Jackalope talks to SFUAD studio artist Stephanie Thompson about the focus of her work.

In a month filled with fiesta, few venues in New Mexico can compare in popularity and size to Albuquerque’s State Fair, running this year from Sept. 10-21. Part of EXPO New Mexico, a self-sustaining agency, the 61-year-old fair was created to “reflect and showcase” the state’s “agriculture, industries, arts, science and technology, diversity of people and traditions…and promote youth development and education.” Within the 200 annual events of EXPO New Mexico, the Albuquerque State Fair is the local favorite, providing native artists and business owners a venue to promote their work and establishments via the entertaining and food-bombarding atmosphere. This year, the fair offered its usual exhibitions and markets along the main road of Governors’ Avenue, performances and events in its Pavilion, and of course the midway carnival (complete with various-sized ferris wheels, vomit-inducing rides and marry-go-round!). Overall, the experience can be summarized in three categories: art, animals and food.  Last weekend to visit Albuquerque’s State Fair, today through Sept. 20. As the EXPO New Mexico website reads, Go Fair! Art The Hispanic Arts Center, located along Avenue of the Governors, is an exhibition dedicated to Hispanic arts. This year artists submit their work in 22 visual arts categories, from traditional to contemporary, and materials included wood, straw, wax, porcelain, oil, watercolor, paper, tin, photography, wire, nails, etc. According to Cheree Bloom, art seller at this year’s Hispanic market, artists eligible for first, second, third place ribbons and honorable mentions must be at least one quarter Hispanic. Bloom says that although they go by the honor system, if any of the artists are challenged, they must present their birth certificates. This year, the submissions were judged by three residents of New Mexico, artists with degrees and an eye for what locals consider “Hispanic-themed” art.  Much of the work, for example, reflected Roman Catholic values, Southwestern culture, and the Mexican-influenced...