Susan Zimmerman's Silent Auction House

A subtle rendering by Susan Zimmerman.

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

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!

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 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

Storage Space Needed for Parade Puppets

OFFCenter is looking for year-round, clean, dry storage space approximately 10' x 15' to store our "We Art the People" parade puppets and paraphernalia. Please contact Ron at 247-1172 if you think you can help us out.

Thank you, Craft Punk Fashion Show vol 2

Many thanks to Evolution Body Piercing, Crystal Sims and all the volunteers behind the Craft Punk 2 Fashion Show, held at the Launchpad on November 13th, for donating the proceeds of their event to OFFCenter.

Your wonderful generosity helps us to continue our work in providing a creative, supportive and safe environment for the whole community to make art, to attend workshops, and for our artists to sell their work in the Shop, and participate in gallery shows.

In total, the Fashion Show donated a whopping $2,800 to OFFCenter. Thank you so much!

Sharie's Studio Journal

There is so much that happens in the studio. There is something for everyone. If you want to learn or improve your drawing skill there is a class with David Blecha on Tuesdays. Thought of writing there is a writers group on Thursdays with Amanda Gardner. Would you rather be a musician and learn to play the guitar check out the class on Wednesday afternoons with iCreate.

If these don't strike your fancy and maybe you have wanted to learn to sew or do embroidery I am available for teaching the basics for either of these skills. We also have peole who can help those who might want to learn to crochet or knit.

There is always the opportunity to learn a new skill or technique from an artist sitting at the table next to you. If you have an idea of a skill to share or want to learn come to the Emerging Artist meetings on Thursday at 5:30 P M this is where these things get on the calander.

Don't forget if you would like to support OFFCenter thru financial donations to United Way you can do so thru your employer sponsored campaign by selecting OFFCenter as a designated program for your contribution to go to. IF your employer is not involved with a payroll deduction campaign and you would like to donate thru United Way that is avaliable too.

More from the Studio later. Have a great week. There will be workshops to get ready for the upcoming show "Threads from the Dead--Who are you from?" Keep checking the calendar.

Sharie

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!

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

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!

Whiteboard Calendar

Hey all,

Board Member Mary Lambert tells me that OFFCenter's Emerging Artists group can use a whiteboard calendar -- the kind you can fill the the dates and actvities with a whiteboard marker.

If you have one that you're no longer using, your donation would be most appreciated. Contact Ron or Marcie on behalf of Mary L. at 505-247-1172 or drop by during open studio hours.

Thanks!
Mary T. 8-) <--the other Mary

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!

Albuquerque's 6th Annual Folk Art Festival

The Folk Art Festival returns!!

Saturday August 9, 2008
11am to 4pm

Located in Robinson Park, 8th & Central NW
after the Growers’ market

• The day begins with a giant puppet samba parade followed by ongoing musical and dance entertainment.
• Around 100 folk art vendors will be featured selling their wares in booths throughout Robinson Park, conveniently located across the street from OFFCenter.
• Art making activities, free to everyone, will be offered in several Art Tents.
• Food and drinks will be available for purchase along with baked goods and a “White Elephant” sale sponsored by our Board of Directors.
• This event is the highlight of our art making year so please come out and join the festivities and help build our community by making art together. Volunteers are needed so if you want to help out please give us a call.

Help us recreate the festival!!!
Contact us at 247-1172

Become a sponsor - just donate $25 or more.

Kids and Adults Parade Workshop - Saturday’s July 26^th and August 2^nd

Everyone is invited to come to OFFCenter between 12-4pm and “create a character” for the Folk Fest Parade! Help make a festival by getting your costume ready for the big day. Find a mask and make it your own, or create a new one, make noise makers and capes - anything that gets the spirit of the Folk Fest moving. 12-4pm in the studio - Free

You can participate in the “We Art the People” Parade at 11 AM. Come to OFFCenter on the 9th at 10am or contact OFFCenter Arts at: 505-247-1172 for more details.