Morrow, Vicki

Each month in 2021 – The Year of the Artist, a different arts category will be highlighted with an artist in that field being celebrated as the Artist of the Month.

The Doña Ana Arts Council is happy to announce that Russell Hernandez is our featured artist for February.  He has been selected for his outstanding culinary finesse and community involvement.

Russell, a 2004 New Mexico State University (NMSU) Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business graduate, is an owner and operator of Salud! de Mesilla, a local restaurant featuring a new American dining experience with an emphasis on tapas.  

Recently, Hernandez received the 2020 Young Alumni Service Award from NMSU for his fundraising efforts and volunteering his time to organizations like Comida Encantada and many NMSU organizations.  We applaud this young culinary artist for providing a unique dining experience and giving back to his community through fundraising and volunteering his time.

Currently, he is a member of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Board of Directors, a guest speaker for the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and College of Business, and pioneer for “Experience Mesilla,” an organization that supports small businesses in the Mesilla area. He is the Thyme of Your Life Endowed Scholarship founder, which supports NMSU students entering the restaurant industry.