Fall Newsletter 2020
The Roswell Artist-in-Residence Foundation
The RAiR Foundation
A Tribute to Donald B. Anderson 04/06/1919 - 06/07/2020
Add your own memories & photos of Don on the RAiR Memorial Page
Many thanks to VISION reporter Christina Stock for writing a five-part article on the life of Don Anderson, to the Roswell Daily Recordfor publishing the series, and to the many relatives, friends and former RAiRs who were interviewed and shared their stories.
The Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program
Still from Utopia Process, Video, 04:34, 2018 by WANG Chen.
RAiR News
As the pandemic stretches on, we are more conscious than ever of the great gift that the residency bestows. The staff at and artists at RAiR are especially grateful that the design conceived by our founder Donald Anderson with its separate houses and studios allows for each artist to shelter in place uninterrupted. We are truly fortunate.
Two new residents joined the compound on July 1st. WANG Chen originally from China comes to us from NYC. Chen is a multimedia artist whose work incorporates installation, hand-made costume, performance, drawing & animation to create digital videos that depict fantasy worlds where she examines gender, sexuality, and politics.
Debra Smith who attended RAiR in 2010 is back for a three-month residency. Debra uses antique silk kimono fabric to create visually stunning compositions. Color, pattern, and texture are elegantly utilized in sewn pieces that range from the intimate to the grand in scale.
The Roswell Museum and Art Center has been closed to the public since March but beginning September 9th, exhibitions will be viewable by appointment only. Because of the gap in shows, three RAiR exhibitions are currently installed in the museum. Contact the RMAC for a tour. The artists’ lectures are being aired over Zoom on Saturday nights and will eventually be archived on the artists' bio pages. Watch our Instagram feed and Facebook page for more information.
Tonee Harbert opened his show "Through the Static and Distance" at RMAC on March 27th, A sweeping array of sumptuously printed black and white photos. These works provide an intimate look at Roswell’s least cared for parts of our material culture; revealing the rich texture from the onslaught of time, elements and humanity's destructive impulses.
Jordan Ann Craig, opened her RMAC exhibit on August 15th titled, "Your Favorite Color is Yellow" on July 15th. Jordan uses traditional Northern Cheyenne beadwork designs to create minimalist paintings that are fiercely traditional and formally rigorous. Her paintings rely on her keen, highly personal sense of color with titles that point to a rich inner life.
Michael Waugh also opened his RMAC exhibit on August 15th titled, "A Fable for Tomorrow". Michael uses the technique of micrography or pictures made from minute handwriting to provide added meaning to literary and political texts. Using text form a 1962 environmentalist work, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, Michael builds allegorical landscape from text through which domesticated and wild animals struggle to survive.
Larry Bob Phillips, RAiR Program Director (RAiR 2009-10)
Tonee Harbert: Through the Static and Distance at RMAC
Jordan Ann Craig: Your Favorite Color is Yellow at RMAC
Michael Waugh: A Fable for Tomorrow at RMAC
Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art
AMoCA News
AMoCA resumes regular hours! After 163 days (we counted!), AMoCA is now open at 25 percent capacity. HOURS: M-F 9-4; Sat-Sun 1-5.
AMoCA was closed from March 19 to August 29 due to the pandemic, but we didn’t rest on our laurels! A grant from the New Mexico Humanities Council is enabling Jessica Parham to continue working on an audio guide project started years ago by students. We’ve also updated our museum entrance information and RAiR group photo wall, and begun the process of transferring our artwork database to an on-line collections management system that will eventually become publicly accessed and enjoyed.
INSTA-DETAILS UPDATE
With the museum's reopening, “Detail-a-day” ended this week on #163 on the Anderson Museum Instagram page. The photos are also shared on the Anderson Museum Facebook page. Future posts will include full gallery shots and other surprises, so keep following us!
Sculpture by Ed Vega (RAiR 1982-83)
AMoCAcquisitions
Randall, Bailey, Vega
SV Randall (RAiR 2019-20), SIDE DOOR, Acrylic on carved Polystyrene, MDF, wood, vinyl and epoxy 36 x 50 x 80 in.
Erica Bailey (RAiR 2018-19), Above the Clouds (RAiR Studio 4), Extruded polystyrene, wood, styrene plastic, joint compound, paint, acrylic rod, polymer clay, electrical tape, wire, aluminum flashing, LEDs, looping video on 32" monitor, 14" x 24" x 30", 2020.
Ed Vega (RAiR 1982-83), unknown title, circa 1983, brushed steel, 27.5x31x20; Donald B. Anderson Memorial Gift from Brinkman Randle, from the estates of Matt and Bob Cress.
Diorama by Erica Bailey (RAiR 2018-19)
GIFT SHOP ON-LINE
Items are being added weekly to The RAiR Shop. Prices include the tax and shipping for shopping ease. Soon to come will be prints of Don Anderson paintings, recently professionally photographed by former RAiR Tonee Harbert. Thanks Tonee!
MEMBERS ONLY
In lieu of a member’s only performance or event this year, the RAiR Foundation/AMoCA members will be treated to a special gift coming this fall via the post office. Membership is an important resource for the museum’s upkeep even when our doors were closed. Levels begin at an affordable $20 and run from Jan. 1-Dec. 31 yearly. It’s not too late to become a 2020 member and receive your special gift later this fall. https://rair.org/support
Many thanks to our 2020 Fans, Friends and Fanatics!
Nancy Fleming, AMoCA Director
Historic Studios at Berrendo Road
Historic Studios News
The Historic Studios at Berrendo Road has been a peaceful respite in the middle of the “Covid” storm. Our compound is full with “Retreat Artist" Tali Weinberg, photographers Shoshannah White and Tonee Harbert (RAiR 2019-20), oboist Della Kate Graham, painters Justin Richel (RAiR 2020), Shannon Rankin (RAiR 2016-17), Josh Hagler (RAiR 2017-18) and Maja Ruznic. (We are also so happy and grateful to have a new member of our community born just 1 month, ago Mila Aletheia Hagler, daughter of Josh and Maja.)
The Historic Studios at Berrendo Road is the site of the original Roswell Artist-in-Residence and is now on the United States National Register of Historic Places. The Historic Studios have been transformed into affordable housing and studios for visual artists. All of our rental spaces are currently filled. However, we offer 2 houses and studios dedicated for the "Fee-based Artist Retreat" opportunity for a period of 6 months or 1 year. This is designed to provide an opportunity for tenured art faculty on sabbatical, professional artists, or curators to experience the Southwest, while living in an artists community. The retreat provides a furnished house, utilities, wifi and 500 square foot studio space with high ceilings and north light. The retreat spaces have been filled through 2021. Applications for January 2022 openings are available at http://rair.org/historic-studios-retreat
Diane Marsh, Historic Studios Director (RAiR 1980-81, 2002)
Untitled, ink, oil, and wax on collaged topographic map, 2020. A collaboration between Joshua Hagler and Shannon Rankin for Postcards of Positivity, during the Pandemic, an online exhibition on view through September 13, benefiting artists and Artist Relief—a support fund for artists affected by COVID-19.
RAiR Alumni
If you are a RAiR Alum, please keep us updated with your accomplishments and current contact information. Share your upcoming exhibitions, events, and achievements, as well as other forms of artistic excellence. Submitted requests will be considered for the website, digital mailings, social media, or print pieces.
Want to connect with current and former residents of the RAiR Program? Join the RAiR Alumni Facebook Group
The Roswell Artist-in-Residence Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program (RAiR), the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art (AMoCA), and the Historic Studios at Berrendo Road.