Lab employee honored by State for his art

Contact: David Lyons, (505) 665 9198 (00-130)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Oct. 2, 2000 -- The state of New Mexico recently recognized tinworking artist Martine Martinez, who works for the Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory, for his work.

New Mexico Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron awarded Martinez a Certificate of Appreciation for "exemplary dedication and service in enhancing the quality of life among all the peoples in the Land of Enchantment."

"I had no idea I was going to receive this," said Martinez, an employee in Los Alamos' Weapon Materials and Manufacturing Group. "It gives me a sense of accomplishment and pride that I really can't describe in words."

His wife, Patricia, also is an artist and received a Certificate of Appreciation as well. Martinez works with tin, while Patricia is an accomplished weaver. In fact, one of Martinez's supervisors presented a Russian scientist and his two interpreters with three of Patricia's weavings as gifts during a recently held workshop in Sarov, site of the chief Russian nuclear weapons design lab.

The 20-year Los Alamos employee has been a tin artist for more than decade, though he only began selling his works to the public a few years ago through venues such as the summer Spanish Market in Santa Fe.

Martinez specializes in religious pieces such as crosses. He also makes mirrors, picture frames and other pieces with religious tones. Some of his works have been showcased at the Mariposa Gallery in Alcalde and Los Vigil's in Chimayo. Additionally, his works have won ribbons from El Rancho de Las Golandrinas, a Spanish colonial living history museum south of Santa Fe.

"Whenever my pieces receive awards, I donate those pieces to St. Anne's Church in Alcalde. I'm also planning to donate some of my pieces to San Juan Parish," said Martinez.

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