Awards will be made to honor the finest works submitted; works will be evaluated and selected in terms of creativity, originality, quality, suitability, available space, and how well the work explores the theme. All entries become the property of the Roswell Museum. All works must bear a return address complete with the artist's name. Questions? Call 624-6744.

Blooming in June
Deadline: June 1, 2002 The First Presbyterian Church Women's Organization invites you to participate in the 2002 "Blooming in June" Arts & Crafts Fair to be held Saturday, June 29, from 9am to 4pm at the First Presbyterian Church (101 S. Sutton Dr.) in Ruidoso. The fair is the main fund raiser for PWO, a non-profit organization, and booth rental proceeds go toward church furniture and building funds.Booth fees are $20 for a 4' x 4' and $25 for a 8' x 4', plus $5 for an electrical connection. For an entry form, contact Linda Field at 257-2220 or [email protected]