Mark Lyman, President, The Art Fair Company, announced the Museum of New Mexico Foundation's (MNMF) continued participation in the Opening Night Preview of the third annual Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair: SOFA WEST 2011 and, new this year, Spotlight Presentation The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art in Santa Fe, NM.  Lyman said, "After the tremendous turnout of over 2,000 attendees at our second SOFA WEST Opening Night Preview last year, the Foundation plans an intimate, private preview for its highest level supporters, inviting members of The Circles and Business Council to an exclusive, early viewing of the fair called FIRST LOOK. These individuals and companies are the movers and shakers of Santa Fe and New Mexico's vibrant arts and culture scene. We are pleased to offer the Foundation a first-class art event for its most stalwart supporters, and to give them first opportunity to view and purchase."

John Easley, Executive Director, The Museum of New Mexico Foundation, says, "We anticipate that MNMF's top supporters will attend FIRST LOOK. With exciting contemporary art, SOFA WEST and Intuit are a strong draw. We look forward to working with the fair to create a festive evening for our major donors and business partners."

The third annual SOFA returns to Santa Fe with new high summer dates August 4-7.  SOFA WEST: Santa Fe is the most recent addition to the SOFA brand, joining its long-standing sister fairs in Chicago and New York. SOFA art fairs are international, gallery-presented expositions of work bridging contemporary fine art and design.  Also new this year, four days, two art fairs, 1 ticket!  Spotlight Presentation The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art shares the stage with SOFA WEST for the first time. In addition to premier contemporary art and design dealers, Intuit brings leading dealers of outsider and non-traditional folk art. One general admission ticket of $15 admits visitors to both fairs and their related lecture series and special events. SOFA WEST and the Intuit spotlight presentation open to the general public Thursday, August 4 through Sunday, August 7 at the Santa Fe Convention Center.

The Museum of New Mexico Foundation's FIRST LOOK at SOFA WEST: Santa Fe 2011 and Spotlight Presentation The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art is sponsored by Reynolds Insurance.  The event will take place Opening Night beginning at 5:00pm for MNMF guests.  SOFA WEST VIP cardholders may enter at 6:30pm.  Both previews end at 9:00pm.

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SOFA WEST: Santa Fe and Spotlight Presentation The Intuit Show of Folk and Outside Art take place at the Santa Fe Convention Center, 201 W Marcy Street, Santa Fe, NM as follows: Invitation-only Opening Night Preview Wednesday, August 3 with an event for MNMF guests from 5-9pm, and SOFA WEST VIP Cardholders from 6:30-9pm.  General admission fair hours are Thursday, August 4-Sunday, August 7 from 12 noon-6pm.  Tickets are $15 for single day general admission (admits to both fairs) and $25 for a four-day pass. Catalogs may be purchased for $15 at the exposition. Visit www.sofaexpo.com and www.outsiderfolkartfair.com  for more information.

MNMF is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to providing critical services and support to the four museums and seven historical state monuments that comprise the Museum of New Mexico, which includes: New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors, New Mexico Museum of Art, Museum of International Folk Art, and Museum of Indian Arts & Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology www.museumfoundation.org. MNMF depends on its memberships and private giving to fund the museums' programming and acquisitions.