RAiR News

RAiR News

The Roswell Artist-in-Residence is still hot but there’s something in the air that reminds us that clear blue skies and the smell of roasting chili are right around the corner.

George Rodart opened his show Painting in the 21st Century at the RMAC on July 20. The Winston gallery was packed with colorful, boisterous paintings. George completed ten large paintings and several medium-sized works, an impressive achievement. His one-year residency will soon be coming to an end but he plans to stay in Roswell for a while. His insight and willingness to share his deep experience are a welcome addition to our community.

Qwist Joseph has finished his year-long residency. After he picks up his work from Peters Projects in Santa Fe will be off to teach ceramics at the University of California, Redlands. Qwist’s gentle enthusiasm has been vital to making the quality upgrades in the wood, metal and print shops possible.

With the arrival of resident Tonee Harbert and his partner Shoshannah White in June we launched upon a digital room upgrade. We purchased a new desktop Mac, a new scanner and a great new printer and rearranged the room adding a custom 4 X 8-foot rolling table to trim the new larger prints! It was truly a team effort that has maximized the functionality of this great space!

Tonee and Shoshannah are also helping in an effort to create short video spots that express the basic attributes of the residency. These videos will be helpful for grant reviewers to get an accurate sense of all the great things we offer told through images and residents' own words. It has been a powerful experience to reflect upon the residency - we look forward to sharing our work soon!

Larry Bob Phillips, RAiR Program Director (RAiR 2009-10)