Contact: Eva Gabriella Flynn,
Education and Outreach Coordinator, NMSU Art Museum, artmuseum@nmsu.edu, 575-646-2185
English | Espanol
Shirley Crow: On the Edge
Exhibition Dates:
October 16 2026 - July 17 2027
Las Cruces, NM–
The University Art Museum (UAM) is pleased to present On the Edge, an exhibition that traces the trajectory of Shirley Crow’s career, exploring an artistic practice grounded in a lasting sense of wonder about the mysteries of the universe. Spanning nearly fifty years, and including pastel, ink, graphite, and oil, Crow’s work invites viewers to experience her intuitive visual language informed by the magic of creativity and an ongoing questioning of our existence.
Crow grew up in a rural agricultural community in Missouri in the 1950’s where she was raised primarily by her maternal grandmother. She felt drawn to art from an early age and went on to develop her unique style while getting a bachelor's degree in art education from the University of Missouri. Crow eventually landed in northern New Mexico in the late 1990s, where she deepened her focus on our existence within the world and where she continues to live and produce today. Guided by intuition and responsiveness to the work itself, Crow allows meaning to emerge through the process of creating rather than imposing predetermined narratives onto her work. From early works to pieces made as recent as 2019, On the Edge reframes the nuances of everyday experiences, inviting viewers to move through a world constructed by shifting perspectives, layered knowledge, and evolving abstracted forms.
On the Edge was made possible by a generous donation from Crow to the UAM in 2025, including the artworks on display in this exhibition, as well as funds to support an undergraduate internship position at the UAM. The acquisition of thirteen artworks by Crow into the UAM’s permanent collection supports the institution’s ongoing effort to expand its representation of women artists from the region.
On the Edge will be on view from October 16th 2026, to July 17th 2027, in the Bunny Conlon Modern & Contemporary Art Gallery. Join us for the opening reception at the University Art Museum on Friday, October 16th, from 5:3O0 to 7:30 PM.
About the Artists:
