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It's Friday! ... and my Art Gallery "Sneak Peek" is: the ClaireWorks II Gallery
(peek #8 in my series)


In December, owner Claire L. Haye opened her second gallery here in New Mexico.... this time in wonderful Nob Hill. The original ClaireWorks studio and gallery are located in the charming village of Arroyo Seco, New Mexico, a short drive from Taos, on the road to Taos Ski Valley.




Claire L. Haye is the owner and exclusive artist at ClaireWorks, and has been creating art for the last twenty five years (primarily paintings and sculptures) and jewelry for the last fifteen.




I stopped in this week to check it out, and the manager Nancy (as well as the ever handsome Beau the terrier)... was happy to show me around. Featured in this small; but very classy gallery are a few of Claire's sculptures, some very bright and fun paintings, and a wide variety of sterling and precious gemstone jewelry.

All the pieces are very well made, designed, and executed with flair and quality.
I was very impressed with the layout, colors and displays.





In short... if you are looking for a wonderful, quality piece of art or jewelry.... you will definitely want to check this place out.



For more information on this gallery, check HERE


*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Art Gallery: Sneak Peek #4

Today I will be featuring Dreamscapes Gallery.


Dreamscapes is a local art gallery located on 5th street in downtown Albuquerque, owned by artist Jan Jackson.

"Jackson works in an original style she calls “Dreamscapes”. Her paintings of people, animals, and events are stitched to pastel paper or canvas with bright slashes of bold, pastel color. She also works in acrylic, oil and clay. Her most recent work is multi-media sculpture using animal bone, doll parts, fabric and found materials." ...ABQ ArtsCrawl review

I first went to Dreamscapes Gallery this past fall. It is a quiet, unassuming building; and at first; I think the tendancy for most people is to drive right past it. What a shame. While it has a fairly benign exterior; the inside is brimming with color and vibrancy. There are a series of little rooms (this used to be a house), and inside each one (*yes, even the kitchen and bathroom) are works of art to be enjoyed and purchased.

In December, I went for the opening reception of the "Vally of the Art Dolls" show. Wow. It was wall to wall people!!! ... .and the works on display were absolutely stunning. Here are some highlights from that show... which will give you an idea of the cool artwork offered there on a regular basis.


I highly recommend checking it out. Owner Jan Jackson is a very talented artist, and the gallery is one of ABQ's hidden jewels. Bright and funky art abounds here... :)

(*all photos by Elaine A. Russell)


artwork by Melody Mock (link)



artwork by Steven Art Watson


artwork by Michael C. McCormick


artwork by Mercedes Allen



artwork by Leighanna Light (link)

~~~

For more information; please check out the gallery website: http://dreamscapeson5th.com/


Here is the flyer for the next show at the gallery; featuring artist Nick Harmon.


(click on photo to enlage it)

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Art Gallery: Sneak Peek #3
(I hope you are all enjoying this series... I know I am... it's fun to take "sneak peeks".)

Today, I am featuring the fabulous Harwood Art Center.


"The Harwood Art Center is one of the most alive art places in Albuquerque. Once a boarding school for girls, the Harwood Art Center has been home to a thriving art colony since 1992. The Harwood is a community of artists, a gathering place that brings the public and the art community together; it is a secure space for artists to work and a supportive environment in which artistic experimentation is celebrated.

The building's colorful history is etched in the walls and long corridors. Wandering through the high-ceilings and wide hallways of the imposing old brick building is both an exciting and eerie experience. One can easily imagine uniformed young girls living, studying and growing through adolescence in these rooms.

Many of the old classrooms and dorm rooms (whether lonely places of exile or snug havens) are now lively studios for about 60 painters, sculptors, photographers, art therapists, poets, performance artists and graphic artists. "--- info taken from the Collector's Guide


"The Harwood is the community outreach program of Escuela del Sol, an independent, non-profit Montessori school founded in 1968. Harwood was started to build and sustain connections between the school and the neighborhood in which it is located, as well as the larger community of Albuquerque. The unique relationship between school and community art center provides limitless opportunities for personal and community-wide education, enrichment, and growth through the arts." --from the Harwood website

Here are some photos from the wonderful 12x12 Annual Fundraiser Show




I first discovered the Harwood about a year ago. A friend of a friend was having an exhibit there, and I went to see it. I was fascinated with the actual building... as well as all the wonderful things the center does in the art community. Since then, I have been fortunate enough to have seen several shows at the Harwood Center; including the 12x12 Annual Fundraising event.

And... I am now taking my second class through the center... with artist Cynthia Cook.

I think that the Harwood is one of the most vibrant, essential, and active artist hubs in ABQ... and I think it should be on everyone's MUST SEE list.


The Exhibits for January 2010:
David Leigh,"posters"
Cheryl Dietz,"A Safe Distance"
West Mesa High School,"Annual Mixed Media Exhibit"
Shows Run: January 1 - 29



*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Today I went to the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History. While, I suppose, there are some that would not consider it a "gallery"... as in ... let's go buy some art..... I definately consider it one. And so... it is my first "Art Gallery: Sneak Peek" of 2010. (as in ... a peek inside)




The museum, as we know it, first started as a feature at the Albuquerque International Sunport in 1967. It later outgrew the area, and was built in it's current location by Antoine Predock.




According to Fodor's Guide: "This modern structure, which underwent a spectacular 40,000-square-foot expansion in 2004, houses the largest collection of Spanish-colonial artifacts in the nation, along with relics of the city's birth and development. The centerpiece of the colonial exhibit is a pair of life-size models of Spanish conquistadors in original chain mail and armor. Perhaps the one on horseback is Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, who, in search of gold, led a small army into New Mexico in 1540—the turning point in the region's history. Among the museum's attractions are treasure chests filled with pearls and gold coins, religious artifacts, and early maps (some dating from the 15th century and showing California as an island). A multimedia presentation chronicles the development of the city since 1875. The sculpture garden contains 45 works by 20th-century southwestern artists that include Glenna Goodacre, Michael Naranjo, and Luís Jiménez."



Specifically; I went with a friend today to see the "Albuquerque Now" presentation.

Albuquerque Now is a pair of exhibitions, comprised of two distinct installations of recent works created by artists in Albuquerque. A wide variety of media and styles will be featured, from traditional to post-modern, and the artists represented range in age from the mid-twenties to over eighty.

Among the artists included in Albuquerque Now Fall :
Jane Abrams, Garo Antreasian, Cynthia Cook, Ann Dunbar, Betty Hahn, Aaron Karp, Stephanie Lerma, Orlando Leyba,
Reg Loving, Santiago Pérez, Bart Prince, Alan Radebaugh, Holly Roberts, Peter White


It was simply stunning. Words cannot describe it.... but I was blown away.


Curator of Art, Andrew Connors (who envisioned and put together this show) said, ''The more I discover about Albuquerque, the more I appreciate the real, visceral, integral and experimental feel of the art scene here,'' Connors explains. ''Some of our most significant artists possess a pioneering enthusiasm...there’s something about the appeal of New Mexico and the Southwest lifestyle that allows people to be who they are without expectations.''

I couldn't have said it better myself....


Here are some additional links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albuquerque_Museum

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell