Alamogordo’s Aspiring Arts District to Add Jo’s Workshop, Atelier Regina, and Infinity Sweets 2

ALAMOGORDO, NM — The 1100 and 1200 blocks of New York Avenue are quickly becoming the cultural heartbeat of Alamogordo’s downtown. Anchored by the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts, the in process of renovations, Sands Theater, Otero Arts at 12th and Indiana, and the soon-to-open galleries of 2nd Life Media’s Studio Q at 1209 New York Avenue—which hosted a live music event with Freddie Duran this past weekend—the area is evolving into a vibrant Cultural Arts District. Just next door, The Walela Mountain Gallery at 1207 New York Avenue adds another layer of artistic depth to the corridor and of course cool retail shops featuring primitive and Americana decor like Our Little County Store.

Now, three new ventures are joining this creative surge, reinforcing Alamogordo’s downtown as a destination for culture, community, and commerce.

Jo’s Workshop, founded by local artist Joanne Blumenthal—now known as Joanne Scaramella—is set to open in January 2026 at the corner of 12th Street and New York Avenue, next to Our Little Country Store and across from Wells Fargo. Evolving from the holiday Pop-Up Emporium opening Friday November 28th and showcased on Block12.org, the studio will offer junk journaling, artisan paper crafts, mixed media art, and jewelry making. Scaramella’s workshops have become a staple of Alamogordo’s arts scene, featured in New Mexico Influence Magazine and celebrated for their community impact.

Just steps away, behind the Historic Sands Theater, Atelier Regina Alamogordo is starting to take shape with the winter of 2026 targeted as being in full swingf. Led by mixed media artist and iconographer Regina Hanna, the studio will host immersive installations and workshops inspired by sacred spaces and the power of silence in artistic expression. Hanna’s work, rooted in global travels and spiritual reflection, brings a deeply personal and textured voice to Alamogordo’s growing arts scene riding on  the success of her Cloudcroft studio location. “Silence tells a story, a more authentic one,” Hanna writes. “It’s where we hear our true voice—the one that nudges you to the tube of vibrant paint instead of the beige.”

Adding a sweet touch to the district’s growth, Infinity Sweets 2 is preparing to launch in 2026 on White Sands Boulevard in 2026. The expanded bakery will offer a larger menu, more seating, and a renewed commitment to serving the Alamogordo community with handcrafted treats and warm hospitality.

These ventures join a robust lineup of private investments already reshaping the MainStreet corridor. The 1100 and 1200 block additions complement RAD Retrocade’s entertainment venue on the 800 block, the retrofit of the Historic Sands Theater on the 1100 block, and the Avis Building brewpub on the 900 block—all slated to open in 2026.

Mayor Pro Tempore Sharon McDonald, a longtime advocate for downtown revitalization, shared her enthusiasm for the district’s evolution and the entrepreneurs behind it:

“Having known Joanne since her days teaching at Roadrunner Emporium, spinning fibers at Otero Arts, with booths at the Farmers Market, and inspiring creativity across the community, it’s incredibly exciting to see her take this next step as a full-time business owner on the 1200 block of New York Avenue. I’m also thrilled to welcome Regina Hanna to Alamogordo—her success in Cloudcroft and her artistic vision will be a beautiful addition to our downtown. And of course, I can’t wait to see Infinity Sweets 2 open its doors and bring even more flavor to our MainStreet experience.”

With dozens of projects in motion and a growing roster of cultural and commercial ventures, Alamogordo’s MainStreet District and its aspiring cultural arts corridor is poised to become a regional beacon for innovation, artistry, and community pride.

More News from Alamogordo

• Miami Street Exhibit Unveiled at Tularosa Basin Museum Honors Legacy of Black Community in Alamogordo Come check out the Miami Street Experience and several new exhibits at the Tularosa Basin Museum…
• Alamogordo’s MainStreet District Now Surpasses $7 Million in Private Investment With Additional Business Planned for 2026 Mayor Pro Temp Sharon McDonald- We’ve laid the foundation, now private investors are stepping up to build a sustainable, creative economy that reflects the spirit of Alamo.”