In 1994 the International Association for the Visual Arts established the El Paso Artists’ Hall of Fame to honor artists for their accomplishments and contributions to the visual arts scene in the El Paso region. Artwork of the honorees resides in the museum collection. There is also a bronze plaque listing each member of the Hall of Fame in the Museum’s Foyer.
Susan Amstater Schwartz- 2000
Susan Amstater Schwartz received her art training at the Otis Art Institute, the University of Colorado, and the University of California at Los Angeles. A master of watercolors, Mrs. Amstater Schwartz is said to paint “what she feels, and what she feels is what determines what she paints.”
Susan Amstater Schwartz has received numerous awards for her watercolors including Best of Show in the Rio Bravo Watercolorists’ 1990 exhibition and the Award of Excellence in the Arizona Aqueous VI in Tubac, Arizona in 1991. She also designed the poster for the 1999 Santa Fe Opera, and has paintings featured in the book Desert Echo: Women Illuminate the Sacred by Jacquelyn Stroud Spier. She has had shows throughout the United States, including one person shows at the El Paso Museum of Art and the Nedra Matteuci Gallery in Santa Fe. Her works hang in collections all over the country, including the Governor’s Mansion in Austin.
Ernesto Martinez- 2001
Ernesto Pedregon Martinez, a native El Pasoan, is considered one of the nation’s leading Mexican-American artists. A self-taught painter/muralist, Mr. Martinez gained national recognition for his contributions to the Chicano Movement of the 1960s. Mr. Martinez has served as an artist for the U.S. Government for more than thirty-five years, been a professor of Mexican/American art at El Paso Community College, and served as an art expert for many civic, religious, and military entities. Still, his artistic talents are dwarfed by his community service and service to country. A decorated WWII veteran, Mr. Martinez still volunteers his time for many veteran and community organizations.
Exhibits in such prestigious venues as the Smithsonian National Museum and the New England Fine Arts Institute.
Elected “Texas State Artist” for 1997-1998 by the Texas State Senate
Honored by U.S. Congressman Silvestre Reyes with a reception and exhibit at his El Paso offices.
Honored by the El Paso City Council for outstanding contribution to Mexican-American culture in 1977.
Ann James Massey- 2001
Ann James Massey was born in Evanston, Illinois in 1951. At the age of six, her family relocated to her mother’s hometown of El Paso, Texas. Her artistic talent was quickly recognized by her high school art teacher, who suggested that she pursue art as a career. Mrs. Massey has since taken the art world by storm, winning countless national and international accolades. While Mrs. Massey is perhaps best known for her wax pencil depictions which make her subjects look real enough to touch, she is also an accomplished oil painter who takes her techniques from the Dutch masters like Jan Vermeer. After owning and running two galleries, Mrs. Massey found that she did not have enough time to focus on her art, so she now spends much of the year in Paris, France, an environment she finds quite conducive to her artistic endeavors.
• Society of Women Artists, London, Barbara Tate Award
• Knickerbacker Artists, New York, Medal of Honor
• American Artists Professional League Award
• Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Exhibition Lovell Award
• Allied Artists of America National Arts Club Award
• Countless shows throughout the United States and the world
Rosellen Marslender- 2002
Rosellen Marslender has always been interested in art, so it was little surprise that she majored in art in college. She received her B.A. from SMU, and put her artistic skills to work while working in the advertising industry. She spent many years volunteering at the El Paso Museum of Art, and especially loved working with children. Having grandchildren of her own inspired her to integrate memories, verses, and songs into her paintings, in hopes of interesting young people in art. She continues to delight the young and young at heart with her work.
Mrs. Marslender has had numerous exhibitions, including the Museum of Art at Pronof in Juarez, the Chamizal National Museum, UTEP, the El Paso Museum of Art, and many others. She has illustrated many books and has helped with the artistic designs of the interior of Grace United Methodist Church. She is a member of several professional associations, and has held several offices with the El Paso Museum of Art.
