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Poetry in Paint

Bea Mandelman in Taos

Poetry in Paint

Bea Mandelman in Taos

"Creation is pure freedom" - Bea Mandelman

 

New Mexico PBS is bringing one of Taos’ great artistic stories to life in a special one-hour documentary about painter Bea Mandelman. An intimate portrait, Bea’s story is richly illustrated with a lifelong collection of artworks and personal photographs. Bea’s voice rings out through recently available private journals that she kept throughout her life and a candid, radio interview produced by Phaedra Greenwood in 1995. Her unmistakable voice, complimented with her writings, provides rare insight into Bea’s thoughts about painting and process.

Bea Mandelman Virtual Screening

Virtual screening in partnership with the Hardwood Museum in Taos.

Friday, September 18 at 7 p.m.

Bea Mandelman Virtual Screening

Virtual screening in partnership with the Hardwood Museum in Taos.

Friday, September 18 at 7 p.m.

Featured are interviews with those who knew Bea best: David Witt, Phaedra Greenwood, John Nichols, Alexandra Benjamin, and Brenda Euwer.

"Bea would say, “I am trying to come up with a new vocabulary in art.” So the question is, how to do that. But, it was a question that could not be answered in words. It could only be answered in paint." - David Witt

"There is a mystery to the artistic process and that is what she was exploring. And, that takes courage." - Phaedra Greenwood

"She was a worker, and I respect that more than anything else." - John Nichols

"She had a long life and a long life of not being recognized. She struggled with that." - Alexandra Benjamin

"She is such a strong painter for a … Here I am saying, for a woman. Why do I have to say that? It’s awful. Why, are men better?" - Brenda Euwer

The goal is to further recognize and celebrate the contribution of New Mexico’s women artists. Poetry in Paint: Bea Mandelman in Taos is produced in collaboration with the University of New Mexico Foundation, UNM’s Center for Southwest Research and the Harwood Museum.


"One should try to live in a world where one must constantly play a role in creating that world." - Bea Mandelman