Six Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue stations received a unique gift from a local artist last month to show appreciation for their assistance.
Valerie Peterson, a painter since she was 16, said she wanted to give the fire houses some of her art after she overheard a few first responders talk about how bare the walls were at the stations. “When those firefighters have to spend 72 hours at a time in these houses, I thought this art would make them feel better,” she said.
Aside from this kind gesture, Peterson said she has been very active for many years in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho art communities.
“I started out drawing when I was young,” she said. “My grandmother was also an artist and so I started watching her and learning from her.”