Art Incubator

In keeping with the historic tradition of art in Carrizozo, Warren and Joanne Malkerson have established an ambitious and comprehensive program to encourage and nurture the growth of the business of art in our town. All the buildings and activities are centered around Old Historic 12th Street in downtown Carrizozo.

Gallery 408, which opened April 5th, 2005, is a contemporary art gallery featuring the works of over 25 artists — 70+ percent of whom reside in or around Lincoln County. It includes an outdoor sculpture garden that displays a number of large art works that are meant to draw in visitors as well as entertain and enliven potential customers’ courtyards or driveway entrances.

Part of the gallery complex is a two story historic building next door that serves as both rental art studios and classroom facilities for the teaching of the arts. Over 200 students have taken different and unique art classes at this facility over the past three years. There is space for 5 different art studios in this building and they have been well received and occupied since they first opened in December of 2005.

The historic Lutz Building will house an additional 15 artist studios on the second floor centered around a common salon, an antique/art gallery on the main floor that encompasses over 6,000 sq ft of space and a basement space of over 7,500 sq ft dedicated and available for art shows, exhibits, and classrooms. This will be the largest building dedicated totally to the Arts in all of Lincoln County.

The Artist’s Retreat and Conference Center is a 1930 adobe home on 20 acres that can accommodate up to eight people nightly. It has wonderful grounds and open spaces that promote creativity.