Dear friends,
What makes Artesia so special? That is the question I am often asked when friends call to catch up. Each time I begin to explain the goodness of Artesia, my friends compare it to Stars Hollow. While we may not have New England’s fall foliage, we do have that same “special sauce” that ties us all together. And though Stars Hollow’s charm is fictional, the wonder of Artesia is very much real.
I see it at our local coffee shops, where friends and neighbors gather to visit and catch up. I see it in our restaurants and shops downtown, where visitors are welcomed like family. I see it in the eyes of tourists discovering our murals and sculptures for the first time, and most importantly, in the faces of children and families experiencing the fun and joy our Main Street brings to life.
Nearly 30 years ago someone had the inspiration to bring the MainStreet program to our community, and what a beautiful journey it has been. I am sure even they could not have imagined the blessings this Downtown District would bring to all who take the time to explore it.
Thousands of people gathered at our Oil Patch Markets this summer, where local gardeners shared their bountiful harvest with those of us who were not blessed with green thumbs. What started last year as a small Tuesday evening “carb fest” has blossomed into a true growers’ space—one that now features fresh produce, flowers, plants, and locally made goods like goat milk soaps, lotions, perfumes, and essential oil tinctures.
This summer also brought new life to our beloved Heritage Walkway. After receiving some much-needed TLC, the water feature is once again flowing and the power is back on, just in time for our fall and winter celebrations! Visitors can stroll through and admire the custom tiles that honor our agricultural roots and the hardworking farmers who helped shape Artesia’s story, or pause to appreciate the beautifully restored Mapes Mural, which illustrates the rich history of our community.
I also want to take a moment to congratulate and thank long-time volunteer and Arts & Cultural District Coordinator, Nancy Dunn, who was recognized this October at the New Mexico MainStreet Conference in Alamogordo. Nancy served on the Design Committee for 28 years, and her role as ACD coordinator was instrumental in launching our Downtown Mural Program. There are many people who make Main Street the special place that it is, and Nancy is definitely one of them. With her help, we will once again begin our mural program this spring. Our fourth student mural, sponsored by Written in Red Foundation, will be installed in the spring at Guy Chevrolet!
As we look ahead, Artesia MainStreet remains committed to being a community partner and providing a place where memories are made, friendships grow, and the beauty of Artesia continues to shine. Please visit our website artesiamainstreet.com or our social media profiles to stay updated with all things downtown!
Artesia MainStreet thanks the Drake, Martin, & Lyles families along with Cowboy Electric LLC for their work on the Heritage Walkway.
Destiny Rojo,
Board Member,
Artesia MainStreet
Artesia MainStreet
510 W. Main Street
(575) 703-0841
ArtesiaMainStreet.com
Facebook: @Artesia.MainStreet
Letter originally published in Focus Regional 2025 Winter edition.
Destiny Rojo
Destiny has served on the Artesia MainStreet board for seven years. She is passionate about Downtown Revitalization and making Downtown Artesia the place to be. As a lifelong Artesian, Destiny enjoys visiting the library and the public art in the Artesia MainStreet District. She also enjoys giving tours of the Arts and Cultural District. In her free time, she loves walking her dog, Lucca.
