"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or a guest artist please contact Sara Flores. Volunteers: The program is taught and facilitated by an all volunteer multidisciplinary team with a variety of arts backgrounds. For more specific information about the program instructors further information is provided below.
Sara McNie Flores founded the Artist Inside Program in 2005. She is the Artistic Director & President of the program. Sara has been a volunteer art instructor working with young men in the criminal justice system since 2003. She had seen first hand the extraordinary amount of artistic talent they possess. Sara created the Artist Inside program after recognizing the immense need for more opportunities for creative outlets among the artists inside. Sara believes all the arts: visual, music, movement & theater are not only therapeutic but also “liberating.”
Sara is a photographer and a college instructor in Women's Studies at NMSU, her primary research interests are therapeutic & self-representative photography. Besides volunteering & teaching, Sara has been a Registered Dietitian (R.D.) since 1990 and also works in health care in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Sara received her B.Sc degree from Indiana State University & her graduate degree from New Mexico State University where she graduated with honors, receiving her Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in prison(er) education.
Sara can be reached at TheArtistInside@aol.com or via telephone at: 575-525-2333
Jose Flores, M.D. is a family physician in Las Cruces, New Mexico and a multi-media artist. He is originally from Los Angeles. Jose has been with the Artist Inside Program since its inception. Currently he is the Artist Inside Program's Director of Community Relations and Vice President. Jose practices family medicine in Las Cruces, New Mexico at Rio Grande Medical Group. He can be reached via email at: TheArtistInside@aol.com
Karline Valentine joined the Artist Inside Program in 2008. Karline is the Choir Director at Chaparral Middle School in New Mexico. Karline also has a private voice and piano studio and does early intervention therapy with autistic children. Karline is the Director of Development of the Artist Inside Program and lead musician and instructor for the Artist Inside Music program. Karline can be reached via email at: MusicInsideAI@aol.com or through her Music Studio Website at: Valentine Music Studio.
Dr. Joseph Sylvan is Professor of Music History and Literature at New Mexico State University. Since coming to NMSU in 1985, Dr. Sylvan has performed in no fewer than 1200 concerts locally, regionally, and internationally as concertmaster, section member, soloist, conductor, chamber musician, and recitalist.
In addition to Dr. Sylvan’s extensive musical activities, his interests include portrait and landscape oil painting, as well as collecting antique art; astronomy and astrophotography (he owns an observatory and several fine telescopes and cameras); and collecting fine (mostly antique) violins and bows. Dr Sylvan began volunteering as a guest lecturer/musician with the Artist Inside Program in 2008.
Dr. Heather Oesterreich is an assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at New Mexico State University. Heather has been instrumental in locating funding and awards for the Artist Inside Program. Heather and Sara were the winners of the 2006 French Annual Improvement of Secondary Teaching Award. This award is the most prestigious external award given by NMSU’s College of Education. Heather also received an award from the educational resources center for "Creating Spaces for Agency for Incarcerated Youth through Art" in 2007. Heather serves as the Artist Inside Educational Advisor.
Laurel Butler is a theater educator from Boulder, CO. She received her BA in Performing Arts, Pedagogy and Community Cultural Development from Hampshire College in 2006. As an artist-educator with Enchanted Circle Theater, Laurel taught and directed theater programs at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke, the Holyoke YMCA, and in Pre-K through 12 classrooms throughout Massachusetts. She has been a drama teacher at Hopkins Academy and Hampshire County Correctional Facility, and co-founded the Projeto SolArte arts education program for children in Salvador, Brazil. She recently served as Theater Education Coordinator for Working Classroom, Albuquerque, and is the Director of the Multi-Arts Theater at the Idyllwild Arts Academy Summer Program in California. Laurel is currently a graduate student in the Master’s Program for Theater Education and Outreach at the University of New Mexico.
Robin
joined the Artist Inside program in 2008, teaching yoga at the
Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center. Robin worked with youth for many years as a social worker and is thrilled to be working
with young people again. As a volunteer educator and grant writer,
Robin has served with Very Special Arts, the Memphis Zoo, the
V.I.S.I.O.N. program of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Fractal
Foundation, and the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Robin has
written and co-directed theatre productions for Our Own Voice Theatre
Troupe in Memphis, TN, a group that encourages the artistic expression
of those marginalized by mental illness. She has been studying music
for over 20 years, and has performed with the Western Kentucky Symphony
Orchestra and Kubitana, a Zimbabwean
marimba ensemble in Albuquerque. She studied psychology and social
development in both undergraduate and graduate school at Western Kentucky University and is a 200
RYT through the Yoga Alliance.
We can be reached at:
Telephone: 575-525-2333
Snail mail: P.O. Box 595 Mesilla, NM 88046
We are always happy to hear from anyone interested in our program and we also enjoy hearing from our former students. (We remember each and every one of you.)
“No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth." Robert Southey (English Poet and Writer of prose. 1774-1843)
We can be reached via phone, email or snail mail.
Phone: 575-525-2333
Mail: P.O. Box 595 Mesilla, NM 88046
Email: Art/Photo Program: TheArtistInside@aol.com
Music Program: MusicInsideAI@aol.com
Theatre Program: ActorInside@gmail.com
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world. " Mohandas Gandhi
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
Sara McNie Flores founded the Artist Inside Program in 2005. She is the Artistic Director & President of the program. Sara has been a volunteer art instructor working with young men in the criminal justice system since 2003. She had seen first hand the extraordinary amount of artistic talent they possess. Sara created the Artist Inside program after recognizing the immense need for more opportunities for creative outlets among the artists inside. Sara believes all the arts: visual, music, movement & theater are not only therapeutic but also “liberating.”
Jose Flores, M.D. is a family physician in Las Cruces, New Mexico and a multi-media artist. He is originally from Los Angeles. Jose has been with the Artist Inside Program since its inception. Currently he is the Artist Inside Program's Director of Community Relations and Vice President.
Karline Valentine joined the Artist Inside Program in 2008. Karline is the Choir Director at Chaparral Middle School in New Mexico. Karline also has a private voice and piano studio and does early intervention therapy with autistic children. Karline is the Director of Development of the Artist Inside Program and lead musician and instructor for the Artist Inside Music program. 
Dr. Joseph Sylvan is Professor of Music History and Literature at New Mexico State University. Since coming to NMSU in 1985, Dr. Sylvan has performed in no fewer than 1200 concerts locally, regionally, and internationally as concertmaster, section member, soloist, conductor, chamber musician, and recitalist. 
Dr. Heather Oesterreich is an assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at New Mexico State University. Heather has been instrumental in locating funding and awards for the Artist Inside Program. Heather and Sara were the winners of the 2006 French Annual Improvement of Secondary Teaching Award. This award is the most prestigious external award given by NMSU’s College of Education. Heather also received an award from the educational resources center for "Creating Spaces for Agency for Incarcerated Youth through Art" in 2007. Heather serves as the Artist Inside Educational Advisor.
Laurel Butler is a theater educator from Boulder, CO. She received her BA in Performing Arts, Pedagogy and Community Cultural Development from Hampshire College in 2006. As an artist-educator with Enchanted Circle Theater, Laurel taught and directed theater programs at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke, the Holyoke YMCA, and in Pre-K through 12 classrooms throughout Massachusetts. She has been a drama teacher at Hopkins Academy and Hampshire County Correctional Facility, and co-founded the Projeto SolArte arts education program for children in Salvador, Brazil. She recently served as Theater Education Coordinator for Working Classroom, Albuquerque, and is the Director of the Multi-Arts Theater at the Idyllwild Arts Academy Summer Program in California. Laurel is currently a graduate student in the Master’s Program for Theater Education and Outreach at the University of New Mexico. 
Robin
joined the Artist Inside program in 2008, teaching yoga at the
Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center. Robin worked with youth for many years as a social worker and is thrilled to be working
with young people again. As a volunteer educator and grant writer,
Robin has served with Very Special Arts, the Memphis Zoo, the
V.I.S.I.O.N. program of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Fractal
Foundation, and the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Robin has
written and co-directed theatre productions for Our Own Voice Theatre
Troupe in Memphis, TN, a group that encourages the artistic expression
of those marginalized by mental illness. She has been studying music
for over 20 years, and has performed with the Western Kentucky Symphony
Orchestra and Kubitana, a Zimbabwean
marimba ensemble in Albuquerque. She studied psychology and social
development in both undergraduate and graduate school at Western Kentucky University and is a 200
RYT through the Yoga Alliance. 
We can be reached at: