OFFCenter Artists Haul in State Fair Ribbons

This year three OFFCenter artists entered work into Expo New Mexico State Fair art exhibitions. Gloria Hajduk won First Place and Best of Show for her entry in the Stamped Book catagory. Koffi Mbairamadji's acrylic paintings picked up a Best of Show, a Second and two Thirds. Henry Kennison won two Second place awards for his mixed media compositions. All three of artists are extraordinarily dedicated and talented. Congratulations from everyone at OFFCenter and our extended community! Koffi and Henry also brought along a few ribbons from previous State Fairs to brighten up their photos.

Sharie's Studio Journal

Hello everyone!! It has been a while since I have been able to "blog" You know the old saying when it rains it pours?? Well it certainly has in my life this year so I have not been in the studio as much as I would like to but the Saturday hours have helped. On one such Saturday last month I was talking with my friend, artist and former board member Juanita Sanchez. Since her retirement from Sandia Labs she has done several things to stay busy and most recently she has been driving a group of Senior Citezens to various places to preform musically. This summer they traveled to Las Cruces to compete in Senior Olympics. Wel-l-l-l-l Juanita competed too and came home with two Gold Medals. One medal was for reading an original poem that she wrote (she is a published poet). The other medal was for her musical talent she played an original composition on a Native American flute. Juanita is a multi talented person witty and funny and I consider myself priveledged to know her and to be able to call her friend. Congratulations!!! Juanita, on your two Gold Medals.

Call for Submissions!

Craft Punk 3 Raises $3000 for OFFCenter! OMG!

After hearing that OFFCenter Arts was going to be the beneficiary of Craft Punk 3 for the second time this year we felt a little numb from the remarkable generosity and support shown towards OFFCenter and the many artists who use and benefit from our free community studio. We were fascinated by the passion and creativity of the Craft Punk artists and send our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in the event at the Launch Pad on Friday, August 13th. Our special thanks goes out to Crystal Sims of Evolution Body Piercing and her capable team whose vision and dedication made this year's Craft Punk event a smashing success!!
http://www.evolutionpiercing.com/

A Shout Out toTerry Begay

Terry epitomizes the spirit of OFFCenter's community art studio. Passionate and capable, friendly and funny, Terry alternates as a teacher and student who constantly experiments in his work blending traditional and modern into his unique artistic expressions. Hungry to learn and eager to share his knowledge, Terry is a positive influence on every artist in the studio. Today we honor Terry's acceptance into the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe where Terry will pursue his artistic development through higher education.

Reminder: OFFCenter Closed July 1-3

OFFCenter will be closed Thursday July 1, Friday July 2, and Saturday July 3. Have a happy and safe July 4 holiday weekend and we'll see you again on Tuesday July 6!

Summer fun at OFFCenter and Downtown Grower's Market :)

Summer is in full swing at OFFCenter with our new Saturday 10am- 2pm hours, coinciding with the dates of the Downtown Grower's Market. You can find great OFFCenter art and support your local artists at the OFFCenter table at the Downtown Grower's Market at Robinson Park (just across the street from OFFCenter) every Saturday morning from 7 - 11 am this summer. Then after 10 am you can come across the street to create your own art too! OFFCenter... Make Art, Buy Art, Meet New Friends!

Ninos y mayores, Children and elders final exhibit

exhibit - Children and Elders intergenerational workshop

runs through June 18th

This exhibit features a series of collaborative art works produced by neighborhood children and elders over the last several months.

The project brought children and elders together to interact, share and explore each other’s lives in a variety of exercises facilitated by educator Roberta Marquez at the Barelas Senior Center .

This project was made possible, in part, by a grant from New Mexico Arts, Department of Cultural Affairs for the State of New Mexico .

Call for Art: Things in the Air

Things in the Air
Entries due July 9th and 10th.
Exhibit Opens Friday, July 16th 5pm –8pm

Is it a bird? a plane? a UFO? a kite?

Unleash your imagination and let it soar using this year’s theme for the “We ART the People” folk festival!

• A call for art in any medium for a non-juried community art show.
• Entries limited 2 pieces per person please.
• All work should be dropped off by Saturday, July 10th . no entry fee.
• For further information call 247-1172.

OFFCenter Proud to Host Senior Project Art Exhibit!

Sandia Prep Senior Project

Daisy Santistevan

Traditional & Digital Photography Exhibit

Exhibit Opens June 9th, 5 - 8pm

Up through June 12th

Daisy told OFFCenter:

"Daisy Santistevan is a recent graduate of Sandia Preparatory School committed to bringing her artwork to life. This photo show is a portrait project meant to show different sides of a person in black and white film versus color digital. She did all the work by hand in a photo lab at her school for A Senior Project in order to help her graduate. The senior project is something all the seniors do; the senior class takes the last month off of school to work for 30 hrs/week for no pay in order to prep themselves for the work world they are going to enter right after high school if they're not already in the world of work. "I anticipated a lot of work," recent graduate says, "but i definitely didn't anticipate THIS much." Daisy Santistevan is going to go to the University of New Mexico this fall and is looking forward to many art classes, including: ceramics, photography and illustration. Anyone and everyone is invited to enjoy her show, Opening June 9th at 5pm and up through Sat. June 12th at 2 pm.

Special "thank you"s go out to Michael Hudock, Ellen Santistevan (*mom), Artisan art supplies, Sandia Prep, Cody Rixse, Joshua Chappell, Mark Santistevan jr, Chelsea Huff, Corey Norman, Jeremy Maloy, and Joseph Gonda."

Congratulations Daisy! We're proud of your hard work in art and photography and wish you a long, creative and productive future! OFFCenter is proud to host this event.

Marci's Cuttin' it Up! Albuquerque the Magazine!

Kudos to Marci!

OFFCenter shop manager and artist-extra-ordinaire Marcia Sednek keeps finding new audiences with increasing popularity and interest in her unique "RE"creations.

Ashley M. Biggers of Albuquerque the Magazine recently interviewed Marci for an article as Albuquerque's "Creatives" highlight (photos by Liz Lopez) for the June 2010 issue.

Get your copy now!

http://www.abqthemag.com/current/7.php

OFFCenter at the Downtown Grower's Market

Yeehaw! OFFCenter will have a booth this year, every Saturday, at the Downtown Grower's Market.

We'll be selling our great one-of-a-kind quirky handmade crafts, recycled and repurposed goodies for your home, and gifts for your loved ones. As usual, a huge chunk of the selling price goes right back to our artists, so you know you are supporting our mission -- which is to provide economic development opportunities for emerging community artists.

Stop by and say hello when you go the market.

Here's the where and when of it all:

2010 Opening Day entertainment by Joe Daddy & the Fat Cats/ Higher Ground Bluegrass.
Jun 5, 2010 (and every Saturday through October!)
7:00 to 11:00am

Robinson Park 8th & Central S.W.Albuquerque, NM 87102

(right across from OFFCenter!)

Folk Art Festival 2010 -- CALL FOR ARTIST VENDORS

We ART The People Folk Art Festival and Giant Puppet Parade
September 12, 2010 (Sunday)
10am - 5pm
Robinson Park - 8th and Central SW

Heads up Fellow Artist and Crafters – OFFCenter’s upcoming "We ART the People" Folk Art Festival will be accepting applications for booths starting on JUNE 1st, 2010.

Please note: Only handcrafted work made by the booth artist will be accepted and displayed in our annual Folk Art Festival.

We heard your suggestions last year and we are assigning booth space this year. Booth reservations are on a first come, first served basis. So if you know the spot you want you will need to do the following:

1. Come to OFF Center starting on Tuesday, JUNE 1st. (No early applications will be accepted.)
2. Ask for Marcie.
3. Please bring a sample(s) or photo(s) of your handcrafted work that you will be displaying.
4. Fill out the application in person.
5. Choose you booth location(s)
6. Pay via cash, check or credit card -- booth fee is $30.00

We have a large map at OffCenter that has the park divided in 117 booth spaces. There is a perfect one for each and every one of you!

We look forward to your participation. If you have any questions please call Marci for more information at 505-274-1172.

Beeswax Painting & Collage Workshop

Art workshop with Lindy Hurst

Sunday, June 13, 1-4pm

Have fun painting & collaging with pigmented encaustic. The results are very exciting and beautiful even if you have never drawn or painted before!

Just bring some small sketches, drawings, and/or pictures and favorite embellishments and collage materials.

Cost: $35

Space is limited to 12 people, so call 505-247-1172 now!

Registration & pre-payment required.

Lindy has an MFA from UNM. She has been teaching all ages and levels in New Mexico -- from little kids up through college level and beyond for more than 20 years.

The most common blessing, a poem by Tani Arness

Albuquerque poet Tani Arness, who read at OFFCenter a few months back, sent us this excellent poem today:

The most common blessing

I.
The long-tailed birds are calling to me.
They are calling me into the coppery
brambles of winter. They keep promising
a pretty treat, a shree, a pretty treat, a feat. . .

II.
I have wrapped the sun under one arm
and the moon under the other
and I am prepared to carry them
as far as necessary—

III.
Reflections of yesterday and tomorrow shadow
the smalls of my eyes—
photos of birds on a wire,
songbirds balancing ecosystems in their beaks.
Birds are the most common blessing—
we forget to etch with ink their eyes—deep black.
I want to find, in art, my healing. . .
the first etching—a bird on a pole,
the last etching—a war song of sparrows.
Each moment the crows call to each other.
Each moment we listen or we don’t listen.

IV.
The ripple, jagged with affection,
is not right or wrong,
it simply loves us.
Can you understand
such a thing?
The mountains surrender their form to horizon,
The wind whispers over flickering black stones.
When will we let the world love us?


V.
All our relations,
each crane, each goose,
restores
a piece of the living.
I Feel it in the hollow of my bones,
the blue dusk. . .
Nothing more is necessary.
The stars fold the sky
into my direction.

VI.
I race with black-tipped wings
and white face into the curve
of canyon. The sky a path of rivers—

June First Friday Coffeehouse with Jasper!

Friday, June 4

Come listen and dance to the popular eclectic rock and roots band trio JASPER.

JASPER features Frank McCullough III on electric guitar and banjo, Terry Bluhm on stand-up bass, and Jefferson Voorhees on drums and percussion. All three members contribute vocals.

Special guest: Singer/songwriter George Page

~Singer-songwriter Bonnie Bluhm hosts.
~Doors open at 5 pm. Music starts 6 pm and ends about 8:30pm.
~Ongoing art exhibit is SHELTER.
~Admission is free and coffee and refreshments will be available.
~The OFFCenter Art Shop will be open featuring the work of over 100 local folk artists.

All ages welcome! A community art making table will be set up for you and your family to make art throughout the evening. See you there! Big Fun Tonight!!

A Pass The Hat Production.

Susan Zimmerman's Silent Auction House

A subtle rendering by Susan Zimmerman.

Visit Susan's website: http://www.szimmerman.com

SHELTER Exhibit Opening -- Friday May 7

FIRST FRIDAY EXHIBIT opening:

“SHELTER: A Refuge for Mind, Body and Soul”
Friday night, May 7th, 2010 5-8pm free

Whether in a tent, in a friend’s company, or by reading a good book, everyone seeks refuge from the world’s stresses and dangers. Once sheltered, we begin the process of restoration.

An open community exhibit running through June 8th.

iCreate guitar class graduates will provide music.

A Message from the Board

Dear OFFCenter Community,

WOW! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone who helped make OFFCenter's 5th Annual Albuquirky House Tour such an amazing success.

We had TWICE the number of attendees this year compared to last year, largely thanks to the exposure we received in last weekend's Albuquerque Journal article. Volunteers (planners, house volunteers, musicians) did a fantastic job!! KUNM and Whole Foods helped out a ton also with promotion and refreshments!!!

A great success that helps OFFCenter to be able to continue to provide all the wonderful things OFFCenter does! We look forward to seeing all of you and more again next year.

Margaret Lopez, OFFCenter Board of Directors President

Photo by Deanna Nichols. Visit Deanna's website.

Thank you Silent Auction Artists

Your creativity inspired our new friends and community members. Your contributions of "little houses" helped us double our target goal for the 2010 Albuquirky House tour.
THANK YOU!

Visit our website for a complete list of Silent Auction artists. Stay tuned to this blog for more images and accolades.

We're still here -- thanks to you!

Sneak Peek Photo of another Albuquirky House

Here's a sneak peek, courtesy of Deanna Sauceda and crew at KRQE News 13, at another of the three homes ticket purchasers will get to tour on the 2010 Albuquirky House Tour fundraiser for OFFCenter.

Click the photo above to see the video that aired on KRQE. Click the Albuquirky House Tour links for details and tickets purchasing infor.

Thanks in advance for helping OFFCenter keep on serving up free art studio space for the good citizens of Albuquirky.

Tickets, by the way, are available right up to the Tour -- which begins at 1:00 this Saturday! (OFFCenter opens at 12:00).

Thanks, Stephanie Lerma

Let's add Stephanie Lerma to the list of local artists who have donated a "house" to our Silent Auction, to be held on Saturday, May 1, in conjunction with our annual Albuquirky House Tour.

Here's a bit of info about Stephanie, courtesy of OFFCenter friend Bethany (Buffy) Nelson's House of Figs:

http://www.house-of-figs.com/artists/stephanie-lerma/index.htm

OFFCenter Artists Celebrate Recyled Art and the Earth!

Visit the OFFCenter booths as we celebrate this year's Co-op Earth-Fest theme: "Making Change" at:

The Co-op’s Annual
Celebrate the Earth Festival
Sunday, April 25,
10am-6pm
BEHIND THE NOB HILL CO-OP, ON SILVER STREET BETWEEN CARLISLE AND TULANE
For a schedule of events, artists, musicians and more visit www.lamontanita.coop

Then venture across Central to see OFFCenter Artists Marcia Sednek and Susan Tische at
The 4th Annual Nob Hill Recycled
ART SHOW
SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 10-5PM SPONSORED BY MASKS Y MAS FURNITURE,
OUTSIDE AT 111 CARLISLE NE, AT COPPER
more info at http://www.dukecityfix.com/events/4th-annual-nob-hill-recycle

Thanks to the Co-op, Kenny Chavez & Kiko Torres for inviting OFFCenter artists who reuse materials in innovative ways!

OFFCenter will be on the Radio - 4/24 & 4/25

Thank you, Art Ortega of "Weekly Edition," for taking time - 15 MINUTES OF AIRTIME - to let listeners across 8 radio stations hear about OFFCenter Community Arts Project. We're very grateful to have had the opportunity this morning to let you know about some of the goings-on at OFFCenter.

The whole OFFCenter Community and the rest of Albuquerque can tune in at the following times and stations to hear Art's interview with OFFCenter's Ron Breen and Adabel Allen.

Time Station Dial Position

8:30am (Sat) KNML-AM 610 AM

5:30pm (Sat) KTBL-AM 1050 AM

6:00am (Sun) KDRF-FM 103.3 FM

Magic 99.5 99.5 FM

KKOB-FM 93.3 FM

KBZU-FM 96.3 FM

10:30am (Sun) KTBL-AM 1050 AM

5:30pm (Sun) KKOB-AM 770 AM

10:30pm (Sun) KRST-FM 92.3 FM

Altars of Light Exhibit

On Saturday, April 10th over 25 community artists exhibited work in the Altars of Light show to raise awareness and promote healing from the aftermath of sexual violence. 125 people attended the opening night. The following day 28 members of the community gathered in a circle to speak their truth, hear the truth of others, mourn, strengthen and renew. Following the panel discussion a smaller group returned to process and share through art making. Thank you to all involved for sharing your powerful imagery and wisdom.

Now House Tour Tickets at BOOKWORKS, too

Many thanks to Bookworks for helping us out with 2010 Albuquirky House Tour ticket sales. Bookworks is on Rio Grande north of Griegos next door to Flying Star. They are accepting cash only, $1 service charge. Hours are 9 to 9 M-Sat and 9 to 7 on Sun.

You can, of course, also purchase your tickets from our website, via Paypal, or by phone (credit card) or of course in person (check, cash, credit card, MO).

Yikes! Only a couple of weeks until the grand quirky fundraiser for OFFCenter on MAY 1! Find out more on our website -- where you can even get a VIDEO sneek peek at two of our quirky tour homes, thanks to Deanna Sauceda and KRQE:

http://www.offcenterarts.org/housetour.htm

We're still here -- thanks to you!

Victor Stands His Ground

Victor has been working steadily in the studio to perfect his Iron Man suit prototype with plans to make millions producing custom suits for would-be buyers once they get wind that he is in production. In this photo he dons his suit to brush aside a challenge from a studio broomsman.

Rick's B-Day Celebration

Longtime OFFCenter artist and volunteer Rick Hughart has his cake and eats it too along with a few friends who stopped by from the 19th Century to celebrate. You never know who will be making art in the studio so stop in when you get a chance and join the fun. Make art, buy art and meet new friends at OFFCenter!! By the way, that is a bottle of non-alchoholic sparkling cider on the table....

Mosaic Mirror Workshop with Lindy Hurst

Sunday, April 18th, 2010 1-4pm

Cost $35

All materials provided. (must pay and register in advance with OFFCenter -- 247-1172).

Embellish a small wall-hung mirror with ceramic mosaic and found objects.

Learn how to cut, set and grout mosaic.

Learn skills you can use on small planters, small murals, or walls at home!

All materials will be provided (tiles, grout, mirrors, all tools, etc) -- but if you would like to bring some favorite small trinkets, beads, etc to add to your piece, please do so!

Lindy has an MFA from UNM and has been teaching Folk Art workshops for more than 20 years in our community.

Call for Entries: "Shelter: A Refuge..."

“SHELTER: A Refuge for Mind, Body and Soul”

Whether in a tent, in a friend’s company, or by reading a good book, everyone seeks refuge from the world’s stresses and dangers. Once sheltered, we begin the process of restoration.

• Calling for artwork in any medium exploring how we find shelter and restoration in our lives.



• No fee.
• Non-juried community exhibit.
• Limit 2 entries per artist subject to space available.
• Artists are encouraged to provide statements about their art work.

Accepting work on Friday, April 23rd and Tuesday, April 27th at OFFCenter between noon and 6pm.

Exhibit Opens on Friday, May 7th 5-8pm.

Sat. Altars of Light Panel Discussion & Art Making

Saturday, Apr. 10
Co-sponsored by the New Mexico Art Therapy Association

Pre-registration is required separately for the panel discussion and art making sessions. CEU credits are available for Art Therapists and Counselors. For more information and to register contact Sahnta at 505.264.3933.

PANEL DISCUSSION 10am-12pm
The panelists will use the images within the “Altars of Light” exhibit to focus on raising awareness, healing and making visible what has been lost as a result of sexual violence.

Panelists

• ROSEMARY IMHOF, Panel Facilitator – Art and Family Therapist at UNMH


• CYNTHIA COOK – Artist and Chicana Feminist


• DEBORAH GAVEL - Painter, Educator and Art Activist. Co-coordinator for site installations “Honoring Women”, “Women of Juarez’, and “Women of the West Mesa ”


• DOREENA TORRES - Detective with the Sheriff's Office of Sexual Violence.


• GWEN PACKARD - Native Americian Activist - issues of sexual violence.


• BEVERLY WILKINS – Director for Peaceful Nations Consulting, former Director ABQ Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence


• NANCY MANCE – Counselor with the Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center

ART MAKING WORKSHOP
Art and Family Therapist Rosemary Imhof will lead an art making session in response to the panel discussion and “Altars of Light” exhibit utilizing her training and experience to create an environment for participants to process through visual imagery, writing and sculpture.

Workshop runs from 1:30 to 3:30

Sharie"s Studio Journal

Happy Easter Everyone WEll we kicked off the Easter weekend with a well attended opening of the current show Altars of Light. It is a very impressive and moving collection of artwork. I want to say I thnk it is great to see OFFCenter Board of Directors in attendance at these events and we had eight in the house Friday night. I want to say thank you to all of you who attended and to those of you who "popped in " I think it is important for others to see board members there supporting the community. Thanks to you all for being a part of OFFCenter and keeping it going.

If you were not able to attend the opening please drop in during the week and have a look it is a great show.

Don't forget to get your tickets for the upcoming House Tour you can get them online or go by the studio and pick them up The date of the tour is May 1 (May Day)

Have a great weekend----Sharie

Purchase your House Tour tickets online

This year you have one more option for purchasing your Albuquirky House Tour tickets -- you can buy them right online at our website, via Paypal. Paypal is very secure, and you don't even need a Paypal account. You can use a credit card or bank transfer, or your good old Paypal account.

If this is an easier way for you to get your tickets, just click the link or image below to go to our House Tour page, then click on the Add to Cart button. We can mail them out to you until about a week before the event on May 1 (see the web page for more details).

OFFCenter's 2010 Albuquirky House Tour

Of course, you can still call 505-247-1172 to order your tickets (you'll need to give your credit card info), or stop in and pick them up.

We're still here -- thanks you YOU. We appreciate your support.

Altars of Light Exhibition Opening

Part 1 of a 3-event series, co-sponsored by the New Mexico Art Therapy Association and OFFCenter.

The NMATA will host a 3 part series of events at OFFCenter in April to raise awareness of the aftermath of sexual violence – an issue that touches every person in our society in often untold ways.

The series includes this public art exhibit, a panel discussion and a guided art making session.

Exhibit curators: Rose Buffalo and a selected group of art therapists who work with those harmed by sexual violence.

The “Altars of Light” project was started in 2008 by Rose Buffalo in response to the widespread occurrence of sexual abuse in the military. This show is the 5th in a series of events inspired by Rose’s work to promote healing, raise awareness and end the violence of sexual assault in our society.

Exhibit opens on Friday, April 2, from 5-8pm

Many thanks to Winning Coffee Co. and Roma Bakery & Deli for donating refreshments.

OFFCenter in the News:KRQE's Offbeat Homes story

Many thanks to Deanna Sauceda and crew at KRQE for their piece this morning about our upcoming annual fundraiser, the Albuquirky House Tour.

To read the story and see the video, which previews two of our three quirky homes, visit KRQE's website story below:

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/krqe_mornings/offbeat-homes-more-than-living-space

The video is AWESOME and we're sure you'll want to pick up your tickets early for this wonderful event (tune in over the next few days for more info, or visit our House Tour page on our website NOW):

http://www.offcenterarts.org/housetour.htm

Thanks again to KRQE, and thanks to you for supporting OFFCenter's free programs.

Sharie's Studio Journal

Hello everyone I do appologize for my extended absence but the winter hours for the studio have not been good for me to have the time in the studio but hopefully soon I will be back in the studio. I do want to remind you all to watch Breaking Bad a series on the AMC channel (65) this Sunday night at 8 pm I think. Now please I am not promoting the program because I cannot condon making and selling drugs for any reason. I am reminding everyone who can to watch and look at the props used because last summer a member of their production crew a set director came into OFFCenter and purchased some art to use as props in this seasons program and she told me the story line when I told her I had never watched the show. I still cannot "get into the story line" but I will watch because she purchased a few of the Albuquirky House Tour "Little Houses" and some other pieces as well and so I will be looking for those (smile) Remember the 2010 House Tour is coming up May First May Day get your tickets you can buy online just go to the OFFCenter website of to the studio. If you have started a collection of "Little Houses" there will be new ones in the studio and if you don't have a collection it is not too late to start one.
See you around. Watch Breaking Bad Sunday 8p.m. ?? Get your house tour tickets before they are gone. Sharie

From the Ninos y Mayores Art Making Playshops OFFCenter's outreach program with seniors and children at Barelas Community Center, these photos represent the collaging activities around the questions:
"Who am I?"
"Who are you?" and
"Who are we?"
The players will continue this project this Wednesday.

Dual Exhibit at OFFCenter

DUAL EXHIBIT - MARCH 16 - 26
Dave Blecha's Drawing & Painting Class
with Tres Amigos

The Drawing & Painting Class lead by Dave Blecha that meets every Tuesday from 1 - 3 pm at OFFCenter, and Tres Amigos (an art collaborative that gathers and makes art at OFFCenter) are exhibiting together for a brief show in the OFFCenter Gallery.

2 members (from several regular attendees) of
Dave Blecha's Drawing & Painting Class:
Eva Casey & Diane Moody with Dave Blecha

Tres Amigos is a group of three special people and their avid supporters. Their show has a special tribute to Stephanie Anderson, an artist whose kindness was appreciated and who is sorely missed.






Tres Amigos Exhibit

Koffi Earns His Strings!

Today, Kay graduated Koffi after he completed 12 weeks of guitar instruction. Koffi cruised through his 5 song recital and received a new guitar for his efforts. Anyone can join iCreates Beginning Guitar class which is held weekly on Wednesday's between 3:30 and 4:15pm in the studio. Congratulations Koffi! Please keep the music coming...

Thank you, Rooster's Downtown

Special thanks to Rooster's Downtown, just down the road from us at 320 Central Ave. Rooster's will donate coffee and snacks for our upcoming First Friday Coffeehouse on Mar. 5

Which...
in case you haven't heard us shouting about it already...
will feature...

WAGOGO!

There, we said it Again!

Come on by from 5 to 8 for our First Friday (Artscrawl) Coffeehouse. Wagogo will play starting at 6:00. Gift shop and gallery, open of course.

FREE, but we won't turn down your donation when we pass the hat.

OFFCenter Board Elects 2010 Officers

The Officers of the Board of Directors for 2010 are:

Margaret Lopez, President

Venae Warner, Vice President

Laura Farris, Treasurer

Louise Kahn, Secretary

And we elected new board members Ayren Valery (lower left, in the cap) and Chami MacPherson (middle, in the red jacket). Rashan Omari Jones was elected at the January board meeting.

You may be able to tell from this photo how many board members like to doodle and make things during our meetings!

A very, very special thank you to the dedicated board members, OFFCenter staff, and generous community who hung in there, through an economically tough 2008, into a creative but demanding 2009. Here's to a prosperous 2010!

Silk Painting Class Photos

Claudia Fluegge taught basic silk painting using a variety of materials to a completely full class on Saturday. Here are a few photos of her "happy campers."