Gallup icon wins art award

By Bill Donovan
Staff Writer

George Hight

GALLUP — When George Hight lived here in Gallup, he operated his photography business much like that of a country doctor.

"When you operate a photography business in a small town like Gallup, people expect you to be able to do everything," he said in a telephone interview from Albuquerque.

Hight operated his photography studio here from about 1947 to 1991 and since then has been living the retired life in Albuquerque.

But instead of taking photos, he has been spending his time painting and doing so well at his new avocation that he just recently was presented with the 2007 MasterWorks Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award is given annually by the MasterWorks of New Mexico, which sponsors one of the most prestigious art shows each year in New Mexico.

"I feel humbled in getting the award," Hight said.

Hight is a third generation member of a Gallup pioneer family. His grandmother was a midwife here in the 1880s and his father was a builder, responsible for building many of the structures in the downtown area.

While he has been painting since his youth, his time in Gallup was spent as a photographer, operating a studio on Second Street where he would do portraits and sell cameras and photo supplies.

His collection of photographs, taken during his Gallup years, also includes a wide range of candid shots of dignitaries, including movie stars and political leaders, who visited the area for one reason or another.

As is common in small cities, his business interests merged into a political career in the early 1980s, when he was elected to the city council. He was also involved in state politics, serving on committees for the New Mexico Municipal League and on the board for the New Mexico Arts and Crafts Fair.

After he left Gallup, he stayed in touch with his many friends, but over the years, he said, many of them have also retired and moved to Albuquerque. He also spends part of his time as director of the Gallery at the Cathedral Church of St. John in Albuquerque.

He sold some paintings while he was in Gallup and has been concentrating on minatures for the past decade or so, selling at shows and through galleries.

"All of the paintings I do are realistic," he said.

His work can be seen at the Ninth annual MasterWorks New Mexico Spring Art Show, which is going on until April 27 at Expo New Mexico's Hispanic Arts Building. Examples of Hight's work can also be seen by going to yuccartgallery.com, clicking on the gallery artist section and looking for Hight under the oil paintings.