11-15-2024 11:50am

Otero Arts Celebrating 5 Years as Alamogordo's Cultural Arts Center

Chris Edwards Editor

Otero Arts making a positive impact on the fabric of Alamogordo's cultural arts scene. Almost five years ago, we came to Alamogordo to research a book on the impact of Coach Bob Sepulveda and his decades of coaching. Since then we have published 4 books on a variety of subjects and opted to invest in the local Alamogordo community after witnessing a budding cultural arts community attempting to find its wings, even while battling the turbulent times of the pandemic and political uncertainty.

As a part of that early introduction to Alamogordo, we met Claudia Powell, Chris Jones and Rochelle Williams; each affiliated with Otero Arts. Each told us about a unique organization, that at that time was in it's infancy, and would have a profound impact on the arts community of Alamogordo.

They were each, so correct, in their passion and their commitment to see a budding arts community begin to work collaboratively for a common good.

Step forward five years, centrally located at the Otero Art Space at the historically refurbished Womens Club of Alamogordo at 1118 Indiana and citizens will see on going events every week showcasing paintings, sculptured art, live music events, improvisation theater, classical dance, belly dancing, poetry, authors showcases, Veteran's art shows and even more. Otero arts also hosts classes, workshops, educational lectures and more. Some at a very nominal cost and some free. With offerings that entice children and senior adults alike.

This weekend they are hosting their 5 year anniversary celebration and kicking off their membership drive. OPEN HOUSE and MEMBERSHIP DRIVE kickoff on SUNDAY Nov 17, 2024 2pm - 4pm at Otero Artspace, 12th and Indiana, Alamogordo. Join for punch, coffee, cake, and cheer!

Ongoing and upcoming events with the organization include...

About this months featured artist showcased and free to checkout! Donna Foley for more than thirty years, the weaving traditions from around the world, both ancient and contemporary, have been the springboard of her own weaving path. The rugs from the nomadic weavers of the Middle East, the woolen wares from Ireland & Scandinavia, the beautiful alpaca textiles of Peru and the strong weaving tradition of the American Southwest have all called to her and inspired her. She says that "she feels what these cultures all have in common are their strong ties to their landscape as well as their tradition of shepherding their fiber animals, which immerses them in the rhythms of life and death that are inherent in such a lifestyle. I have also been immersed in this cycle. For most of my weaving career I have raised sheep to produce the wool for my tapestries. The name Four Directions Weaving honors these diverse weaving cultures as well as acts as a powerful symbol for my own sense of place, finding the balance between the attributes of north & south, east & west; warp and weft...

I envision my tapestries as maps of my spiritual journey. The topography is both an external terrain of the mountains and wilderness where I live as well as an internal landscape of meditations and dreams. The lustrous fiber from rare breeds of sheep and the traditional dyes from plants that I use to color their wool are important elements in my weaving. Many of my tapestries incorporate symbols such as petroglyphs, runes and I Ching hexagrams. ”Found” objects of stone, feather & beads often find their way into my work."

Check out an exhibition of her creations at Otero Art Space Thursday thru Sunday 1 to 4 pm this month and for free!

Coming up on November 20th. Otero Arts is very proud to present an evening with virtuoso classical guitarist and composer Gerardo Perez Capdevila at Otero Artspace on November 20. The Cuban-born master guitarist has earned five national prizes in Cuba in addition to seven international prizes. Mr. Capdevila will play his own compositions as well as classical, pop, classic rock, and flamenco This concert will probably sell out, so buy your tickets now.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased HERE: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/4893c558-9ad4-4a50-a02b-9610cb001…

For more information please leave a message at 575-446-3880, email events@oteroarts.org or see Gerardo's website at https://www.gerardoperezcapdevila.com/

This programming/project is supported in part by Creative West and the National Endowment for the Arts

Otero Arts has so much to offer and is located just at the fringe of the New York Avenue Cultural Arts and history district located at the corner of 12th and Indiana at 1118 Indiana. Check them out!