"Our New Mexico Desert Community"

military heights elementary school

Roswell, New Mexico 1999

8 feet x 40 feet

 

The scope of the project was to include not only the visual arts but the landscape, history and native flora and fauna, including learning the state flower, insect, animal, bird, etc.  Months of research followed by teachers at Military Heights and by the artist, exploring native vegetation, animals and habitat, and obtaining visual documentation.

 

The goal of this project was to re-introduce visual arts to a public school where virtually no training in the arts exists.  Through the process of drawing and painting, natural dexterity, hand eye coordination and perception is improved.  The students learn to share and work together toward a common goal.  It is the nature of such a large project that diverse factions within the community will be brought together, hopefully increasing understanding and tolerance of our rich diversity.

 

Mary wanted to give back to the community something as meaningful as the Roswell Museum and Art Center Artist in Residence program has been to her.  She believes in the ability of the Arts to enact positive social change and give an individual a sense of self worth.  She also advocates artist involvement within the community to make the world a better place.

 

Mary Josephson dedicates her work on the project to the Community of Roswell in hope that the children will be encouraged to follow their dreams.