Gallery Talk with Delilah Montoya Thurs. Mar. 12

Building Community Through Artmaking

Delilah Montoya, artist and curator of the show Chicana Badgirls, will give a gallery talk at 516 ARTS for all OFFCenter Artists. OFFCenter will then host a reception and tour of the OFFCenter studio for Delilah. This is a wonderful change to exchange ideas, knowledge and experiences with each other.

Sponsored by OFFCenter and 516 ARTS

Thursday, March 12, 2009

• 3:00 p.m. Guided Tour @ 516 Arts, 516 Central Ave SW
• 3:30 p.m. Gallery Talk
• 4:15 p.m. Reception @ OFFCenter Studio, down the street at 808 Park Ave SW

Please call 505-247-1172 to express your interest. Open and FREE to the community.

Call for Entries: "The Exquisite Corpse"

Origins of The Exquisite Corpse:

"Among Surrealist techniques exploiting the mystique of accident was a kind of collective collage of words or images called the cadavre exquis (exquisite corpse). Based on an old parlor game, it was played by several people, each of whom would write a phrase on a sheet of paper, fold the paper to conceal part of it, and pass it on to the next player for his contribution. The game was adapted to the possibilities of drawing, painting and collage, by assigning a section of a body to each player, though the Surrealist principle of metaphoric displacement led to images that only vaguely resembled the human form." (from Experimental Drawing, by Robert Kaupelis)

Entry Instructions:

• There are no restrictions on media or material to be used.
• The finished work must be ready to hang and assemble end-to-end into a 2 feet wide by 6 feet high finished piece.
• Each completed entry must be the work of a TEAM of artists - it is suggested that a team consist of at least three or four artists.
• Each TEAM must decide how to divide the 2’x 6’ space into sections representing elements (for example: head, heart, belly/soul, legs, feet, etc...) of a complete whole.
• Each TEAM must decide on the degree of relationship between each panel and what or if a particular theme will be depicted (not necessarily human!).
• Often each panel is slightly referenced on its adjacent panel but this is at the discretion of each team/artist.
• Each artist must then complete his or her vision independently of the other artists in their group.
• When all sections are complete the group will discover their "exquisite corpse" and make any final decisions regarding the hanging order.

Show dates: March 20 - April 17, 2009. Stay tuned for more details on the date(s) for delivery of artwork.

NOTE: OFFCenter receives a 30% commission on the sale of artwork in the gallery, and 20% commission on the sale of shop items.

FOR AN ENTRY FORM please drop in at OFFCenter, or email Mary Lambert at mary@nmia.com or Mary Tafoya at mary_tafoya@yahoo.com to request a PDF version of the Entry Form. Please put Exquisite Corpse in the subject line.

Yes We Have a Donation Button!

<---In case you hadn't noticed, look left!

OFFCenter is revamping the way we sustain our free open studios, hot coffee, warm smiles, cool classes, and popular annual community events (such as the House Tours and We Art the People Parade and Folk Festival).

Though we're still very successful in receiving and sustaining grant funding, those dollars have shrunk considerably, so we're putting our creativity to work and stepping up as individuals to give what we can.

So, when we put a Donation Box near the front door of the studio, we also put a Donation Button on our blog. This makes it easier for friends near and far to remember OFFCenter when they have a buck or three to spare.

Soon, you'll see a variety of donation buttons on our soon-to-be redesigned website too, to allow friends and fans of OFFCenter to choose to make monthly contributions, pay for classes, support a special fund such as Emerging Artist scholarships and children's programs, or make one-time donations via Paypal, bank transfer, or a credit card.

For now, go ahead and try out the our blog Donation button, if you can. Paypal provides us with a secure transaction site that you can trust, and you'll get a verification of your donation in your email box. Remember, your donations to OFFCenter are tax deductible.

To make a donation:

1. Click the Donate button.
2. Enter the amount that you'd like to donate.
3. Click the Update Total button.
4. a.) If you already already have a Paypal account, no additional setup is required. Enter your email address and password to log into Paypal.
   or
   b.) If you'd rather use a credit card or bank transfer, click the Continue link (below the line that says "Don't have a Paypal account?" Then follow the instructions to provide the info Paypal needs to accept your donation to OFFCenter.

Last week one of our Board members asked a group of online beaders to "test" the button by making small contributions and then giving feedback on how it worked for them. So far so good! We're extremely grateful to the following folks for responding to our call, and we're amazed that good folks like the ones below clicked in from so far away to support our local community arts project.

A GRATEFUL THANK YOU from OFFCenter to:

Nancy in Aurora, and Betcey in Rollinsville, Colorado

Pat from California, Chris in Forth Worth

Nikia at Buy The Kit, Albuquerque and Sarah in Las Vegas, New Mexico

Dulcey and Carol from Minnesota

Chris from Juneau, Alaska and Jen in Pennsylvania

and

Linda, all the way from London, England!

We couldn't do what we do without you!

Funky Found Object Canvas Village Feb. 28

Leighanna Light is back at OFFCenter with another Saturday workshop!

"In this workshop we will create our very own imaginary village using a variety of techniques to build thick deep layers on canvas. We will use paint, paper, fabric, fibers, found objects & gel to create amazing depth & dimension. Learn many new tips & tricks including how to obtain a beautiful encaustic look without using messy hot wax & crock pots. Please join us for a fun, relaxing day of inspiration & art making! This is a project oriented workshop. You should be able to leave with at least one finished canvas, three if you work fast!"

Saturday, February 28, 2009

10am - 4pm -- Cost:$70.

Reservations required – must pay in advance to reserve a seat.

• three 8 x 8 or 6 x 12 stretched canvases,with at least a 1-1/2 inch edge. An inexpensive source for this is http://www.cheapjoes.com/ - look for “Joe’s prime really good canvas,extra deep” A package of 5 is $14.49 plus shipping. You can also work over a canvas that has already been painted.
  
• At least 8 oz. of REGULAR gel medium, semi gloss or matte. This is important - you will not be able to participate without this.
  
• 4 oz.of glue, PVA is best,available at Papers! – we will have some to share if you don’t have any.
  
• Several paint brushes, a ruler & scissors or use what OFFCenter has.
  
• A small palette knife - OFFCenter has a few of these also.
  
• A heat gun or a blowdryer if you have one – several will be available.
  
• A FEW of your favorite acrylic paints (if everyone brings 2 or 3 & is willing to share, we should be fine) or use what OFFCenter has in stock.
  
• A variety of small found objects to embed into your canvas - flat game pieces, lace, fabric, metal, buttons & gears or use what OFFCenter has in stock.
  
• A variety of papers, dictionary pages, old handwriting, maps, wallpaper, decorative papers will all work well or use what OFFCenter has in stock.

Off Center Reaches Out - And In

When I heard that Off Center was planning an exhibit entitled "Trust the Hand That Makes It Round," I decided to use the concept as a prompt at a creative writing workshop I lead at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center way on Albuquerque's West Side. What's round at the jail could be round anywhere:

Round face, round table, round circle, round thoughts, round the bed, roundabout, round the block, round and round, anything that's round. If you were to pick one thing round, what would you be? As for me, I think I would be a round circle, perfect, flawless, never-ending but yet never beginning. One continuous flowing creation formed in natural surroundings. Because all things formed in nature are perfect to a certain degree. To be a natural perfect circle, that's for me. – Kimberly M.

My butt is round, nice and round. It sticks out. It makes all the men shout. How round it is and big too. it's nice to have. If you work out, maybe you can have one too. – Catrina D.

Meat we eat
It's on our lunch tray
We have it every day
Yes! Bologna –- Catrina D.

Round and round we go
We stop in jail and most
Go round and round
Again . . . . -- Catrina D.

Everything round is the path I seem to be taking and endless circle back to the same old sad senseless situation. The drugs, depression, desolation. As I look to the sky and see the roundness of the sun rise I realize how nice it would be to see it and be free from within these walls. As I lay on my bunk with these walls I catch a glimmer of the roundness of a full moon. "A falling star," "I make a wish." Let the same old circle come to an end so I can walk a straight line. – Lisa Y.

Everything round is like time on a clock
Everything round is like my world is handing upside down
Everything round are smiles turned into frowns
I sure wish my world was the same as a child playing round and round
But now as I've grown I see the heavens and clouds moving to infinite domains as we all go in circles round and round. -- Cheri B.

First Friday Coffeehouse March 6, 5-8 pm

First Friday Coffeehouse

March 6th, 5-8pm

with a live music performance @ 6:30 with Dennis Overman and The Cerrillos Islanders hosted by Bonnie Bluhm: Funky folky original songs, banjo, guitar + vocals with our ongoing art exhibit, Trust the Hand that Makes It Round celebrating our humanness and ability to create the round world together, sponsored by The NM Art Therapy Assoc.

~~~Also, visit The Shop!@ OFFCenter! Original arts by OFFCenter's Emerging Artists ~~~

Two Continuing Ed Workshops (CEUs) at OFFCenter

THE CREATIVE PROCESS/LATE WINTER CYCLE
Six CEU's $138. Discounts for Groups $125. Saturday, February 21 9:45 to 5:15

In this late winter workshop, toward the end of the season of coldness and hibernation, we will look at how to be with continued slow growth even as spring arrives. We will access our energy, insight, and creativity through expressive art and writing, group interaction, and stimulating discussion.

THE ETHICS OF NATURE
Approved for six CEU’s in Ethics $138. Discounts for Groups $125 Saturday, March 7 9:45 to 5:15

Content will focus on processes and cycles in nature and the environment which illuminate the processes in the therapeutic relationship and other relationships. We will explore ethical dilemmas, right action and personal and professional ethics through expressive art and writing.

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Visit http://www.skyfields.net to sign up for these OFFCENTER Continuing Ed. workshops using your credit card or send check and registration information to:

Jane Shoenfeld
PO BOX 5912
SANTA FE , NM 87502

Call Jane at 505-986-1108 for more information about all courses. Please inquire about cancellation policies.

Happy Valentine's Day from OFFCenter

Won't you join us?

Tue - Thurs Noon to 8 pm ~ Fri Noon to 5 pm ~ Sat by appointment

Heart Day's Night Gift Sale Photos

Here are just a few of OFFCenter's studio artists who set up for a special Valentine's Day Sale on Sunday, Feb. 8:

Sharon sold sweetly scented heart-shaped sachets.

OFFCenter founder Janis Timm-Bottos, visiting from Canada,
shops with Susan of House of Tische.

Sherri's recycled purses are always a hit.

Breeze Wise and Clancy Francis share a booth and a smile.

Kathleen Schweitzer's booth was chock full of her
greeting card line and paper crafts.

Marion proudly displays one of her handmade altar cloths.

...and Jude charmed us with romantic piano music.

Star Tunnel Book Making Workshop -- Feb. 14

Saturday, February 14, 1pm – 4pm, STAR TUNNEL BOOK MAKING

In conjunction with the "Trust the Hand that Makes it Round" exhibit, Linney Wix will teach this fun bookmaking class. You will learn to make a triple layered accordion fold book with cut out windows for seeing into and through the layers. It can stretch long or fold into a four-pointed star.

Linney has taught bookmaking in the Art Education Program at UNM for eight years and is an Art Therapist. Materials will be provided.

Cost: $5 per person No registration required.

Stitching with Sequins Workshop -- Feb. 14

Saturday, February 14, 10am – 1pm

Mary Tafoya will help you solve the mysteries of sewing sequins to fabric using several different stitches, with and without beads: spot stitch, lines, scales, and floral motifs.

In this class, you will work on fabric and felt to create a sampler of stitches that Mary has explored and discovered over several years studying old European, East Indian and Asian surface embellishment and embroidery.

Mary Tafoya is a nationally known beadwork artist, teacher and writer whose work has been featured in numerous books and exhibitions. Currently, she works in various media and creates a line of recycled jewelry for her online shop. http://www.marytafoya.etsy.com/.

Be sure to bring reading glasses if you need them!

Cost: $35. Scholarships are available. Registration required. 12 person maximum. Call 505-247-1172

Visitor Notes from Trust the Hand that Makes it Round

Wow! Over 300 people attended last night's opening at OFFCenter. The show, Trust the Hand that Makes it Round, called for art in all media that fit the unifying theme -- we saw suns, moons, mandalas, and more in paintings, sculptures, assemblages, silk, beadwork, ceramic, photography, and everything in between. There were even decorated cookies!

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Patti Littlefield, Mark Weaver, and Bonnie Bluhm and friends provided soulful, jazzy musical entertainment all evening.

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Sales were brisk (a real boon to emerging artists, who retain a 70% commission on gallery sales), and the food was plentiful!

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We were also thrilled to welcome art therapist Janis Timm-Bottos, founder of OFFCenter, who was visiting Albuquerque from her new home in British Columbia.

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Tough economic times have hit OFFCenter hard this year, but oddly enough, shrinking grant funding has galvanized the community. Judging by the awesome attendance and positive energy last night, the revitalized OFFCenter community of emerging artists, devoted board, hardworking staff, and generous donors can steer the Project toward a new model of sustainability.

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(By the way, are you interested in showing your work at OFFCenter? When you see the next call, bring something down to the studio...)

Jesse Reno is Coming to Albuquerque!

We are so excited to have nationally known outsider artist Jesse Reno come to OFFCenter for three days of teaching in March! Jesse will share his techniques for layering media to create spontaneous and amazing personal imagery.


The workshops are filling fast, so contact Leighanna Light at lklight@copper.net if you're interested in joining us. She's handling the registration details. Workshop dates are Saturday, March 21 (one-day workshop), and Sunday-Monday, March 22-23 (two-day workshop). There are only a few slots left.