by Birdie Jaworski
The dip between the cut monolith of Hermit’s Peak drips with moisture this time of year, the ground swollen with melted snow, mist clinging to each budding leaf each time clouds gather around the hermit’s cave. The mountain feels alive. Pine trees burst skyward with new growth. Tiny yellow and purple flowers dot sunny secret corners protected from …

by Birdie Jaworski

Martin Jencka (left) and Lucas Cudia get their faces painted at Synergy Fest.

A blast of high-energy live music signaled the start of the annual Synergy Fest, a celebration of renewable energy, sustainable culture, music, and learning held at Melody Park this past weekend. Organizers began the arduous task of festival set-up Friday morning by installing hundreds of feet …

by Birdie Jaworski
Small sculpted pieces of glazed ceramic hover over a collection of roughly textured prayer bowls. They seem to dance around each other, a gentle swarm of abstract butterflies, as they carry each bowl’s intentions toward heaven. Jasmine Morris’ B.F.A show at the Ray Drew Gallery, “Manifestations of Personal Mythology,” is full of such moments; spiritually uplifting, whimsical, eclectic, …

by Birdie Jaworski
Demogorgon’s music hits the listener’s ears with a surprising mix of melodic electric guitar arpeggios accented by driving drum riffs and a lead singer’s deliberatly muffled lyrics. The result is music that haunts, teases, offers a glimpse of the dark powers latent in each of us. Demogorgon will play Friday evening as part of this weekend’s Synergy Fest …

by Birdie Jaworski

A ceramic buddha laughs, his skin the hue of weathered copper. He holds a twist of prayer beads below an expanded belly, tiny legs folded on a vibrant purple lotus bud. The careful work of NMHU art student Mc Kaila Dorman, the sculpture is on display through May 1 as part of the semiannual Student Art Show at …

by Birdie Jaworski
A row of wooden-framed local landscapes graces a freshly painted wall facing the friendly tellers of Community 1st Bank. In one, Hermit’s Peak rises from a richly shadowed forest, two startled elk below the rugged monolith. In another, Immaculate Conception Church faces Carnegie Park, budding limbs from an unseen tree bowed in spiritual submission. Artist Isabel Benavidez paints …

by Birdie Jaworski
Las Vegas resident Kathy Ulibarri remembers the flash of wing that caught her attention late last summer, remembers capturing heat lightning in the kitchen of her Chavez Street home.
"I thought it was a large bumblebee at first. It was buzzing against the window, trying to get out. When I approached it, I realized it was a hummingbird. He …