History & Mission

Our Mission The Placitas Artists Series is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering public appreciation of the performing and visual arts in Central New Mexico. Our mission is to present high-quality musical performances and art exhibits in a stimulating setting; to promote regional talent through community involvement in the arts; and to provide out- reach programs to our community. A History of PAS The birth of the Placitas Artist Series came about as a result of the happy confluence of a couple of timely events as well as the vision and eager participation of several Placitas folks. In 1984 the Las Placitas Presbyterian Church completed its new sanctuary and the pastor and congregation were eager to promote and share it with the larger Placitas community. One concert had been held there and the acoustics proved to be very fine indeed. Around the same time a group of string musicians recently arrived in Albuquerque from Mexico formed what became the Helios String Quartet and began looking for performance opportunities. The wife of the organizing cellist was a reporter with The Albuquerque Jour- nal with friends in Placitas, who suggested she interview the pastor of the church for a story idea. The resulting article was “Placitas Church Serves as Hub: Varied Activities Foster Spirit of Community.” The other result of that interview was an idea: a Helios String Quar- tet concert in the new sanctuary! The success of that concert seemed to beg for more of the same and a committee was formed to set in motion a whole series for the following season. The pastor, the church treasurer, the church music director, the cellist, the friend, and a local artist organized themselves into the first board of directors, chose a name, wrote by-laws and planned the concerts. The pre-existing local art shows in the church’s fellowship hall would be promoted alongside the concerts and would later be incorporated into PAS itself. After its first season PAS incorporated as a not-for-profit 501(c)3, wholly independent of the church. PAS is currently celebrating its thirty-sixth season! * * * Sally Curro is a founding member of the Placitas Artists Series and continues to serve the organization as a board member Emeritus