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... and my Art Gallery "Sneak Peek" for today is: the VSA North 4th Art Center
(peek #16 in my series of local art galleries and shows)


"North Fourth Art Center is a contemporary art center with a social mission. Our independent nonprofit name is VSA arts of New Mexico (VSA NM), affiliated with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Our center is dedicated to full accessibility in the arts for people of all abilities, ages, cultures and income levels. Since 1981, we have focused on providing arts education and exhibition opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. "

The center encompasses programs through AmeriCorps, The VSA CenterArts, City CenterArts, and an explosive Outreach program. It has a gallery, ceramics studio, multiple classrooms, and a theater.

+++++++++++++++

On Friday, The VSA North 4th Art Center featured the opening reception

by The Barrett Foundation here in Albuquerque.

The place was jam packed with the most fabulous art... and it was such a treat to be able to walk around and see it all... Here are a few photos from my visit.

For more information; including current events and programs: LOOK HERE

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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-----------------------------the Labyrinth at the Patterson Cancer Care Center

My back is not getting much better. I hate to admit it... but I don't think a trip to NYC is very feasible at this point... and I cried when I had to tell my daughter that we would not be going. I feel like I have let her down. I so desperately wanted to take her... it is something she would really like to do... and she has been such an amazing help and such a joy to be around... and I wanted to do something nice for her before we head home.

On the other hand... I am in no shape to be driving/ or riding ...and we should have left already if we were going to spend a day or two in NYC. Add to that the fact that last night my dad had some sort of weird episode that lasted until about 6am... and we were definately needed ... I feel like we can't leave just yet.

Today dad had his 2nd radiation appointment, and it seemed to go well. He is in significant pain... and his meds were adjusted again today to help with that. Coudersport is very fortunate to have the Patterson Cancer Care Center here. It is a huge blessing to so very many people here... and I can't imagine where my parents would be without it. For one, they would be forced to travel several hours to the next nearest cancer treatment facility... and I don't think that either of them would be able to do that.

Additionally... the staff there is amazing. They are extremely caring and knowledgable .... and go more than the extra effort to help people out. Today one of dad's doctors spent quite awhile chatting with my parents... making sure he was getting the care and the medications he needed... it is so very welcome and appreciated.

---->Link to online info on the Patterson Cancer Care Center: here

-----------------------all photos by Elaine A. Russell, taken at the Patterson Cancer Center in Coudersport, PA

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Woke up initially at 6am... just in time to see the sun rising over the woods near CARP park on the north end of Coudersport, PA. (see photo above)
Took Sabrina for a short walk, and went back to bed. It is amazing how much rest a person can need... and yet, still feel tired.

Did some household chores, and called my mom. My dad is tentatively being transferred from Geisinger Hospital back to the hospital in Coudersport tomorrow.. so he can have a few weeks of rehab before coming home. He still needs surgery to completely repair his should socket, and to remove the large tumor on his clavicle... as well as biopsy his lymph nodes... but that will happen down the road a bit. He has done well with his hip surgery... just had a bugger with complications afterwards. Being almost 77 yrs old... I think he is doing really well.

So... here is the plan. I am going to drive to Geisinger this afternoon; stay overnight.... and come back to Coudersport the next day with all the stuff that my parents have had at the hospital (clothing, etc). Dad is going to be transferred via ambulance. My aunt and uncle are going to be driving from Bradford, PA to Geisinger on Wednesday morning, and will pick up my mom and take her with them to Philadelphia.... where they will be going to my uncle's funeral on Thursday.... and then they will bring her back to Coudersport on Friday.

The Wellsboro Diner.............

UPDATE:
I got to Geisinger just fine. I only made one slightly wrong turn; but figured it out right away and was able to turn around. The highways in PA are actually quite nice... some of the best I have seen in the US.

It took me about 3 hours to get to Geisinger. I stopped in Wellsboro PA to have a cup of coffee and some cream of potato soup (and to take some Tylenol for a pounding headache and fever) at the Wellsboro Diner. It is an old train car, that was converted into a diner, and has been in business since 1939. It is right on Route6... and has a distinctly 1950's feel. There is an attached gift shop as well.

On highway 15 ............

From there... I traveled through several small towns. PA is like that. You get little town after little town... with lots of farm land in between. Rarely... will be a town/city of substantial size..... at least, not in the areas I am traveling in. I saw ice and snow on some rock cliffs, several rivers, a swamp area with tons of Canadian geese....and a few Amish carriages driven by horse.

I was able to visit with my dad, and then my mother and I stayed at the "House of Care" .... a guest house for patients and their families... right next to the hospital. The House of Care is a fabulous place. Really affordable rooms ($15 a night).. kitchens... bathrooms.. laundry area... living areas with a library, fireplace and big TV... all snuggled in a little part of the Geisinger campus surrounded by some nice woods. We had a room in the back... and had an excellent view of trees and grass.

Amish carriage near Muncy PA......

Sunset near Danville, PA

(**all photos by Elaine A. Russell)

Links to Wellsboro, PA: here and here
Link to Geisinger House of Care: here
Link to Geisinger Medical Center: here

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*all photos by Elaine A. Russell


Art Gallery: Sneak Peek #2

Today I am featuring the South Broadway Cultural Center here in ABQ. To be honest, in all the years that I have lived here; I didn't realize what a treasure this place is. Now I do.

The South Broadway Cultural Center (SBCC) is "a multi-cultural, visual, performing and literary art center, that promotes, preserves and educates the community about the cultures and ethnicities that define Albuquerque."

My most recent trip to the gallery was a great honor. One of my photographs was featured in the "La Guadalupana 2009 Art Exhibit" that ended on January 5th. The photos I am including for today's post, are from that exhibit; which was curated by Augustine Romero.

In addition to the fabulous gallery space, there is the John Lewis Theater(which hosts musical and theatrical events throughout the year), a public library, and services for youths and adults.


I highly recommend a leisurely visit to this gallery space. It is fabulous.

For more information on the SBCC; click here


Jeff Sipes

unknown artist

Francis Bustamanti

Luis Gonzales

unknown artist

John de Jesus

Amanda Griegos

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The next show at the SBCC, is "OUT OF AFRICA TO THE AMERICAS"

Presented by:THE NEW MEXICO AFRICAN-AMERICAN ARTISTS GUILD

Exhibiting from January 14 through February February 26th, 2010


January 14, 2010 - Thursday - Artists Reception from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Hakim Bellamy; National Champion in Slam Poetry, playwright, actor, journalist, and social justice advocate, will perform his Slam Poetry at the Reception.

Refreshments provided.

Exhibiting their art will be African, Afro-Caribbean, and African artists of the New Mexico African Artists Guild. Curator/contact: Marianne Gendron

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*Don't forget to write me and enter yourself in my "anniversary give-away" --- moongipsies@msn.com. Entries must be submitted by 9am tomorrow!

VSA North 4th Arts Center

photos by Elaine A. Russell

The other day I went to visit a friend as she was getting done work. She works at the VSA Arts of New Mexico on 4th Street in ABQ. I have been to this place before, but only briefly. Now... I got the tour.

"North Fourth Art Center is a contemporary art center with a social mission. Our independent nonprofit name is VSA arts of New Mexico (VSA NM), affiliated with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Our center is dedicated to full accessibility in the arts for people of all abilities, ages, cultures and income levels. Since 1981, we have focused on providing arts education and exhibition opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. "

The Center encompasses programs through AmeriCorps, The VSA CenterArts, City CenterArts, and an explosive Outreach program.

The center has a gallery, ceramics studio, multiple classrooms, and a theater. "N4th Theater is a state-of-the-art, fully accessible 4,000-square-foot black box theater that produces challenging and adventurous contemporary performing arts productions and events, hosts two resident companies and serves as a community arts, culture and education resource."

---Not to mention... ALOT of cool art from the people who go there :)

For much more information; including current events and programs: http://www.vsartsnm.org/.