Rio Rancho Art on the Mesa
Art is for everyone!
Inspiring creativity and bringing all-ages art education and exploration to Rio Rancho.
Whether you’ve been creating for years or you’re just picking up a paintbrush for the first time, there’s a place for you here! We believe art is for everyone, and we’re passionate about offering creative experiences in a welcoming, encouraging environment where you can explore, learn, and grow.
About Us
Rio Rancho Art on the Mesa launched in September 2023. The primary focus is on the process of art, meaning the end product is not the primary focus. The emphasis is on the experience, not the outcome. This program celebrates the discoveries each artist makes while creating their unique artwork. Participants of all ages will learn and work in all mediums and our kids focused programs will teach several skills, from learning about famous artists, colors, and color blending to fine motor skills, cognitive and creative thinking, and more.
Our offerings are organized into two main program areas: youth-focused classes like Mini-Monet and Kids Art Club (starting fall 2026), and our Open Arts Studio experiences for teens and adults, which include Gather and Learn - each designed to support creativity in different ways.
Remember art is for everyone.
Youth Programs
creative experiences for children and families
Mini-Monet:
Art history and creative exploration, right in your classroom!
Kids Art Club:
Starting Fall 2026!
More information and registration details will be available in August.
Open Arts Studio
creative experiences for teens & adults
Gather:
Bring a project, try something new, and make alongside others
Learn: Photography
If this is a workshop you'd like to see in the future, let us know - we'd love to bring it back when there's enough interest.
Support the Visual Arts in Rio Rancho
All donations are appreciated - whether you choose to give a one-time gift or set up a recurring monthly contribution. Monthly donations are an easy, affordable way to provide ongoing support, helping Rio Rancho Art on the Mesa sustain its programs and keep creative opportunities accessible to the community.
Meet the Artistic Director
Listen to our recent interview on KDSK! Click play below.
Jen Doolittle is a professional photographer, arts administrator, and artist with over a decade of experience in creative leadership, community engagement, and program development. She has always believed everyone is creative and that art has the power to heal. Jen fell in love with photography as a child, fascinated by her dad’s camera and the stories tucked inside family photo albums. Today, her work explores identity, memory, and emotion by transforming the familiar into something new. As she continues her BFA in Art Studio with a minor in Arts Leadership and Business, she has expanded her creative practice through drawing, painting, and collage, strengthening the creative and administrative foundations she brings to her work in community arts.
