Alamogordo MainStreet's New York Avenue Moves to Next Phase of Makeover

Alamogordo MainStreet is pleased to announce the conclusion of the efforts of the first several contractors who were engaged in the MainStreet Makeover and that the next phase to include new sidewalks, mural paintings and more is now in progress

General Hydronics Utilities LLC. under the partnership of Charles Wade Martin and Edwin Boles oversaw the on-time completion of the installation of new sewer lines in partnership with AUI Inc, new paved alley ways via La Luz Paving, and installation of new waterlines, fire hydrants, valves and infrastructure improvements via its inhouse staff.

"It’s been such a pleasure working with General Hydronics Utilities during the MainStreet Makeover. Their crews have been incredible—always kind, respectful, and genuinely thoughtful about the impact on our downtown businesses. They went out of their way to communicate and find ways to minimize disruptions, and that kind of care doesn’t go unnoticed. We’re so thankful for their hard work and the way they embraced being part of this community effort,"'said Claudia Loya, President, Alamogordo MainStreet.

"Watching the General Hydronics Utilities teamwork through the MainStreet Makeover has been a true highlight of this project. They went out of their way to build real relationships with our downtown business owners. They supported the shops while on site—many even became regular customers during the project. One of my favorite stories is how the crew started calling Ms. Alice, the owner of Victoria, ‘Abuelita’. She would hand out snacks and treats like a proud grandma, and the mutual appreciation was just beautiful to witness. That kind of community spirit is what this work is all about, " said Nolan Ojeda, Executive Director, Alamogordo MainStreet.

This weekend begins the volunteer work of countless individuals in partnership with commissioned artist to create the next step of beautification with the upcoming murals projects on the alleyway facing White Sands Blvd. 

The artists to begin work this weekend include: 

A unique pair of film makers who had a vision for the Pioneer Women of Alamogordo. Welcome John K.D. Graham and Lava Khonsuwon.  

John K.D. Graham is an award winning film maker who believes in gender equality and his films champion women both on and off the screen. Many of his films have received the ReFrame Stamp, which is awarded to narratives that hire women or individuals of other underrepresented gender identities/expressions in four out of eight key roles. His script, “Switched” was awarded best screenplay by the Kairos Pro Prize at the 2019 Movie Guide Awards.

John’s understanding of cinema in its entirety allows him to develop, coordinate and bring to finality any project he takes on. A deep love for travel has given him the opportunity to shoot across the United States and the world, creating documentaries and online content.

He has directed and produced seven feature films which can be found across multiple platforms and have been released by Universal Home Entertainment, PureFlix and RLJ Entertainment. His directing and cinematography can be seen in five travel docs, a web series for CBS and episodes of true crime for Real ID Channel, as well as many instances of online content.

As producer, John is involved in everything from conception, through development, pre-production, shoot, edit, and final delivery to the client. His ability to communicate with agents and secure talent, budgeting and overseeing the process of filming and editing, all the way through final delivery to a distributor, is what enables his films to consistently find placement in the world market.

His shoots have taken him around the world including Kingdom of Thailand, Norway, Peru, Mexico, all 50 states of the USA, and include national parks and monuments.

He currently runs a production company, Raven Crow Entertainment, out of La Luz, New Mexico.

To learn more about John K.D. Graham, visit his website at: www.johnkdgraham.com
And to see his production company go to: www.ravencrowentertainment.com For Lava's work visit: www.beinglava.com

Next, we introduce Cloudcroft local painter Drew Gaines, representing the story of Holloman Before Holloman.

Drew Gaines is a painter who strives to be a chronicler of everyday life and everyday people. His art is an extension of his studies in photojournalism in which he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas. This subject taught him the importance of observation and to create an engaging scene that tells a story. His work is a representation of the small slice of America which he occupies and he hopes it speaks truth to its diverse, ever-changing, conflicted and beautiful nature. He often works in plein-air (painting outside on location), which allows him to immerse himself in a subject.

Drew currently lives in a small cabin near Cloudcroft, New Mexico with his wife, their two dogs and cat. It’s a rustic lifestyle. They heat their home with a wood stove, use an outhouse and collect rain water for household chores. Their way of life brings them closer to nature and to the people in their community.

You can find his work at: https://www.drewgaines.com/ and follow him at: @drewgaines_thepainter
Top right photo credit: Guillaume Bigot

The MainStreet district is honored to have selected an artist from Santa Fe to join the mural projects downtown. The New York Avenue merchants welcome Mia Calsi from Santa Fe to paint Alamogordo's History on Ranching. She has vibrant experience and we are excited to see her final design painted downtown.

Mia Mae Calsi spent her formative years getting lost in the forest around her family’s home in the Catskill Mountains of New York.
She graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 2011 with a BFA in Illustration. She has exhibited her paintings throughout New York, and has participated in group shows at Hecho Gallery, Sun and Dust, and El Zaguan in Santa Fe. Her work resides in private collections both domestic and abroad, including a number of murals across Croatia, Italy, France, the Northeastern United States and most recently, Truth or Consequences and Hillsboro, New Mexico.

Calsi balances her creative practice with a dabbling of arts administration, curation, and project management. She currently lives in Santa Fe with her partner, her baby, and her dog, and spends time collecting stories and stones.

All she has ever wanted is to make art and play outside. You can find her work at: www.miacalsi.com Follow her on Instagram: @miamae.art  Photo credit: M. Montgomery of Space Helmet Pictures @spacehelmetpictures

And finally celebrating Chihuahuita is another mural being created by Samantha Odom of Cloudcroft. 

"I am a big color artist, blooming atop the high mountains of southern New Mexico. I am a wife, mother of four boys, painter, clothing designer, and singer. I use high energy shades that match my personality and love for this one life I’ve been given.

Working from photos, I amp up the hues, giving the subject a surprising and delightful fresh look. Starting with a heavy texture, I often draw or carve into the medium with my fingers, or scribble words of ancient wisdom and then enjoy the secret of covering and layering on this foundation. “Don’t be afraid to destroy” is my mantra when I’m in flow, slapping and dapping paint around, believing the colors and layers will all work together in time. With my playful pink, purple and New Mexico turquoise palette, my landscapes offer the viewer a fresh look of a familiar place encouraging revival."

Samantha currently lives in Cloudcroft, NM. Her work can be seen in both public spaces and private homes in southern New Mexico and west Texas. She is a member of Cloudcroft Art Society and has been featured in “Ventana’s” and “The Ink” magazines and the local newspaper when working on public murals.

To volunteer or to learn more visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/16W7Hgf66J/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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