Calendar Signing by Artist Ronald Kil and Historian Marc Simmons A Centennial Event

Join Ronald Kil, featured artist for the state's official Centennial calendar, and historian Marc Simmons, who wrote the calendar's introduction, for a special event at 2 pm on Saturday, Sept. 17, in the John Gaw Meem Room. Kil will sign copies of the calendar, present an overview of pre-1912 history and discuss his art. Simmons will speak about New Mexico's statehood era. The event is free.

The 2012 Enchanting New Mexico Calendar, published by New Mexico Magazine, celebrates New Mexico’s history through the eyes of Kil, a Western artist and cowboy. Action-packed, colorful and historically accurate scenes along the Santa Fe Trail capture the spirit of the Old West and highlight the state’s history from the time of the Paleo-Indians to statehood in 1912. Conquistadors, cowboys, Indians, soldiers, buffalo, wagon trains, longhorns, and the arrival of the railroad come vividly to life in image and text. The 12 featured paintings appear in Kil’s Santa Fe Trail mural series at the NRA Whittington Center’s Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest in Ratón.

Kil decided in his teens to pursue his dreams of becoming both a cowboy and an artist. He rode for big outfits across the West for many years, carrying a sketchbook with him. A decade ago he left the cowboy world and became a full-time artist and illustrator. His artwork has appeared in New Mexico Magazine and many other periodicals. He has also illustrated numerous books, including five juvenile titles in the University of New Mexico Press’ Children of the West series.

Simmons is an award-winning Southwestern author whose writings, lectures and research focus on New Mexico’s diverse cultural heritage. He is also recognized as an authority on the Santa Fe Trail and is past president of the Santa Fe Trail Association.

Each full-color 2012 Enchanting New Mexico Calendar is 12” x 10” and notes major holidays, Pueblo feast days, seasonal and time changes, and phases of the moon. The calendar is available for $13.95 by visiting newmexico.mybigcommerce.com or calling 1-800-711-9525. New Mexico Magazine is a division of the New Mexico Tourism Department (www.newmexico.org).