WANTED: Your web links

IF you are an OFFCenter artist who has a website, blog, or online shop where you sell your art, won't you please send us a link? We want to add you to our OFFCenter artists on the web column here on our blog.

C'mon now, don't be shy. If you're wondering "Are they talkin' to me?" -- well, do you sell your work in the gift shop? Play music at OFFCenter? Participate in one of our ongoing classes? Submit your work to our exhibits? Well, then, we are talkin' to you!

Just post a comment to this post, or send an email message to info@offcenterarts.org that says "OFFCenter Artist Links" in the subject line.

Sharie's Studio Journal

Greetings to all I've been out of the studio for a week and will be for another week but I know things don't stop because I am otherwise committed. The ongoing classes/workshops like the drawing classes and guitar lessons continue and the writing group happens so please check out the calendar for dates and times. There are upcoming new workshops there too so keep looking at the schedule and for announcements for these. If there is something you think would be a great media or thechnique to learn or teach in a work shop contact Ron in the studio and tell him what your idea is.

Last weeks First Friday Coffee House was a lot of fun with great snacks and good music. Watch the calendar for the next one in December. TTFN Sharie

First Friday Coffeehouse with Norm Everett Fri. Nov. 6!

First Friday Coffeehouse is November 6, 2009, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
and He's Back!
The yodelling, throat singing, wild & wacky one & only...

NORM EVERETT
and his band Namronth

opening with singer/songwriter Bonnie Bluhm

Coffee! Snacks! Gift Shop Open!

plus, the Dia de los Muertos exhibit "Threads from the Dead: Who Are You From?" continues.

Come join us -- it's Free and we welcome you to our Community Arts studio!

Sharie's Studio Journal

Greetings Everyone: I grew up in a home where books were sacred--you did not turn the corner of the page down to mark your place, you did not lay a book open face down as that would break the spine, and many other don'ts about books. I had a difficult time thinking of participating in a recent workshop held in the studio---Altered Books--- Once I got past all thatI signed up and the day of was very interesting we met new people--sponsors of the event participants and the facilitators. This was part of the BIG Read the campaign to encourage people to read more.

There were books of all description----old text books, prime readers, how to books, childrens nursery rhymes, big books, medium and small in terms of thickness and dimension. The facilitator had several examples of the many ways you can alter a book. Supplies to use in the altering of these books--paper, beads, baubles, photos and threads or yarn. I have to admit it was a lot of fun to take a book and alter it and make it my own.

Play It Again John...

John Ortiz completed his recital today at the OFFCenter Studio and earned his new guitar after his 12th lesson. He is planning to continue taking classes so he can work on reading. He currently plays only by ear. Congratulations John! May you have great enjoyment from your playing..

iCreate offers ongoing beginning and intermediate guitar instruction Wednesday afternoons throughout the year at 3:30pm at OFFCenter and throughout the week at other locations around town. New students and instructors are always welcome.

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

Thank you, Ron and Marcy

Do you come to the studio during open hours and find what you are looking for to work on your projects? Do you have art for sale in the shop? Were you a vendor or attendee at We Art The People Folk Art Festival? Have you enjoyed music, art and food at a First Friday Coffeehouse? Do you make OFFCenter one of your places? Then remember to say THANK YOU to Marcy and Ron, our two steady eddy staff people ever present in the studio.

Recently staff evaluations were completed for both Ron and Marcy and it was easy to see how much they do all the time to keep OFFCenter running smoothly and to make it a welcoming space for all. How many places in Albuquerque provide that?!

Thank you to Ron and Marcy, we all appreciate the hard work you do!

The OFFBag

Hello all OFFCenter folks! Yesterday I was OFF to do errands on my bike wearing my handy dandy OFFbag! It was perfect to hold whatever I was hauling OFF to the post office, etc. - and it's diagonal strap keeps it from falling OFF my shoulder! Are you OFF to town with your OFFbag? I hope so! See all the new available OFFbags at OFFCenter, new sizes too!

Call for Artists: Threads from the Dead -- Who are you from?

Entries Accepted October 21st through 23rd.

Exhibit Opening Friday, October 30th 5pm –8pm

OFFCenter’s Annual Day of the Dead show open to all artists and mediums. All work should be dropped off by Oct 23rd and there is no entry fee.

Sponsored by NMATA ( New Mexico Art Therapist Association).

For further information call Marci at 247-1172.

Repujado Workshop Oct. 24

Repujado is an old European metalworking technique -- called "repousse" in French, where special tools are used to add dimention and texture to metal. This technique can add a beautiful lustre and antique finish to metal.


Come join us on October 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The $60 course fee includes all materials. Please call OFFCenter at 505-247-1172 for more information -- your payment must be received at time of registration to confirm your spot in the class.




Jolanta Feliciano is a local repujado expert, who we're happy to have back at OFFCenter for another workshop.

Sharie's Studio Journal

Last week in the studio was busy in preparation for the opening of the Paper or Plastic Show and Thank you to our wonderful volunteers. There were not so many artists in the studio but there were new visitors coming in to check it out. Some said they had missed the Folk Art Festival due to being out of town others said a friend had attended the fest and told them about it so they wanted to see who we are and what we do. It ws nice to have the opportunity to share with new friends about OFFCenter and what we do and what a great place OFFCenter is.

Some are looking for a place to make art others want to donate materials and others their time and talents.

The photo of "roses in a box" these were made by several artists in the studio to be given to our valued volunteers we could not function without the great individuals (just a few shown here).

The Letters Home Project continues to meet at OFFCenter on Sunday afternoons to create cards and letter writing materials for military personnel overseas to have so they can write to their families and loved ones. (see photos)

Sharie's Studio Journal

Friday night and the Paper or Plastic Show opening is over---but the art is still on the wall and for sell so come in next week and see how artful trash can be. The music was great everyone looked like they were have a great time. There were artist making more art from the trash. New friends and old friends were there and it was fun to present the tissue roses to the many volunteers that gave time, energy and talent to help at OFFCenter before during and after the Folk Art Festival. We also really appreciate the staff and steadfast volunteers that are in the studio everyday. Ron. Marcia, Molly, Ayren, Adabelle, Georgia, Beverly, Rick, Theron, Tammy, Chami, Karen T., Clancy and all of you that I either didn't see you or know your name but you were there and helping or just making art-----T H A N K Y O U ! ! ! ! ! ! ! we could not do what we do with out all of you.

By the way remember that if your employer participates in the annual United Way Fund Raising Campaign you can designate that you contribution to go specifically to OFFCenter Community Art Project. So please consider us when you get your campaign pledge form. Thank you for your support.

Till next week see ya in the studio Sharie

Is OFFCenter *your* muse?

Here's an interesting perspective from one of Dave Blecha's talented drawing class students:

"Often we think of a person when we think of a muse ...and very often a person is. But this center has been a "muse" for me. A creative energy infuses this place. The intentions of so many people who have passed through here has fed the positive energy here. So much so that the creative energy has become an entity in and of itself......available to anyone who wants to tap into it."

--Eva

Thank you, Eva, for allowing us to share your insights here.

Dave's free drawing and painting classes are on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

The Rogue Bindis

The Rogue Bindis performed at this year's Folk Art Festival, dancing in the grass to happy crowds. This lovely photo is by Elaine Russell, one of the vendors at the show.

Sharie's Studio Journal

Well the Folk Art Festival is over and as others have posted it was a success. Lots of art making, good food, great music and entertainment through out the park. I have not heard any negative comments. The studio has been quite this week and busy at the same time for those who have the energy to come in because all the supplies that were in the park for the festival now have to be sorted and put away. Today it looks more like the "studio". The puppets and masks remain but partly due to the rain making it impractical to transport them at this time.

If you missed this years festival I am sorry it was overall a great day and we did not get rained out as the forecast threatened.

Come on in to the studio as we are getting ready for the next in house show and fund raiser for OFFCenter. We are gathering and recycling trash left in the park after the festival. It will be fun to see what everyone creates from trash.