HISTORY

In February, 2004, the Rio Rancho Public School’s Fine Arts Division presented a lecture series, “The National Overture of Education and the Arts” sponsored by a D.C. based organization, the Institute for Education and Arts. As a former fine art educator, and artist , Delma Petrullo attended a number of the lectures, each time becoming more and more enthusiastic about how the arts affected the quality of education in Rio Rancho and how they could affect the quality of life in the city as well. When asked to speak at a lecture in March on that very subject Delma knew she had to find away to bring the arts to the young, but fast-growing city. The Rio Rancho school system was already encouraging and supporting the value and worth of culture and the arts in a community and beyond by educating its students through its outstanding system-wide arts curriculum and giving them opportunities to perform or exhibit their talents at various school sites throughout the year. But, there were no such organized programs or opportunities available to the public at large. She knew she had to find a public forum that would launch the arts and culture as essential elements in the growth and continuance of the city.

As this lecture series continued it became obvious that many saw the same need. It was decided that the community should establish an arts advisory council to the city. In short order Debbi Moore, the Executive Director of the Rio Rancho Chamber of Commerce, coordinated a meeting that included interested residents, artists, musicians and performers, city directors and other representatives. By the end of the summer a core group had accepted the daunting responsibility of bringing culture to Rio Rancho and named their alliance the ARTsLink.

In order that the monumental task of establishing the arts in the city could be done in a more manageable manner the group was divided into three components, Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Public Arts, each headed by an ARTsLINK co-chair. Delma Petrullo became the Visual Arts Chair and began the task of locating as many local artists as possible with the intent of creating an association for professional and semi-professional artists and anyone who was a supporter of the visual arts.

A “call-to-artists” letter was sent out and by September the Rio Rancho Art Association was being established. Delma accepted the presidency and a dedicated Board of Directors was quickly found. Lead by Delma, the officers, Linda Woestendiek, Vice President, Debbie Werkmeister, Treasurer, Carol Sawyer, Secretary and the chairs, Joanne McDevitt, Membership, Evelyn Peters, Public Relations, Cathy Varney, Exhibitions, and Jackie Pruitt, Programs came together, wrote by-laws, a mission statement, drew up the papers of incorporation and took care of other legalities and began planning the future events that would establish RRAA as a vital institution dedicated to creating an identity for the city of Rio Rancho while giving the public the opportunity to enjoy the fine arts branch of the arts.

The newly established Rio Rancho Art Association held its first public meeting at the Esther Bone Memorial Library on October 28, 2004. No less than 23 enthusiastic artists signed on as members that same evening and within a month the membership more than doubled.

The Rio Rancho Art Association continues to grow by leaps and bounds, just as the city to which it is dedicated to giving “cultural and educational enrichment of the community” through the visual arts.