AMoCA News March - May
Fabiana Comas Risquez Dinner at AMoCA
An artist’s dinner was held at the Anderson Museum following the opening of Fabiana Comas Risquez’s solo exhibition at the Roswell Museum. The lasagna was delicious and the dinner was well attended. Each RAiR solo exhibition at the Roswell Museum begins with an artist talk, and opening reception, then a community dinner in the artist’s honor at the Anderson Museum.
The cake served at the dinner for Fabiana Comas Risquez was inspired by her image on the postcard for the exhibition.
Ben Cosgrove performs at AMoCA
Ben Cosgrove, a traveling pianist and composer from Portland, Maine played at AMoCA during a tour he was doing of Western states in May.
Cosgrove’s music explores themes of landscape, place, and environment. Described by the Boston Globe as “a sonic plein-air painter… [using] his piano as a paintbrush,” He has collaborated with groups ranging from rock bands to research scientists, contributed music to several radio and film projects (including the recent Ken Burns documentary The American Buffalo), and held residencies and fellowships with institutions including NASA, the National Park Service, the National Forest Service, Harvard University, Middlebury College, the Schmidt Ocean Institute, and the Sitka Center for Art & Ecology.
His newest record, Bearings, a collection of improvisation-based music that reflects upon the relationship between movement and place, was released in 2023.
Listen on Spotify.
Contemporary Art Society Visits RAiR
The Contemporary Art Society (CAS), of Albuquerque, came to Roswell for a full RAiR experience on May 19-21. The 25 CAS members had a guided tour of the Anderson Museum, studio visits both with current RAiRs at the RAiR compound on Howard Cook Rd., and with alumni artists and others at the Historic Studios at Berrendo Road. They toured the Roswell Museum and Bone Springs Art Space too. On Saturday night they enjoyed a catered dinner at the Anderson home, and a tour of the Henge, along with RAiR board members and staff. The prevailing feedback from the CAS members was they could not believe what a serious and lively art scene they found in Roswell.
Roswell Jazz Festival Fundraiser
Pianist Ted Rosenthal performed with Richard Simon (bass) and Ricky Malichi (drums) at the Anderson Museum in a fundraiser performance for the Roswell Jazz Festival on April 7.
R.I.S.D. Secondary Art Show
An art exhibition showcasing the work of Roswell middle school & high school students at the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art was held April 4 - 16, with an opening reception April 4. Schools featured were Roswell High School, Goddard High School, Mesa Middle School, Mountain View Middle School and Sidney Gutierrez Middle School.
Roswell Symphony Orchestra Student Recital
The Roswell Symphony Orchestra held their first annual Spring Student Recital on April 6 at AMoCA. Nine students performed — 3 soloists and two trios. The students wrote essays about how music education benefits their lives and they received two coaching sessions with Roswell Symphony Orchestra musicians to prepare for the performance. Student performances featured were Claire Cobel, piano; Raley McBroom, oboe; Emily Stephens, voice; The Stinehart Trio and Goddard High School Clarinet Trio.
Student musicians waiting in the green room.
The Goddard High School Clarinet Trio.
Lively Piano Studio Recital
The Lively Piano Studio held their Spring Piano Recital at AMoCA on May 11. Approximately 30 students performed for the audience of family and friends. A reception was held afterwards in the museum.
