“Western Sky” in ART NM! Art and Culture Day in Roswell
Roswell’s art community is busy planning events for ART NM! Arts and Culture Day to be held at the Roswell Museum, 1011 N. Richardson Ave., on April 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event coincides with the museum’s Second Saturday, when Roswell citizens receive free admission to the museum and its family – friendly activities. This year’s theme is “Western Skies,” fitting for Southeastern New Mexico with its vast open skies that have inspired artists such as Georgia O’Keefe and Peter Heard.
This year marks the third time that families, friends, professionals and hobby artists have been invited to join in the many activities by the various organizations and organizations involved.
The event is presented by New Mexico’s arts advocacy organization, Creative New Mexico, a nonprofit organization that connects, promotes and advocates for creative individuals, organizations, industries and communities across the state.
Lori Ruffe, who is vice president of Creative New Mexico, said, “Our idea is to promote the arts in the community. We want to make sure that decision makers and the general public understand the value of the arts in their community. So this is one way to do it.”
The Roswell Museum and the Roswell Museum and Art Center Foundation have been a part of the event from the beginning.
The museum has recently undergone renovations, although they are not yet completely finished, according to its executive director Caroline Brooks. “Our first phase of flooring finishes this month (March) which includes the hardwood and carpet as well as some luxury vinyl tiles,” she said.
Brooks said event-goers will find inspiration in a new regional exhibit in the museum’s Patricia Gaylord Anderson Gallery called “Here and Near.” “It used to be ‘Made in New Mexico’ and it focused on New Mexico-based artists or artists who were here temporarily or permanently creating art,” she said. “Now we’re looking more at the southwest as a region. So, hence the title “Here and Near”. It’s also a different setup for us, … it’s salon style. So we have about 150 different pieces of art that are currently being installed in this gallery that will be open by the time we have this event in April. And for us, that’s the inspiration for the event as a whole with the western sky. … We are very happy to host this and be able to use our resources to help amplify the voices of our cultural institutions from across the region.”
Nancy Fleming, director and co-founder of the Miniatures and Curiosities Museum (MCCM), said the museum will partner with Bone Springs Art Space and others.
“We’re trying to make things that, when you go from one table to another, grow. At one station you painted watercolors, and then (at) the next station you made little vases, and (at) the third you put it all together in a vignette. … The most fun will be for the community to show up and do and create. And by then we will have ironed out everything with the materials and ideas. The theme is “The Western Sky”. We are influenced by art, but I’m sure (it) will also include flora and fauna. And we’re just celebrating the arts,” Fleming said.
The Roswell Artist-in-Residence (RAiR) and the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art are also involved in the project, interim director Tony Harbert said in an email. They will display printed materials; artists will present videos and original artwork inspired by the western sky. “We will be answering questions about the residency and the museum and promoting some of the art and artists that have been part of the RAiR program over the past 50-plus years,” Harbert said.
The Arts and Crafts Division of the Eastern New Mexico State Fair (ENMSF) also participates. Its supervisor, Michelle Hembree, said in an email that they also participated last year and the event increased interest in participating in the fair. “We were able to provide a fun, hands-on pointillism painting class at the event with (with) the help of a grant from Pioneer Bank for art supplies. We have effectively increased exhibitor participation at the 2023 Fair as well as built stronger connections with local fellow art suppliers, museum staff, businesses and artisans through the event.
“This year we will be providing, again with the help of Pioneer Bank, a hands-on collage project inspired by New Mexico sunsets and sunrises. Our goal this year is simply to provide a fun activity and inspire a love of art in all participants,” she said.
ENMSF’s Arts and Crafts Department hosts a six-day full state invitational art exhibit with participants from more than 10 counties. The showcase features a judged competition with ribbons and cash prizes. “In addition, the arts and crafts department provides free arts and crafts training and workshops during the six-day fair for people of all ages,” Hembree said.
At press time, other participants offering activities and information at ART NM! Arts and Culture Day are Pecos Valley Quilters, Roswell Jazz Festival, Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico, Roswell Fine Arts League and Pecos Valley Iris Society.
Roswell isn’t the only community participating in ART NM! Art and Culture Day. Other locations with interactive events in April include Artesia, Farmington, Gallup, Hatch, Magdalena, Rio Rancho, Roswell, Silver City and Taos. Rufe said each community has different activities, from poetry readings to dance and theater. “I think Artesia is going to do murals,” she said.
Asked if, with this renewed interest in the arts, a new generation could get involved, Rufe said, “I think there’s a capacity for that,” she said. “I think that could happen. One of the other things that Creative New Mexico was involved with in the 2023 legislative process, where we helped introduce House Bill 8, which ended up creating the Department of Creative Industries. So, this is the first year 18 communities competed for $1.8 million to find out what people need by holding listening sessions, and Roswell was part of those listening sessions just recently. the economic potential of the arts’.
According to the New Mexico Department of Economic Development (NMEDD), they, along with Santa Fe-based Creative Startups, are continuing to work on the state’s new Creative Industries Survey, according to a press release Thursday. The aim is to develop a comprehensive country-wide plan for the new Creative Industries Department (CID) and support small businesses and entrepreneurs in the creative industries. Also, to create jobs, provide education and workforce training initiatives. At press time, the Creative Startups research team engaged with more than 150 creative organizations in 28 of New Mexico’s 33 counties—both in person and online.
“We are blown away by the enthusiasm and camaraderie of creatives across the state,” Creative Startups lead researcher Mike Young said in the press release. “As we find wherever we work, creative leaders are community leaders. They play a crucial role in preserving and renewing New Mexico’s culture and are eager to set up big tents: they care deeply about their homes and want to translate their success into smart community development that reflects and respects local diversity.”
For more information on Roswell’s ART NM! Arts and Culture Day, visit creativenewmexico.org. For more information about CID, visit edd.newmexico.gov.
