Clara R. Apodaca (born 1934 in Doña Ana, New Mexico) is an American patron of the arts, nonprofit executive, and politician.
In April 1975, First Lady Apodaca founded and opened the Governor's Gallery in the New Mexico State Capitol, featuring the works of Georgia O'Keeffe in the inaugural exhibition.
[3] Apodaca entered politics while campaigning on behalf of her husband, who was elected to the first of four consecutive terms in the New Mexico House of Representatives in 1966.
[3] Though it was called the "governor's reception area", the room actually belonged to the New Mexico Legislature, which had to grant the first lady permission to convert it into a gallery.
[3][4] First Lady Apodaca's Governor's Gallery on the fourth floor formally opened in April 1975, just a few months after she had conceptualized the idea.
[2] The Governor's Gallery's inaugural opening exhibition featured the works of Georgia O'Keeffe, one of the country's most famous painters at the time.
agreed to participate in the exhibition due to her admiration for New Mexico and a personal phone call from Governor Jerry Apodaca at the first lady's behest.
[2][3] Elsewhere in the Capitol building, Clare Apodaca started a series a "brown bag" concerts and recitals in the rotunda for employees, elected officials, and visitors, featuring a variety of musical genres and dances, including ballet, bluegrass, flamenco, jazz, opera, and musical theater productions.
[2][3] As first lady, Apodaca also served on the women's board for the Museum of New Mexico and the Santa Fe Festival of the Arts' advisory council.
[4] The new admission fees were opposed by her boss, Governor Anaya, but had been mandated by the New Mexico Legislature to pay for the upkeep of the museums.