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.

Twisted Wire Jewelry Workshop, Saturday Jan 31

MARY TAFOYA PRESENTS TWISTED WIRE JEWELRY, SAT. JAN 31

Learn the foundation steps of a twisted wire jewelry project. In this class, we'll make at least two pairs of earrings using beads, charms and fine wire. A fun and satisfying project for teens to adults.We'll go through each step together, with tips for making variations, and each student will receive a handout with step-by-step instructions. Once you get the hang of these basic steps, you can use extra long lengths of wire and lots of different kinds of beads to create not just earrings, but other jewelry projects and art embellishments.This project is great for using up leftover beads.

Cost: $35. Scholarships are available.

Please call early to reserve. Space is limited. 505-247-1172

SUPPLY LIST

• A few small beads or charms, or use what's available at OFFCenter.
• You'll need about 10 beads for each pair of earrings. Leaves,
  flowers, and colorful round beads work great.
• At least two pairs of earring wires, or use what's available in the class
• Very fine craft wire (26 to 28 gauge) (some wire will be provided until we run out!)
• Scissors, if you have them
• Jewelry pliers, if you have them
• Jewelry wire cutters, if you have them

Collaborative Workshop, "Trust the Hand that Makes it Round"

Workshop: hursday/Friday, January 22^nd/23^rd , 5-8pm, Collaborative Community Art Process, free

The New Mexico Art Therapy Association will host two nights of collaborative community art making to produce new works for entry in the “Trust The Hand That Makes It Round” exhibit which opens on February 6^th. Join the group process or just come by to work on your individual piece and share in the creative energy.

WORKSHOP: Saturday, January 24^th, 10am to noon - Chinese Paper Dragons, $6 per person, families of 3 or more $4 per person

Join Ann Dunbar at the OFFCenter studio this Saturday, January 24^th for a kids friendly workshop. Ann will provide step-by-step instructions to cut, fold and decorate traditional Chinese paper dragons just in time for the Chinese New Year. All materials will be provided. All proceeds will benefit OFFCenter.

Call for Entries: "Trust the Hand that Makes it Round"

CALL FOR ART:
"Trust the Hand that Makes It Round" - a show at OFFCenter Arts Studio Opening Feb. 6 and running through Feb. 27, 2009. From mandalas to wheels of fortune, to suns, moons, our own mother earth, and everything round and spinning, this exhibit will celebrate our humanness, our vital energy and our ability to create the round world together. No fee. Entry deadline Jan. 23, art delivery deadline Jan. 27.

OFFCenter Arts is at 808 Park Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.

For more info phone: 505-247-1172.

Holiday Gift Making Night at OFFCenter

Photo by Krisdecurtis

Holiday Gift Making Night

Wednesday, December 17th

5-8pm

OFFCenter Arts Studio

808 Park Ave. SW

Our traditional night of coming together and creating unique holiday gifts and decorations

Several artists will demonstrate projects. Bring your family and help generate some holiday warmth

This event is "free." call for more information 505.247.1172

Upcoming December 2008 OFFCenter Arts Events

Opening of “OFF & ONyx – an INTROSPECTIVE” Friday Night, December 5^th, 5-10pm OffCenter fundraiser and birthday celebration $5 donation requested

OFFCenter Community Arts announces our 7^th anniversary celebration, showing new work by over 40 of OFFCenter’s participating artists. The Dec. 5 opening will feature music by Bonnie Bluhm, who will host her annual Birthday Bash with the band Jasper at OFFCenter tonight for the benefit. After 6pm a $5 donation per person is requested. This donation includes a ticket for the raffle of art prizes throughout the night! The show runs through January 9^th.

Poetry and Shrine Making, Saturday, December 6^th, 1-4pm cost: $35 with scholarships available - please call for details

Instructor Karin Bradberry is an award-winning poet and teacher of English, Creative Writing, and Spanish whose passion is creating art that incorporates her poetry. Learn how to give embodiment to your favorite poem or other piece of writing in this workshop. Bringing a poem with you will make the process easier; if you don't, we will start you off with a writing exercise and then move on to the visual art. If you already have pictures that relate to your poem, bring these too! All other materials will be provided. Call to Register Now!

All events will be held at the OFFCenter studioTo register: call us at: 505-247-1172 or email info@offcenterarts.org

Two Off Center Art Workshops offered in November

Two Great Upcoming Workshops:

Monoprint Printmaking Saturday November 8th, Noon-3pm, cost: $35 with scholarships available

Local Artist moving into nation wide fame will be teaching a Monoprint Printmaking workshop at Off Center Arts. Cathy Wysocki who was recently highlighted in 516 Arts show titled "Cautionary Tales" will be bringing this intriguing form of printmaking to YOU!

Monoprinting is a fascinating way to create layers combining drawing, painting, collage and other mixed media materials! Come use our brand new professional quality press and learn about a new way to create a beautiful image. Register today!

Creative Collage Next Saturday, November 15th, 1-4pm, cost: $35 with scholarships available

Corinne Schuman will introduce a variety of techniques to boost your collage art work and make some art to share. This class will cover many ideas for making art to match any special occcasion that calls for a great card. Materials included.

To register call us at: 505-247-1172 or email info@offcenterarts.org

Day of the Dead Inspired Art Show Dead Ahead III

Third Annual "Day of the Dead" inspired Art Exhibit

Dead Ahead III
opens October 24th, 2008
5:00 to 8:00 PM

Host Artist: Jude Pacheco