Betty Sabo facts for kids

Betty Sabo (born Betty Jean Beals; September 15, 1928 – May 10, 2016) was an American artist. She was known for her beautiful landscape paintings and sculptures. She was especially famous for her realistic oil paintings of New Mexico's amazing landscapes.

Early Life and Art Studies

Betty Sabo was born in Kansas City, Missouri. She loved art from a young age. She studied art at the University of New Mexico. After college, she spent five years learning even more. She was taught by a German artist named Carl von Hassler.

Painting and Sculpting Style

Betty Sabo created her paintings in her studio. She would first go out and explore different places. She took sketches, notes, and photos of what she saw. Then, she used these to finish her artworks back in her studio. Besides New Mexico, she also loved painting landscapes from Arizona and Colorado.

Awards and Recognition

Betty Sabo won many awards for her art. In 1968, she won first place at the New Mexico State Fair. Her winning piece was called "Isleta". It showed the St. Augustine Church at the pueblo.

In 1988, something very special happened. The President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, visited Albuquerque. The Governor of New Mexico, Garrey Carruthers, gave the President a special gift. It was a Nambé platter and an oil painting by Betty Sabo.

In 1991, the Albuquerque Museum Foundation gave her an "Award of Distinction." This award was for people who showed great leadership. Betty Sabo was a strong supporter of the arts. She worked hard to explain and promote art in her community.

In 2012, Governor Susana Martinez made February 10, 2012, "Betty Sabo Day." This was to celebrate Betty Sabo's amazing art career and her work for the community.

Art Exhibitions

Betty Sabo's artwork was shown in many important exhibits. Her paintings were displayed in New York City at places like the American Academy of Art. They were also shown in Santa Fe at the Museum of New Mexico.

Her paintings and sculptures are part of several important art collections. These include collections at the Phelps Dodge Corporation, United New Mexico Banks, and the Albuquerque Museum.

In 1992, the U.S. State Department asked Betty Sabo to display one of her paintings. It was shown in the American Embassy in Moscow, Russia.

In Pop Culture

A documentary film about Betty Sabo was made. It was called "Betty Sabo – an artful life." This film first aired on KASA-TV on February 11, 2012.