ABQ Times

The College of Fine Arts at The University of New Mexico recently recognized five graduates with Distinguished Alumni Awards for achieving outstanding success and making significant contributions to their fields. These alumni have demonstrated excellence, creativity, and innovation in areas such as visual arts, performing arts, music, design, or other artistic disciplines.

The 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients include Jaune Quick-to-See Smith from the Department of Art; Brian Levant from the Department of Film & Digital Arts; Col. Jim Keene from the Department of Music; Marisol Encinias for Dance; and Andrea Fellows Fineberg for Theater from the Department of Theatre & Dance.

Jaune Quick-To-See Smith earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1980. She is a citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation and describes herself as a cultural arts worker who uses humor and satire to examine myths, stereotypes, and the paradoxes of American Indian life in contrast to consumerism in American society. Smith's work is grounded in her strong traditional beliefs and political activism. She was the first Native American to have a solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art, titled "Memory Map," which is currently traveling across the U.S.

Smith has organized and curated over 30 Native exhibitions during her career spanning more than four decades. Her work is part of collections worldwide including at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Whitney Museum in New York.

Col. Jim R. Keene received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1988. He has led thousands of performances including for six U.S. presidents. His recent achievements include earning a New York Emmy Award for "Songs of Service" and a Grammy Award for Best Immersive Album in 2022 as conductor of the United States Army Field Band.

Keene's roles included leader positions within various U.S. Army bands including Pershing's Own as director of the Army Chorus. He has conducted notable orchestras such as The Detroit Symphony and The Boston Pops.

Brian Levant obtained his Bachelor of University Studies degree in 1974. Levant has been involved with some major family entertainment franchises since the late 1970s, lecturing at UNM regularly. His television credits include "Happy Days" and "Mork & Mindy." As a film director, his works include "Beethoven," "The Flintstones," "Jingle All The Way," "Are We There Yet?" with Ice Cube, and "The Spy Next Door."

Marisol Encinias earned both her Bachelor’s (2008) and Master’s (2012) degrees at UNM. A fourth-generation flamenco dancer, she began studying dance at age five under her grandmother Clarita Garcia de Aranda. Encinias teaches dance at UNM while serving as executive director of the National Institute of Flamenco (NIF), founded by her mother Eva Encinias.

Andrea Fellows Fineberg completed her Bachelor’s degree in 1990. She has worked with Santa Fe Opera for over three decades where she serves as director of community engagement since 1993. Fineberg also co-hosts an award-winning podcast “Key Change” and has collaborated on several librettos including “Trinity” with John Kennedy.

“It is time to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the alumni,” said Harris Smith, dean of UNM Fine Arts.” These Distinguished Alumni represent our diverse pool of students.”

Nominations for next year's awards will open again in Fall 2024 with a deadline set for February 1, 2025.