Many times I have passed by a large art installment in historic downtown Artesia, New Mexico, called "The Derrick Floor." Back on July 26, 2024, I finally stopped to check it all out. The life-sized sculptures are part of the History in Bronze collection and can be viewed by vehicle or foot along the Artesia Mural Trail. In particular, The Derrick Floor represents the discovery of oil and other fossil fuels. My dad was a long-time oilfield mechanic, so this depiction, the plaques, and the very deliberate design all hit home for me. This is very dangerous, yet, rewarding work. Here is a link to Artesia MainStreet Arts & Cultural District: https://www.artesiamainstreet.com/acd Thank you, Artesia and your many supporters and partnerships, for preserving and displaying this history. #grateful #BlackGold #TheDerrickFloor read more

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Three bronze sculptures here in the middle of Artesia's "Oil Pioneer Plaza" were dedicated on April 24, 2004 as part of the 80th anniversary of the first commercial oil well in southeastern New Mexico. The first, "Partners" depicts oilmen Mack Chase and Johnny Gray leaning on the hood of a ickup truck. The two local men went into the oil and gas business in 1972, and for 20 years ran a successful company making most of their business deals this way: no lawyers, and just a sun-baked truck hood desk. The second is "Woman's Intuition" and depicts Mary Yates sitting on a spool of cable, pointing to a spot on the ground. Her husband had drilled two dry wells, and the Yates' hired geologist refused to pick another. So Mary chose a spot and said, "Drill there." Her husband did, and struck oil on April 9, 1924, ushering in the Artesia oil boom. The third sculpture, "Derrick Floor," is a full-size 37-foot-high drilling rig created by artist Vic Payne. According to its plaque, the sculpture is meant to ennoble the workers "who take the risks and do the work to find, produce, and refine New Mexico oil and gas." Street parking is available and after you've checked out the sculptures, check out the rest of Artesia! [Review 17440 overall - 53 in New Mexico - 958 of 2022.] read more

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