Albuquerque Journal
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The pandemic put lots of things on hold, but the National Hispanic Cultural Center pressed forward with construction of its welcome center. Now the public will have an opportunity to get a firsthand look.
The New Mexico Mutual Welcome Center sits in front of the Torreón, or watchtower, on campus and houses the fresco “Mundos de Mestizaje” by Frederico Vigil.
On Thursday, the NHCC Board of Directors voted to begin a daily tour of the Torreón beginning May 21.
The 15- to 20-minute tour will cost $2.
“With the welcome center, it’s a better way for people to access the Torreón,” said Nick Schiavo, interim NHCC director. “We wanted guided tours. The plan is to start on May 21 and if there’s a demand, we would add another time.”
According to Schiavo, the NHCC will begin to bring back volunteers and docents to campus.
Many of them will get trained on giving the tour.
Schiavo said the goal was to “have a thoughtful tour” in place for the community.
Also at the board meeting, Matt Martinez, NHCC board of directors president, announced the five members who will head the executive director search committee.
The NHCC is without a permanent leader after the resignation of Josefa Gonzalez Mariscal on April 7.
Schiavo has since been asked to lead the NHCC until a permanent replacement is found.
The committee will include Holly Barnet Sanchez, Khristaan Villela, Lou Anne Byrd and Jay Czar. Martinez will chair the committee.
The search will close on May 10.
Martinez said that the committee has met informally but that he wanted to introduce the five members officially.
State law requires the executive search committee to provide at least three names to state Cultural Affairs Secretary Debra Garcia y Griego for review. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham then will make the appointment.
The executive director job is an exempt position responsible for supervising a staff of up to 30.
Martinez said he is aiming to have the position filled by July.
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