The month of October proved to be the busiest so far this year for the Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center, with a resounding 701 people signing the guest book.
The spike in attendance can be attributed to the completion of the museum’s new Art Center.
Before the Art Center was completed, museum manager Nancy Dunn said she felt she had to schedule programs off-site and tidy up current displays in an attempt to keep attendance afloat.
“During construction, visitation tanked,” said Dunn. “People weren’t even sure if the museum was open.”
The Art Center’s grand opening, complete with a quilt show featuring creations by the Artesia Quilters Guild, was held in early October. Throughout the month, the museum staff kept busy by hosting a multitude of events, including Artesia MainStreet’s Design Committee meeting, a sugar skull workshop in association with the Artesia Public Library, and a Dia de los Muertos celebration, complete with arts and crafts activities.
“More people showed up last month than the rest of 2015,” Dunn said. “And now I’m anticipating a slowdown period in the upcoming months.”
To combat the holiday-season ritardando, Dunn is planning on hosting events people of all ages and backgrounds can get excited about and will make announcements in the Daily Press as they become available.
The museum will set up a traveling exhibit titled “ReDress: Upcycled Style” in January, where recycled high fashion will be on display. The exhibit will be in the Art Center from Jan. 9 – April 9.
