George Rivera 

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Artist and Teacher

Native American artist and teacher George Rivera first taught art at the Santa Fe Boys & Girls Club, which he joined at age 12, becoming the Club’s Boy of the Year in 1981. Lieutenant governor of New Mexico’s Pojoaque Pueblo since 1992, he has pursued community and economic development through art and education. He founded and designed the Poeh Cultural Center and Museum, an arts and education facility that promotes public understanding of Pueblo history and culture. Rivera is working to ensure a bright future for local youth as chairman of the board for the Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club, which he helped establish.