New Mexico Magazine takes home 18 honors at International Regional Media Association Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Sundi Richard
Marketing Manager, New Mexico Magazine
sundi.richard@td.nm.gov
505-490-1972
October 21, 2025
New Mexico Magazine takes home 18 honors at International Regional Media Association Awards
SANTA FE – America’s oldest state magazine, New Mexico Magazine continued a 102-year tradition of excellence at the 45th annual International Regional Media Association (IRMA) Awards, taking home 18 honors at the September 26 ceremony in Calgary in an array of categories for magazines with 35,000-plus circulations. New Mexico Magazine was also a finalist for Magazine of the Year, a title it was awarded in 2024.
“Telling a great story requires fantastic writing, photography and artwork, and New Mexico Magazine ’s haul of awards from the International Regional Media Association demonstrates the talent and versatility of the team that brings these stories to hundreds of thousands of readers each year,” said Acting Tourism Secretary Lancing Adams.
“The passion for New Mexico from our staff and contributors comes through in every page of every issue,” said editor-in-chief Steve Gleydura. “These awards are a tribute to those efforts as well as a recognition of New Mexico’s rich culture, amazing landscapes, and engaging people.”
An IRMA judge summed up the beloved publication’s continuing excellence: “Fun, fresh, and poignant. Love the considered design elements and overall visual cohesion. The mix of hard-hitting stories and lighter features means there is something for everyone, and even longtime residents will definitely learn something new!”
For issues published in 2024, the magazine earned Gold awards in Cover and Historic Feature. Silver medals include Magazine Writer of the Year for Molly Boyle; Overall Art Direction for John McCauley and Karin Eberhardt; and Magazine Photographer of the Year for Tira Howard. The magazine team earned Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards across categories in writing, design, editorial, and photography.
Explore the full list of winners here:
Gold
Cover – Western Fashion
Historic Feature – “Our Town” by Molly Boyle
Silver
Magazine Writer of the Year – Molly Boyle
Overall Art Direction – John McCauley and Karin Eberhardt
Magazine Photographer of the Year – Tira Howard
General Feature – “The Cult of Allsup’s” by Molly Boyle
Recreation Feature – “Unleashing the Beast” by Molly Boyle
Public Issues – “Worth Every Last Drop” by Elizabeth Miller
Food Feature – “Tacos of Enchantment” by Molly Boyle, Lynn Cline, Candolin Cook, Ungelbah Dávila, Monika Dziamka, Steve Gleydura, Lanee Lee, Debra Levy Martinelli, Carmella Padilla, and Cielo Rodriguez, photographed by Tira Howard
Department – Originals, edited by Steve Gleydura ( “Sense of Place” by Molly Boyle and photographed by Minesh Bacrania; “Power of the Pen” by Jennifer Levin and photographed by Steven St. John; “Pinstripe Wizard” by Iris Fitzpatrick and photographed by Roberto E. Rosales)
Portrait Series – “A Deeply Practical Magic” by Kate Russell
Single Photo – “True West” by Tira Howard
Bronze
Art & Culture Feature – “A Deeply Practical Magic” by Molly Boyle
Nature and Environment Feature – “Growing Lessons” by Kate Nelson
Editorial Package – “Lights, Camera, New Mexico!” by Michael Abatemarco, Jaima Chevalier, Lynn Cline, Candolin Cook, Jennifer Levin, and Jennifer C. Olson, photographed by Tira Howard
Spot Illustration – “Soak Up Summer” by Ryan Johnson
Portrait Photo – “Pinstripe Wizard” by Roberto E. Rosales
Merit
Art Direction of a Single Story – “True West” by John McCauley
To evaluate the achievements of member magazines, IRMA annually selects a panel of industry experts from outside IRMA who choose winners from the pool of submitted entries. The various award categories include editorial, design, and photography. Review more information about the 2024 IRMA award winners here .
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About New Mexico Magazine: New Mexico Magazine features topics from around New Mexico, including our multicultural heritage, arts, climate, environment, and diverse people. The award-winning magazine, in partnership with the New Mexico Tourism Department, also publishes the official New Mexico True Adventure Guide. Founded in 1923, New Mexico Magazine reigns as the longest-tenured state magazine in the United States, while ranking as the third-largest state-owned publication in circulation.
About New Mexico True: The New Mexico Tourism Department created the New Mexico True brand in response to common misconceptions that New Mexico is a dry, arid, barren desert state with nothing to do. Built upon the idea that a trip to New Mexico is an “adventure that feeds the soul,” the brand advertising campaign provides a platform for unified messaging for more than 50 communities and 500 businesses around the state.
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