ART NM! is a New Mexico Arts and Culture Day community celebration, presented by New Mexico’s arts advocacy organization, Creative New Mexico, and hosted by the Artesia Arts & Cultural District in partnership with the Artesia Aquatic Center. ART NM! In Artesia will take place April 30, 1:00-3:00 pm.

Creative New Mexico is a non-profit that connects, promotes, and advocates for the arts/creative individuals, organizations, industries, and communities statewide. Historically, New Mexico’s creative industries have generated $5.6 billion for the state’s economy. The creative workforce has been larger than construction and manufacturing combined. Unfortunately, the creative sector was one of the hardest hit by COVID. The ART NM! event is meant to communicate the value of arts and culture in post-COVID recovery, economic development, and community renewal and prosperity.

ART NM! is a family-friendly, free event occurring in eight communities across the state in April. Individuals can make art; engage in the visual arts, music, and theater; and learn about the diverse creative resources that are available in each community. Funding for ART NM! comes, in part, from a grant through New Mexico Arts, a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.

Artesia’s event will be a come-and-go art party in the Artesia Aquatic Center’s party room 1-3 pm, as the new Community Art Wall debuts.  The entire wall will be turned into a 3-color chalkboard, for visitors to add their art to!  In addition, private parties can create their own personalized decorations, and over-heated swimmers can cool off inside while drawing.  Everyone is invited to come on by and leave their designs up.  Light refreshments will be served.

To learn more about Creative New Mexico and its activities, or to join its network of creative advocates, visit the website www.creativenewmexico.org