The Barela Store is operated by volunteers of the nonprofit organization Friends of the TMHS.
Source: Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site
Image: Courtesy
Cover Photo Caption: Prints and cards of Rosemary McLoughlin’s artwork, including this piece “La Casa de Gatos y Caracolas” (The House of Cats & Seashells) will be available for purchase at the reception.
MESILLA – The Barela Store, a component of the newly opened Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site (TMHS) on the Mesilla Plaza, will host a reception for local artist Rosemary McLoughlin from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the store, 2340 Calle Principal. The event is free and open to the public.
The Barela Store is operated by volunteers of the nonprofit organization Friends of the TMHS. The gift shop features souvenirs, books, jewelry and textiles from around the world. Cards and prints by McLoughlin will be for sale during the reception, and visitors can meet the artist. All proceeds from the store supports the preservation and programs of the historic site.
“The kindness and generosity of Mary and Paul Taylor and their family gave me a loving home and a place in which to develop my painting,” McLoughlin said. “I’m honored to be invited to share prints of that work at The Barela Store during Love of Art Month (February).”
McLoughlin, 90, was born in Gerritsen Beach Brooklyn, New York. She became a sister of St. Catherine’s Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters in Springfield, Kentucky at age 22, taught for five years in Puerto Rico and started a K-12 art department at St. Agnes Academy in Memphis, Tennessee. McLoughlin first came to Las Cruces in January 1973 to attend New Mexico State University, where she earned an art degree in July 1977.
“The Taylor Family has had a long, beautiful friendship with Rosemary McLoughlin,” said Mary Helen Taylor Ratje, a daughter of J. Paul and Mary Daniels Taylor and an advisor to the Friends Board of Directors. “She rented a casita situated on the Taylor Compound and quickly became a very close friend of both our mother and father and subsequently all seven of the Taylor children. The family included Rosemary in Sunday dinners, holiday celebrations, weddings and any other special events. Dad added on a room to a small casita so that Rosemary could have her art studio included in her living quarters. Many of my siblings, including myself,are very honored to have Rosemary’s art adorning our walls.”
The Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site has some of McLoughlin’s pieces in its collection for visitors to see. One of Ratje’s favorite memories of Rosemary and her art is when Rosemarywould use the back of her Honda Fit as a drying spot for her pieces.
“I would go out the back of the Taylor property and see the hatch up on her Honda. I knew I could walk over and peer inside to see her newest work,” said Ratje, who is also a volunteer at The Barela Store.
The Barela Store is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, and is also open some Wednesdays, and on special occasions and holidays.
For more information, call 575-449-4193
or email thebarelastore@gmail.com.
Visit taylormesillafriends.com and rosemary-mcloughlin.com.