STUDIO SUMMER BREAK

OFFCenter will be closed for summer break from July 3 through 13. We'll reopen on the 14th. We'll still be on Facebook, of course, and blogging, and answering your emails.

Stay cool next week!

Felting Workshop Review

Sharie's Studio Journal

The Felting Workshop was fun and informative. I learned something I did not know - a loose translation of how felt came about - a man walking across the desert in uncomfortable shoes padded them with wool. The shoes were easier to wear in his trek. At the end of his journey he removed the "wool" and found it had packed and meshed together to make felt. Here are a few pics of those participants in the workshop. The result -- a piece being held up by the young man.

Come to Summerfest Country Night -- TONIGHT

<--OFFCenter will be up the stairs, to the left of the stage.

Yes, we'll be back at Summerfest on Civic Plaza tonight from 6:00 until about dark, sharing free art projects with you and your families. We'll be on the upper level, with lots of room and art materials at our tables. Come see us!

Felting Workshop: Felting Art...From the Start

Saturday, June 27, 2009
10 am to 12 pm

Immerse yourself in the natural, magical technique of felt making!

Individual wool fibers are laid out and a hands-on process combines the wool with soapy water to create a non-woven fabric called felt.

Drawn from the ancient Central Asian craft of felt making, the material created by this process is nothing like the acrylic squares found in craft stores. Students will have the opportunity to make an individual finished product such as a felt rope bracelet, bookmark, coaster, or penny pouch.

Note to people with wool allergies, we will be using natural wool fibers in our projects.

Instructor Jane Heider has fourteen years of teaching experience and a life long passion for art making.

Cost: $15
All materials will be provided.
Please call OFFCenter to register.
Class limit: 10 people -- don’t wait too long on this one!

FIBER FANFARE

Sharie's Studio Journal

Well it was just that - a FANFARE! We had about 200 attendees and everyone looked to be having a great time. The story tellers were great and had good audience participation and interactive stories. And the fashion show - what can I say - it was a show! Ilene emceed and did a fabulous job. Ayren not only modeled her own creation but provided the music for the models to strut their stuff down the runway. It was a great collaborative effort between Hip Stitch and OFFCenter. We appreciate the loan of some great vintage hats from Larry's Hats. Thanks to everyone who helped make this one of the liveliest events held at OFFCenter. GREAT JOB designers, artists, models, and the many volunteers!!! Without you we could not have done it. Sharie

Artmaking at Summerfest 2009

OFFCenter will host a free artmaking booth during Albuquerque Summerfest 2009, with unique take-home and collaborative art activities each night.

Saturday evening was Cajun night, and we guided many new friends in mask making, bead stringing, hair beading and making shakers to dance to that Zydeco beat! We might have done a little dancing ourselves!

Pictured here are a couple of happy mask making friends.

Fiber Fanfare Opening June 18, 5-8 p.m.

• Multimedia artist & storyteller Brenda H. Marley!
  
• Acclaimed storyteller & educator July Rose!
  
• PLUS the Fiber Fanfare Fashion Show!
  
• with hats from Larry's Hats!
  
• Wear your finery! Surprise Raffle!
  
• See The Pez Suit by Steve White!

From flags to felt, fleece to frills. From fringe to filament...frippery to fuzz and flax to flannel. Exploring the many ways in which artists express themselves through fiber.

Many fiber-related items on sale in the gift shop too!

Show on exhibit through July 28, 2009.

Art Workshop with Leighanna Light

Join us as we dive into transforming the mundane into the extraordinary! We'll have a blast altering found dolls to make them look like unearthed relics.

The class is called "Resurrecting Charlotte," and we are so thrilled to have Leighanna back in the studio with us again.

Go to the OFFCenter website to download the complete, downloadable flyer with supply list and statement from the artist.

As usual, the class fee for this all-day event includes many various art supplies and materials that Leighanna will provide.

Cost is $75.00.
Class size is limited to 15 students.

Contact OFFCenter to register.

For more about Leighanna, visit her blog at www.lklight.blogspot.com

Further Evidence of the Harts' Generosity

The reorganized sewing center looks so inviting with not 1, and not 2, but now 3 sewing machines! This area of the studio had become increasingly in demand as Karen Hart, a part-time Albuquerquian and artist friend of OFFCenter, had shared her sewing skills with studio artists younger and older.

Last night after our monthly Board of Directors meeting, we snapped a couple of photos of "the twins," Karen and Gil's anniversary gifts to . . . OFFCenter! There they sit, idle at this late hour, our new "speed demons" for seamsters and seamstresses, sturdy machines for our many quirky projects.

Thank you again, Karen and Gil!

art X change with 516 Arts June 13, 2009

Gallery Talk, Slides & Art Demos

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Here & There: Seeing New Ground artists Cheryl Dietz & Tim Horn discuss their creative process at 516 ARTS, followed by a reception/ art demos at OFFCenter Community Arts Project.Please call 247-1172 to expressyour interest.Thanks! Open and freeto the community.

10 am Artist Talk at @ 516ARTS,516 Central Ave,SW

11:30 am Reception/Art Making at OFFCenter @theOFFCenter studio,down the street at 808 Park Ave SW

building community through artmaking

Happy Anniversary

Sharie's Studio Journal


HAPPY ANNIVERSERY TO THE HARTS

Karen and her hubby Gil have been in and out of OFFCenter for many months now and have pitched in and been very supportive to OFFCenter whether in Albuquerque or back home. Well Sunday June 7 they celebrated their wedding anniversary by donating two new sewing machines for use by OFFCenter artist. The machines have some really nice features. Thank you for this great gift to OFFCenter. Sharie

We have a graduate!

Congratulations! Savannah Moya is the first graduate from our iCreate sponsored free Wednesday afternoon guitar class. Savannah learned five songs by heart and performed the songs solo for an audience of open studio artists last Wednesday to complete the program. For her hard work she received a free guitar from iCreate instructor Kay! All students are eligible to earn an instrument by completing the program requirements which are: 1) attend at least 12 classes. 2) learn 5 songs by heart. 3) perform the 5 songs to others.

THANK YOU to Golden Crown Panaderia (on Mountain just East of 12th St.) for their delicious donation of pizza for the First Friday Coffeehouse on June 5. If you want to eat more of their pizza (or their tasty biscochitos, fruit empanandas or great breads including NM green chile bread) drop by to see them and enjoy their patio and their beautiful prickly pear garden.

THANKS also to Nick's Crossroads Cafe at 400 Central Ave for the coffee they generously provided. Our sponsors would love your support!

First Friday Coffee House.

Sharie's Studio Journal

Well First Friday came and went and if you weren't there I am sad you missed out on some great music and some Irish humor. I'm pretty sure that the band member Brian has "kissed the Blarney Stone." This is a great opportunity for you to meet new friends, see friends you may not have seen for a while or just listen to some good music, look at art and even buy some art. Sharie

FIBER FANFARE

Sharie's Studio Journal

Hi folks,

Here is more on the FIBER FANFARE:

Art Opening "Fiber Fanfare" June 19 5-8 PM
Exploring the many ways in which fiber artists express themselves. Storytelling preformances by Brenda H Marley and July Rose plus an "Oh, Oh, Oh It's Fabric" Fashion Show!!!

For more details, call or drop by the studio.

Sharie

FIBER FANFARE June 19

This date is fast approaching and we don't want anyone to be left out or miss this upcoming event at OFFCenter. Art is done with so many varied media and fiber / fabric is not so readily recognized as art in general. We really want to honor and highlight all forms of art so we are having FIBER FANFARE to do this for artist who use fabrics and fibers to make art. If you are interested in participating and want to submit art for this show there are entry forms available at OFFCenter and the last date for art to be accepted for the show is end of day 5:00 PM June 12 no exceptions. The show opening and reception will be June 19 starting at 5:00PM til 8:00 PM(ish). We will have a fashion show vintage hats and apparel. The sculpture is by OFFCenter artist Joey Goss. Fiber Art can have many looks from Joey's great sculptures to painted canvas floor cloths to recycled denim jeans in the form of purses or gift bags that look like cowboy boots. and much more. You don't want to miss any of this beautiful art. A story teller to share her story with us. There will be food and lots of fun and art to look at and purchase. Remember OFFenter Gift Shop for unique one of a kind gifts for friends and family. Don't forget those graduates. We also have gift certificates available. Hope to see you there!! Sharie

FLOORCLOTH FUNSHOP

Sharie's Studio Journal

I say funshop because it truly was more fun than work. The art of make an ordinary piece of canvas a beautiful accessory for decorating you home is really a great deal easier and more fun than you might think. Mary Ann Corley taught a small group of students this technique. Using ordinary house paint and other acrylic paints turned blank pieces of canvas into works of art. These clothes can be used as table runners, floor cover under a table or your chair at your desk to protect your carpet, or hang them on your wall; shoot you can even create your own specially designed placemats for your dinner table. More than one participant was new to OFFCenter and all had a great time and more than once commented on how much fun they were having and they are looking forward to coming back to the studio to make art. Later ya'll----Sharie

Recognition of OFFCenter Artists

Sharie's Studio Journal

Hats off to the New Mexico Magazine for having the ability to recognize talent and let others know of the accomplishments of OFFCenter artists and supporters. The June issue in their BOOK BRIEFS section they have spot lighted the 2009 ALBUQUERQUE ALMANAC edited by Amanda Gardner journalist, writer,artist and supporter of OFFCenter Community Art Project. This publication is available at OFFCenter and "Mandy" (as we know her) is in the process of gathering stories and other appropriate informational submissions for the upcoming 2010 ALBUQUERQUE ALMANAC. CONGRATULATIONS--- Mandy. By the by for those of you interested in trying your creative writing skills Mandy is in the studio on Thursdays at 3 P.M. for a writers class. Come join the fun and learning is great and its free. Of course donations are always accepted.

Recognition of OFFCenter Artists

Sharie's Studio Journal

The May issue of the NewMexico Magazine there is an acticle under Unique Boutique entitled Great in the Sack. The article is about a variety of handbags created by several New Mexican artist but on page 69 OFFCenter's own Lisa Page and her vintage necktie purses are spotlighted. Check it out and check out her purses available in the OFFCenter Gift Shop. You Go Girl!! CONGRATULATIONS !!!!

Sharie