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.

Best House Tour Ever!

The tally is in, and thanks to YOU, OFFCenter just completed the best Albuquirky House Tour in the four years we have held this fundraising event. We raised $4,500 through sales of 180 tickets. Which means that 180 of you from the Albuquerque community walked through three beautiful, unique, artistic homes in support of OFFCenter's mission. We hope you were inspired, and made a new friend or two.

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A very special thank you to the folks who opened their quirky homes to us!

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Sharie reports that she sold about 18 tickets at the OFFCenter studio on the day of the tour, so thank you for popping in for your tickets!!! You know we need you, and you came through for us.

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Sharie also reported that lots of you made purchases from our current show -- Shelter: Space, Place and Belonging, as well as from our own quirky gift shop. Thank you for supporting our emerging artists!

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Your support helps us continue to offer a free, open creative art space for the downtown community and way beyond.

Holy Water & Whiskey at First Friday Coffeehouse!

Bonnie Bluhm hosts:

HOLY WATER & WHISKEY

Albuquerque's Premiere Old-Timey Folk Trio

June 5, 2009 ~ 5-8 PM

Music Starts @ 6 PM

• Coffee & Refreshments
• Check out our one-of-a-kind Art Shop and our current exhibit, "Shelter."

FREE EVENT! A Pass the Hat Production!

Always Unique Gifts in the Shop

We don't want to brag, but we were recycling-for-art before it was cool, bending metal, repainting canvas, reviving afghans and making stuffed animals out of cut up sweaters.

Many Albuquerque residents and visitors come to the gift shop knowing they'll get a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted item for someone special, and that our emerging artists benefit from the very high commissions they keep on sales.

Where else are you going to find a coat rack made of high heeled shoes or a wall vase of rusted nail flowers? At OFFCenter, you'll find very special work by very special people. Like this composition made from bottle caps and cans, by Jill Cooper.

Albuquirky House Tour Photos

Feast your artsy eyes upon one of the beautiful houses our supporters visited
during the 4th Annual Albuquirky House Tour. Thank you, everyone,
for supporting OFFCenter.

These photos were sent in by OFFCenter Board Member Margaret Lopez.

art X change with 516 Arts May 14, 2009

Gallery Talk & ArtMaking
Thursday, May 14, 2009

Three sculptors in the West Southwest: ABQ-LA Exchange show at 516 Arts will discuss their creative process at 516 Arts, followed by a reception/art making session at OFFCenter Community Arts Project.

Please call 505-247-1172 to express your interest. Open and free to the community!

Meet and discuss with Lea Denise Anderson, John Garrett, and George Kalmar.

4-5pm Artist Talk @ 516 Arts, 516 Central Ave NW

5-6:30pm Reception / Art Making at OFFCenter, just down the street.

"Vital Slices" by Lea Denise Anderson