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

Volunteers are Very Important

Have you seen folks in OFFCenter around a table talking about things like "Where will they park?", "Who will do the food?", "When does it have to be done by?"- and most importantly- "Who will get it done?"

If so, you may be seeing OFFCenter Board of Directors and other volunteers in action. OFFCenter provides open studio hours for many emerging or yet to emerge artists and hosts lots of structured activities for our community. But OFFCenter also does regular and continual fundraising efforts through a variety of events that are crucial to keep OFFCenter alive and available to our community. When the events happen it may seem like they just happen, but really they take a lot of planning and effort beforehand and during the event.

The new First Friday Coffeehouses with live music on the first Friday of each month is one of these events. If you would like to help with any of our ongoing fundraising and organizing events let a staff person at OFFCenter know, or join in when you see one of the planning meetings happening. WE can do it all together:)

Children's Cancer Fund of NM Visits OFFCenter

On Saturday, May 23^rd children fighting cancer and their families met and flexed their artistic muscles at the OFFCenter studio to paint flower pots that will be sold at a fundraising auction to benefit the Children’s Cancer Fund. The Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico exists to help children and their families cope with the day-to-day emotional, financial, and educational needs of living with, and fighting cancer. Roy from Sumner and Dene Gallery hosted the event using materials donated by Langell’s Art Supply and Osuna Nursery. We are honored to be a part of their fundraising efforts and hope we can continue our relationship with the children, families and Fund staff in the future. We wish everyone the best.

In Case You Missed Steve White

Sometimes things happen pretty fast around here! We didn't even get a chance to warn you, oops we mean INVITE you to local folk artist Steve White's "The Orange Show" today. He even played with the Pez Theatre! So the least we can do is show you Steve in his Pez Coat. Click the photo to visit Steve's Flickr gallery. (You'll find the Pez Theatre there). Available for performances near you. :-) And you can now find Steve's website, The Folk Farm, in our list of "Friends of OFFCenter." (look left...)

(Note: See Steve's great repurposed Pez's for sale in the gift shop.)

Muchas Gracias, CCHD

Good news! OFFCenter just received word that our grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, was funded in full! Thank you so much for continuing to support OFFCenter.

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The CCHD, Archdiocese of Santa Fe, supports community-based efforts and education for justice that work to end the root causes of poverty. OFFCenter's project "promotes economic development to empower homeless and formerly homeless, low-income artists to increase their earnings, enhance art and business skills and promote entrepreneurship. OFFCenter deals creatively and innovatively with the complex issues that surround homelessness."

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And a hearty "argh matey" to Captain of the Ship Ron Breen for writing another successful grant. Keep paddling!

Our Piano

Sharie's Studio Journal

Pianos are wonderful instruments--my Dad told me once that if I learned to play the piano I would be able to learn to play any instrument I wanted. I have heard others agree with his statement so I have to believe it to be true. We have a piano in the studio at OFFCenter. I don't recall every being in a room with a piano that children were not drawn to it. The expression on their faces full of curiosity--wanting to touch those black and white keys to see and hear what sound will come from them. The will look around to see if anyone is watching --especially Mom or Dad--wait to see if someone will tell them NO! don't touch. Then regardless of that possibility those little fingers find their way to the keyboard and then they press however many keys their little hand can reach at one time and WOW sound their eyes get wider a smile spreads across their face and it is on---- more sounds more keys and in their mind you know they are on stage preforming their little heart out. We have artists who are multi talented and they will on occasion take a seat at our piano and play. This is always a treat and most other artists will express their appreciation for the musical offering. You know pianos need to be cared for and periodically need to be tuned. We have an artist who has sent us a new friend to OFFCenter. Sally Thank you for sending the piano tuner. He reported that it was really flat but no more (for now). So if you don't consider yourself an artist of visual art but can make music that is art too come on in and play for us and with us as we make art & make friends and buy art. By the way there are guitar lessons available check our calendar on our web page for dates and times. See in the studio Sharie

Sharie's Studio Journal

Sharie's Studio Journal

Greetings Folk: Well here we are it is "hump day" the weekend will be here before we know it and it is a holiday weekend so come down to OFFCenter and make some art or new friends or both and maybe find a really great piece of art for that special friend or loved one to just say I was thinking of you when I found this piece of art.

If you plan a lot of activities and the stress from work is beginning to creep in and make you think you wish the weekend was already past there is another reason to come to OFFCenter (as if you need and excuse) it is a great way to help you with stress management

Look forward to seeing you in the studio. Sharie

Board of Directors Retreat 2009

Sharie's Studio Journal

Greetings to all: The Board of Directors met this past Saturday in "Retreat" lol I think it is funny to call it a retreat because we worked. We met because we as individuals truly believe in OFFCenter and what it offers and stands for in the community. This was a time for us to become better acquainted with each other and learn a little more about each other. I think this is important because I see the board as a team and our purpose is to make sure OFFCenter continues to be an important part of the community as well as the safe haven it has become for so many artists. These board members are in the studio either making their own art or for a meeting working on the next project to promote OFFCenter. If you know who they are and would like to meet any of them ask Marcia or Ron to introduce you or point us out to you and come talk to us. We truly want OFFCenter to be the best it can be and if you have questions or concerns or suggestions please let one of know.

I also encourage you to attend and participate in the Emerging Artist Meeting on Thursday at 5:30 pm. That is an excellent place to learn more about OFFCenter and how things happen there.

Hope to see you and or meet you soon.

Sharie

516 Art X Change

Sharie's Studio Journal

Greetings Everyone: I attended the the demonstration by John Garrett that was a part of the 516 Art Exchange. People, I work with wire (just one of many things I make art with) I was amazed. I had used the same technique to twist yarn using a hand mixer and one beater but I never thought to do the same thing with wire. There are some differences i.e. tools and safety issues, but I am so ready to try this method and can see how different my wire pieces will be with this new technique.

Just goes to show you never know what you will learn or miss out on so come on by and make art with us. Who knows there might be a workshop going on or a demonstration of some method to make art.

Til later Sharie

Amy Biehl Charter School visits OFFCenter

Sharie's Studio Journal

Last week in the studio: Students from Amy Biehl Charter School (located downtown) were there learning about print making. It was fun and interesting to watch them go thru trial and error of colors and getting too much "ink" or not enough. The end results were great. This class was there twice and on Friday they returned and the difference from one session to the next was very apparent in that they came in and were more comfortable in the space and settled right in to do their project for the day.

Another really great thing that happens in the studio is new people coming in and taking in the whole space and atomsphere. I was in conversation and sharing about OFFCenter with a first time visitor as she was admiring the finished product of the print making and asking some of the students about their particular piece of art work. The inspiring part was to hear a student tell this visitor the process by which he had created his print and to hear the pride of accomplishment in his voice. It was awesome.

More later..... Sharie

John Garrett Demonstration during May artXchange

John Garrett and other artists from the latest 516 Arts show -- an exchange of sculptors from Los Angeles and Albuquerque, visited OFFCenter to mentor our Emerging Artists group and other guests. In these photos, John demonstrates his technique for twisting wire. Learn more about John and his work at the Collector's Guide.