Vter a unique background that comes from our diverse
Roswell, NM/USA
known guest artists, ranging from Violinists to Classical Guitarists. In addition, the season will feature many other population and history. International artists come to live special events. here for a year at a special retreat with individual condominiums and adjacent studios as part of the Roswell Artist-in-Residence program. For a town of our size (officially under 50,000) our artist programs, university, galleries and museums offer a plethora of choices. This love for the arts has its roots in a fundamental change when oil and gas were discovered in the Permian basin, turning ranchers and farmers in the 1930s into millionaires. These millionaires were now able to afford a different lifestyle for their children and grandchildren, who were sent to the most elite universities in the nation. Some studied art, although not every one became an artist. When they returned, they brought with them a love for the arts. Another great example is the public and private school’s Not only for the collection of art through galleries and art programs. While the rest of the nation started in the exhibits, but for the visual arts, such as live theater and late ‘90s to cut art out of schools, private mentors and artmusic. A shining example is the Roswell Symphony Orists stepped forward with the support of the community chestra, which started in 1952. and the boards of the museums to not only keep the arts, For over 50 years, the Roswell Symphony Orchestra but add to them. The Roswell Museum and Art Center has earned a reputation for musical excellence by sharing introduced a scholarship program for low-income famiwith Roswell and southeastern New Mexico the talents of lies to fund art classes for our youth. Programs like RosNew Mexico’s professional musicians. More important- well KAPS, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, expands cultural literaly, many have been born and raised in New Mexico and cy among Roswell-area youth. It encourages youth to be with just a few exceptions, they all reside in New Mex- nurtured by and initiated into the arts. It supports the deico. Under the direction of John Farrer, recipient of the velopment of integrity, perseverance and selfworth in our Governor’s Award for Excellence and Achievement and children. Many possibilities through KAPS are coming. nominated by Sens. Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman They are currently creating more classes with a variety of as a Trustee of the National Symphony Orchestra, the fine art, music and dance. subscription concert series is made up of five concerts These art programs expand into the adult and retired performed October through May. Subscription concerts communities. Moving to or living in Roswell means havare held at New Mexico Military Institute’s Pearson Auing the opportunity to be a part of a colorful community. ditorium. These concerts bring classical orchestral music, Beautification projects provide positive local impact. If performed by professional musicians, to the area. Music written by Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Mozart, Strauss, Wag- it is saving a historic landmark — such as the Roswell ner and the like are performed, often with internationally Motor Supply Building, which Roswell citizens and businesses helped to save — or creating a new venue, such as Reischman Park on Main Street, artists and locals work hand-in-hand to make this community better in every way possible. This love for the arts has not changed the foundation of this center of agriculture. Roswell’s Future Farmers of America program is just as popular as the art classes for the children and adults. Add to that the scientific and military retirees and the young families wanting to offer their children a safer upbringing and, all-in-all Roswell is a place to visit and stay. isitors and those who move to Roswell soon encoun-
Discover Roswell at www.RoswellNM.org
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