The Albuquerque Museum Foundation is honored to name well-known author Tony Hillerman as the fourth recipient of the Notable New Mexican Collection at The Albuquerque Museum of Art & History.

Tony Hillerman started his career as a journalist spending 17 years as a reporter and newspaper editor. He received a master�s degree in English at the University of New Mexico where he subsequently spent 20 years as a journalism professor. These days Tony Hillerman is best known for mystery novels featuring two Native American detectives, Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. The detective novels focus on Navajo customs and culture in and around the Navajo reservation that covers parts of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.

The Notable New Mexican Collection at The Albuquerque Museum of Art & History honors living New Mexicans worthy of permanent recognition for their achievements and contributions to our state. As part of this honor, a painting, photograph or sculpture of each Notable New Mexican will become part of the permanent collection at The Albuquerque Museum. A photograph of Tony Hillerman by Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Don Bartletti will be displayed alongside paintings of past recipients, U.S. Ambassador Edward Romero, Governor Bruce King and artist Wilson Hurley, as part of this growing collection.

KNME-TV is proud to once again be the television sponsor for the Notable New Mexican event and will produce a documentary of Tony Hillerman to be seen on KNME-TV, channel 5.

On the evening of May 1, 2004 the Albuquerque Museum Foundation will honor Tony Hillerman and celebrate the addition of his photograph to the Notable New Mexican Collection. Guests will spend very special evening at the UNM Student Union Ballroom culminating with the unveiling of his portrait.

Individual tickets are $150 and can be purchased by calling 505-842-0111. Table sponsorships are available. Following the evening event the portrait will be displayed at the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History for all to see.

Notable New Mexican Celebration honoring Tony Hillerman Saturday, May 1, 2004 Presented by the Albuquerque Museum Foundation For more information call 505-842-0111

The Albuquerque Museum 2000 Mountain Road NW Open Tues.-Sun. 9-5 505-243-7255 voice/relay www.cabq.gov/museum The museum is an accessible facility

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Media Contact: Melissa Besante +1 505.222.4349 besante@itsatrip.org