Save the Date: Otero Arts Plein Air Painting Workshop Returns October 13-15, 2026

Alamogordo N.M- Alamogordo residents and visiting artists are invited to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of southern New Mexico during Otero Arts’ annual Plein Air Painting Workshop, scheduled for October 13-15. The three-day event will feature instruction in painting historic villages and local landscapes under the guidance of accomplished artist Anita Louise West.

“This workshop is a wonderful opportunity to capture the unique character of our region’s architectural heritage and stunning vistas,” said organizers at Otero Arts. The workshop will convene at Otero Artspace, located at 12th and Indiana in Alamogordo, with painting sessions conducted at picturesque locations throughout the surrounding area.

About the Workshop

The workshop is limited to 10 students to ensure personalized instruction and optimal learning outcomes. Participants should register in advance. The cost is $200 per person.

Attendees will study landscape painting on location, a method that helps artists simplify their subjects, paint with confidence, and develop skills in observing changing weather and light conditions outdoors. All skill levels are welcome; Ms. West’s expertise spans multiple media including oil, watercolor, acrylic, and pastel.

About the Instructor

Anita Louise West brings decades of professional experience and formal training to the workshop. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Missouri University and studied at the prestigious Kansas City Art Institute on scholarship, earning a graduate-level teaching certificate from UMKC.

Ms. West’s career spans more than three decades as a professional painter and business owner since 1989. She has taught workshops throughout the United States and internationally in Spain, France, and Canada. In 2007, she pursued advanced study at the Art Students League in New York, working with master instructors including Mary Beth Mackenzie, Daniel Greene, Nelson Shanks, and Richard Schmid—study that deepened her expertise in figure, portrait, and plein air painting.

A published author, Ms. West co-wrote “Painting the Landscape in Pastel.” Her fluency across all media and subject matter, combined with her ability to simplify materials and methods, has made her an effective teacher capable of facilitating meaningful growth in her students.

Registration Details

When: October 13-15, 2024

Where: Otero Artspace, 12th and Indiana, Alamogordo

Cost : $200 per person

Enrollment: Limited to 10 students

To reserve your spot or for more information:

• Website: www.oteroarts.org

• Email: oteroartsinc@gmail.com

This project is supported in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts.

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