Sharie"s Studio Journal

Days and counting here are some photos of kids and parents and grandparents making masks this past Saturday. Clare Gonzales provided samples and instruction for making paper masks. The kids had a great time and I'm pretty sure I saw parents laughing and trying on masks as they assisted their children in the creation of masks. Don't dispair there are a few days left so come on in to the studio there are puppets to be repaired and made ready for the "Big Day", labels to be put on bottles of water and signs to be made and given fresh paint. You can still do your own art too. Come on and join the fun and there is one more night to learn the steps for the Samba Dancers to lead the Parade.

We also had a family here for the weekend from out of town join in the mask making.

Sharie's Studio Journal: One week til the Folk Art Festival

This week will go too fast as did this past week but time waits for no one. The studio continues to be a buzz with activity getting ready for the Folk Art Festival. And other regular activities continue to happen in the midst of all this prep. David's art/drawing class found a corner table among the puppets and other stuff going on to get their lesson this week. The Thursday Writing group found a niche to write and read their prose to one another inspite of the repair work happening to the puppets in order for them to be ready for the parade next Sunday (9/13). People are dropping in to secure their space to sell their art at the Festival. One table is busy with volunteers putting labels on water bottles for the festival and today every one was making room for the First Friday Coffee House.

If you didn't make it in for the coffee house you missed a really good band Tortuga. There were kids dancing and playing with the band (drums and tamborine) , frinds visiting with friends they had not seen in a while new friends being met and new people to OFFCenter. Art being bought and some really good food. All in all I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I know I did and liked the band too.

Congratulations to Sky sorry I missed your debut.

Congratulations Sky!

Sky performed in recital on Wednesday for the studio artists and has the honor of being the most accomplished finger picker to earn an iCreate guitar. She took lessons when she was 13 and learned finger patterns and chords. She now can play and read melody and is a singer and writer.

All iCreate guitar class 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

Puppet Invasion

Greetings Everyone:

I goofed I tried to reorganize the photos I had posted and it deleted every thing . The puppets have come out of storage and are back in the studio. Some just need to be dusted off and some need a "face lift " and a few are getting an overhaul but they look great and are getting ready for their annual parade for the kickoff of the Folk Art Festival. There was a workshop (funshop) with Sunny Burkland and we have some new Puppets for the parade. It was great to watch brothers work side by side each creating their own winged creature to carry in the parade. Families seemed to be having a great time working on their own creatures. Mother and daughter worked together and Dad took care of the baby and all looked happy. Individuals and couples helping each other and comments and suggestions offered from other participants as well as a lot of That is sooooo coool and awesome or I would not of thought of doing that. Adabelle Allen, our new intern got assistance with the sewing part of her project and has so pretty cool wings for her Magpie.

If you missed this one or want to carry a puppet or mask in the parade there will be another opportunity this Saturday check our OFFCenter calendar for the times. Hope to see you there.

Sharie

Bake Sale Items Needed -- for Sept. 12 delivery

Please bake us some cookies, muffins, cupcakes, coffe cakes, layer cakes, breads, scones, or anything your culinary heart desires.

We need them for our annual bake sale to be held during our Folk Art Festival on Sunday, Sept. 13th from 10am to 4pm at Robinson Park.

The bake sale is a big hit each year! There is a big demand for gluten-free, wheat-free and sugar-free items, but everything is welcome!

Please drop off your baked goods at OFFCenter on SATURDAY Sept. 12, 8 to 11 am.

For more info or special drop off arrangements, contact us to get the Bake Sale Committee's contact info.

New! Free Weekly Embroidery Class thru Sept. 22

Learn or practice your Embroidery with Karen Hart, our longest commuting artist from Pittsburgh.

She will lead an open, all-levels class every Tuesday in the studio from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., through September 22 (or perhaps a bit longer if we can persuade her to stay through Balloon Fiesta).

Karen brings a lifetime of experience working with fabric and is patient, knowledgeable, and possesses a great sense of humor.

Anyone interested in embroidery is welcome to attend to learn and share with the group.

Thank you, Karen!

First Friday Coffeehouse with Tortuga!

First Friday Coffeehouse
Friday Sept. 4
5 to 8 pm

Bring a friend or two and come hear the jazz fusion sounds of Tortuga , featuring Pax and friends playing for your enjoyment. It's Free!

Our gallery will be filled with Folk Festival puppets, masks and other festive paraphernalia.

Coffee and delicious refreshments will be available along with the usual great supply of one of a kind local art work on sale in our shop.

A Pass the Hat Production, hosted by Bonnie Bluhm.

Our Second Guitar Class Graduate!

Congratulations Terry!
Today Terry Begay has the honor of being the first comedian to earn an iCreate guitar, and to get the most compliments from listeners who happen to be creating art while he plays music. Terry composes and improvises with great flair and skill. All iCreate guitar class 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

Mayoral Candidates Forum on Arts & Culture

Tuesday, Aug. 25
6:00 to 7:30 pm
VSA North Fourth Arts Center
Albuquerque

A public form.

Members of the arts and cultural community as well as memb ers of the public will have the chance to ask the candidates for the city’s highest office to clarify their positions.

All of the candidates have been invited to attend.

Members of OFFCenter's Board, staff and artists plan to attend. We are formulating questions for the candidates. Let's hope we get called on! (The questions are submitted ahead of time.)

Sharie's Studio Journal: I'm back!

Greetings everyone:

I have been out of the studio for about two weeks a bit "under the weather", but am back in the swing of things. It is great to be back in the studio and watch all that happens there. Some new faces always great to see new friends there.

The Earthquakes and Hurricanes show is coming to an end and if you missed it you missed a wonderful show.

WE are making "pitchy Patch" and making room for the puppets to get a face lift and get ready for the Folk Art Festival.

Come on down and bring your friends to make art and/or help get ready for the folk art fest. It is a lot of fun. We love all the help and participation. See you soon Sharie.

OFFBags - the hottest thing in recycled fashion

Above, Molly models an OFFBag portfolio constructed of recycled plastic bags and packaging.

Be on the breaking edge of the OFFBag fashion movement! Stop by and see our current selection of OFFBags on display in the OFFCenter Shop.

Twenty-seven Days til the Folk Art Festival

Won't you join us? Make puppets, dance, sell your art, make art in the kid's tent, stroll the park and listen to great music. Click the link for more information: http://www.offcenterarts.org/folkartfest.htm

Workshop: "Taking Flight" Parade Puppets with Wings

Saturday, August 29th

morning session 8:30am – 11:30am

afternoon session 2pm – 5pm

Free parade puppet making workshop!

Participants may make animals such as birds or butterflies or angels or other winged beings.

There will be two 3 hour sessions; 8:30am -11:30 am and 2pm-5pm. We will take a long break at lunch to allow the papier mache to dry.

The following Saturday, September 5th, participants may work on any unfinished pieces.

Workshop leader Sunny Birklund has been making and performing with puppets for over 20 years. She especially loves giant puppets and has helped many people over the years make their own characters with papier mache to participate in festivals and parades.

NOTE: These photos were taken at previous years' We Art the People giant puppet salsa parades, by Albuquerque photographer Deanna Nichols. See more of her photos on Flickr Thank you, Deanna, for allowing us to share them here.

P.S. The We Art the People parade is an annual event sponsored by OFFCenter to kick off our Folk Art Festival. This year's Festival is only a few days away -- come join us in Robinson Park, Sunday, Sept. 13!

Please contact OFFCenter to register for this workshop -- 505-247-1172.

More Summerfest Latin Night Art Projects

Like many of our visitors, this guy worked on more than one project.

The whole family learns about New Mexico punched tin work.

This girl colors in her punched image.

We all hammered to a Latin beat last Satureday!

We folded aluminum foil over a sturdy backing, then hammered a design with our homemade hammers and a big nail. Then we colored in the designs with permanent markers.

Summerfest Latin Night Art Projects

Saturday night was the last night of Summerfest 2009, and we got lots of kudos on our Latin-inspired art projects that intrigued adults and kids alike.

She and mom rode a tandem bike to Civic Plaza, and while mom rested under the tent, daughter made her shrine.

Our nichos project was very popular. Hers is adorned with shells and other small objects we set out on the tables.

This young gal was a repeat visitor this summer. Her nicho is called "Love."

These friends made nichos for their friends.

Stay tuned for our upcoming blog post about our other Latin-inspired art project -- we did our own "intro" version of punched tin work.