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Original Pinos Altos NM Hearst Church Painting

Currency:USD Category:Art / General - Original Works Start Price:40.00 USD Estimated At:80.00 - 150.00 USD
Original Pinos Altos NM Hearst Church Painting
Original 1988 Framed Pinos Altos NM Hearst Church Painting by Margo O'Hara, on canvas, visual measures 15.75'' x 19.5'', overall framed measurement of 22.5'' x 26.75'', signed by the artist, according to the consignor, her paintings are in the White House as well as the Smithsonian FYI: ''Besides being a wonderful historic building in a quant and scenic western town, the structure has served as the heart of a very active arts community since 1968. History and art are combined in the setting of the Gold Avenue Methodist-Episcopal Church, known locally as the ''Hearst Church''. The adobe church is home to the Grant County Art Guild (GCAG). During the summer months, the church is transformed into an art gallery, featuring arts and crafts created by about 50 local artists. Featured in many ''ghost town'' books, the Hearst Church is a popular stopping place for tourists. It was dedicated on May 18, 1898. The building construction was financed by contributions from Pinos Altos residents, along with a sizable donation from Mrs. Phoebe Hearst. Mrs. Hearst was the widow of U. S. Senator George Hearst of California. Her son was newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. Prior to going to California, Senator George Hearst was successful in the mining industry in Pinos Altos. Out of gratitude for the wealth which the Hearsts derived from the Pinos Altos mines, Mrs. Hearst contributed generously to the church building, with the stipulation that the church contain a reading room for use by the miners. This was accomplished by using curtains to separate the reading room from the sanctuary. Of particular interest are the stained glass windows, the high wooden ceiling and the beam construction. On exhibit is an antique glass-sided hearse, used in Las Cruces from 1902 to 1912. It is said to have been used at the funeral of Pat Garrett, the sheriff who shot Billy the Kid. This structure is a contributing property to the Pinos Altos Historic District, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.''