Dear Friend of the Arts, In this, the 31st season of the Placitas Artists Series, we are excited to be able to present a fine mix of new performers and returning favorites as well as five Willy and Friends concerts. Our guest soloists this year include: in October, internationally acclaimed Greek guitarist, Antigoni Goni; in December, long time PAS favorites, Sol y Canto featuring Placitas native Brian Amador, his wife Rosi, and Paul Lieberman; in February, the renowned Merling Piano Trio is featured; and in April, we have Van Cliburn gold medalist Hoachen Zhang.  The popular Willy and Friends series continues with old friends such as The West Shore Piano Trio, oboist Robert Ingliss, and new friends, QTango, who will present the history of Tango. The PAS mission encompasses the visual as well as the performing arts.  Each month we have artists representing a variety of 2-D and 3-D media.  These juried art exhibits showcase the work of New Mexico artists.  The artwork is for sale and a portion of the sales helps support PAS.  In addition to the exhibits, PAS conducts a competition for a new “brand” image.  This year Peter Böhringer’s work graces our program book and website and his work is on exhibit in February. We welcome all ages and encourage adults to expose their children to live performances of chamber music and to art.  Students K-12 are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult, and other students with a valid ID are admitted at a reduced fee.  The artwork is on exhibit all month and can be viewed during church hours and at all artist receptions at 2pm, one hour before each month’s concert. We offer an incredible, inspiring artistic experience organized by a group of hard- working board members and volunteers.  Many others provide needed support to make this all possible.  If you are interested in volunteering or becoming a board member, please contact one of our board members.  Please patronize our concert sponsors, donors, and advertisers.  I would also like to thank you for contributing to our Annual Operating Fund and our Endowment Fund.  On behalf of the board, I thank you all for your support and attendance.  Enjoy our 31st anniversary season to the fullest. Sincerely, Alan Firestone President 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 Journal 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 Quartet 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 thirtieth season! * * * Sally Curro is a founding member of the Placitas Artists Series and continues to serve the organization as a board member emeritus