New Mexico Museum of Art announces Christian Waguespack as Head of Curatorial Affairs

March 15th, 2023

The New Mexico Museum of Art (NMMOA) is pleased to announce that it has named Christian Waguespack as its new Head of Curatorial Affairs. Waguespack has served as Curator of 20th Century Art at NMMOA since 2017, where he has organized over twenty exhibitions and has lectured widely on various aspects of New Mexican art history across the country.  

 In recent years, Waguespack has curated popular exhibitions for the museum that include A Fiery Light: Will Shuster’s New Mexico, Storytellers: Narrative Art and the West, Western Eyes: 20th Century Art Here and Now, and The Nature of Glass. His versatility and depth as a curator is evident in upcoming projects such as With the Grain, a significant survey of Patrocinio Barela and the tradition of Northern New Mexico woodcarving. 

 “Christian Waguespack has proven himself time and time again to be an invaluable member of the staff at the New Mexico Museum of Art. In his new role, Christian will distinguish himself further as an important voice in the cultural community,” says Dr. Mark White, executive director of NMMOA. 

 Waguespack holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Arts in Museum Studies and Art History with a Minor in Arts Administration from the University of New Mexico. He has also served as adjunct faculty in the Department of Museum Studies and Arts Leadership + Business graduate and undergraduate programs at the University of New Mexico since 2021, teaching courses on gallery and museum management, and museum methods.  

 Before he joined NMMOA, Waguespack curated exhibitions for the University of New Mexico Art Museum, the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, the Center for Creative Photography, and Phoenix Art Museum in Arizona.  

 About The New Mexico Museum of Art    

The New Mexico Museum of Art is a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Programs and exhibits are supported by the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and its donors. The mission of the Museum of Art is to create authentic experiences that foster a deeper understanding and enjoyment of art throughout our state. With a collection of more than 20,000 pieces of work, the museum brings the art of the world to New Mexico and the art of New Mexico to the world.