Image courtesy of Bidewell Photography

New Mexico is blessed with so many overwhelmingly talented people and sometimes putting together a conceptual piece of art can take a village of these artists. While Miraculum is a show compiled from multiple photographers, models and stylists, it is all manifested and executed through the vision of the walking sculpture herself, Felicia Davis. The exhibition's name comes from the small red fruit, the miracle berry, which contains miraculin and causes taste receptors to interpret flavors to be far sweeter than normal. Felicia hopes to alter the receptors of viewers, making this alternate reality of photographs that much sweeter. Each image in the collection is unaltered, captured portrait-style. Stop by Strangeflock Gallery on Friday, Feb. 1 at 4:30pm for the opening reception and a meet and greet with collective of artists that contributed to this show. It is on display through Feb. 28 for all ages, though there is implied nudity in many of the images. Take in all of the magic for free.

  (Mayo Lua de Frenchie)

Image via Pixabay

There are interesting talks, which are nice enough; and then there are fascinating lectures, which are, well, imperative. The upcoming presentation, “The Gay West: From Drugstore Cowboys to Rodeo Queens,” falls squarely into the latter camp (pun only somewhat intended). Musicologist and University of Arizona assistant professor Dr. Kate Alexander, Ph.D., discusses her research on contemporary LGBTQ Country and Western dance and gay rodeo in the United States. She’s particularly interested in the American masculine ideal embodied in rodeo and cowboy culture, and the ways this ideal is being manifested and interpreted within the context of the LGBTQ space. The talk is at Keller Hall in the University of New Mexico Center for the Arts, on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 2pm. The event is free and open to all ages. (Alisa Valdes)