From the collection of bronze statues lining the streets, to the library featuring a 15' x 46' mural by Peter Hurd, this small town has big appeal.
It's not just about the oil derricks that surround the town, there's a rich tradition of arts, culture and community in Artesia.
Artesia’s two impressive theaters, the Land of the Sun and the Ocotillo form the core of an emerging arts district downtown.
- Artesia, NM -
Posts: 13
Ocotillo Performing Arts Center
Southeast Region: Artesia
Constructed 1935. The Ocotillo Theater was built in 1935 by theater owner and developer C.W. Bartlett and his son Ray, who built and operated several historic theaters in Artesia. The Ocotillo was converted to a popular cafeteria in the 1950s. The Artesia Arts Council acquired the Ocotillo in 2001 and Read more…
Old City Hall
Southeast Region: Artesia
Constructed 1939. The Old City Hall was built with WPA funds in 1939. It is currently being used as an office building and is managed by Artesia MainStreet. As WPA (Works Progress Administration, a depression-era program) building project, it brought several City departments together under the same roof, including the Read more…
Peter Hurd Mural – The Future Belongs To Those Who Prepare For It
Southeast Region: Artesia
Constructed 2013. Commissioned by Prudential Insurance in 1952 and painted by Peter Hurd, this striking mural was painted directly onto a 15’x 47′ plaster wall and weighs 58,000 pounds. The wall was rescued from a building in Houston before its demolition and transported to Midland, Texas where it was housed Read more…