30th Anniversary

Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program 30th Anniversary Celebration

RAir 30th Anniversary

The galleries of the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art were alive with music, laughter and warm greetings on the evening of June 28, 1997, as more than 150 people joined in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program. Surrounded by the powerful and imaginative works of art produced by the resident artists, those attending where reminded of the energetic creativity that the RAIR Program has supported over the last three decades.

The festivities also served as a reunion for over thirty former residents who came back to Roswell to eat, dance and reminisce about their "Gift of Time". Earlier that afternoon, the AMOCA also hosted a publication and book signing party for former artist-in-resident Luis Jimenez's new book "Howl", a survey of Luis' work by author Camille Flores-Turney with an introduction by David Hickey.

The following afternoon Don and Sally Anderson hosted a pool party for the former grantees at their home. In a setting typical of the informal generosity of the Andersons, reunion artists had an opportunity to catch up on old friendships that are such an important feature of this unique program.

Later, a delightful evening buffet was served on the patio of the residency "compound" where so many of the guests have lived and worked over the years. It was an evening full of memories of the time to create, experiment and grow they had all enjoyed.

The celebration was an opportunity to reflect on the history of the Artist-in-Residence Program, conceived of by businessman and artist Donald B. Anderson in 1967.