March 14 | 2:00 PM
Shuler Theater | Raton, NM
Join the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library (AJML) as we officially launch the 2026 NEA Big Read in Raton at the historic Shuler Theater!
This exciting kickoff event will introduce our community-wide reading of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach and preview the engaging lineup of activities planned from March through June. Attendees will learn about upcoming workshops, nature walks, creative writing sessions, arts and media projects, and community conversations — all inspired by this year’s thought-provoking selection.
ABOUT FUZZ
What’s to be done about a jaywalking moose? A bear caught breaking and entering? A murderous tree?
In Fuzz, New York Times bestselling author Mary Roach dives into the surprisingly complex world of human-wildlife conflict. Blending humor, science, and fascinating history, Roach explores how communities navigate encounters with bears, mountain lions, elephants, and more. Three hundred years ago, animals were assigned legal representation and put on trial. Today, the answers lie not in the courtroom but in science — at the crossroads of wildlife biology and human behavior.
For mountain and mesa communities like ours in northern New Mexico, where encounters with wildlife are part of daily life, Fuzz offers a timely, humorous, and insightful lens into coexistence.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE KICKOFF
* An introduction to the NEA Big Read program
* Overview of Fuzz and its themes
* Preview of spring and early summer events
* Opportunities to get involved in workshops and activities
From March through June, the NEA Big Read will bring together local artists, educators, scientists, and community partners for reading discussions, creative writing workshops, arts and media projects, nature tours, and public forums designed to spark curiosity and conversation.
The program will culminate on June 27, 2026, with a public film screening and panel discussion at the Shuler Theater, showcasing community-created work and highlighting the power of literature, creativity, and dialogue in deepening our understanding of nature — and our place within it.
� Come be part of a community-wide exploration of storytelling, science, and coexistence.
All are welcome!
Also check out other Arts events in Raton, Workshops in Raton, Theatre events in Raton.
