Santa Fe Downtown » Art

Past as Presence: Joanne Lefrak at Box Gallery

Malissa Kullberg — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:53:48 +0000

Joanne Lefrak is lovely and charming, with a warmth and gentle spontaneity that disarms.

Given the potent mystique of the brooding artist, you might think niceness would be an occupational detriment, or at the least, irrelevant. But if you’re in the business of brokering relationships and gathering stories, it helps to be the sort of person who invites engagement the way a puppy invites touch.

Surely that effulgent loveliness serves her work at SITE Santa Fe, where she works as education and catalogue manager and runs the Young Curator’s Program. It also enabled her to entice ghost town raconteurs to unfurl the old family stories she pairs with the delicate drawings in her show, Past as Presence, currently on display at Box Gallery.

Like any good works of art, Lefrak’s pieces unveil in layers. The fact that she scratched her drawings onto plexiglass is an immediately appreciable neat trick, especially for anyone who has ever tried NOT to scratch plexi and knows just how touchy a medium it is. And it’s also quite cool that wall-mounting and front-lighting these scratched plexi panels reveals pallid but precise images in shadow. What follows is what you feel: the haunting resonance of powerful times past–at the Trinity Site, testing ground for atomic bombs, and in the faint, memory-bent remnants of a vigorous family life echoed in a present day ghost town.

Head down to Box Gallery, downtown in the Santa Fe Railyard, and spend a half an hour absorbing these etheric wonders. Slip on a set of headphones, and listen to the words of the ranchers Lefrak befriended. Share the fresh, direct sense of something not there made real and present by the humble, receptivity of this gentle artist.

Exhibition runs August 27 – October 2, 2010 at Box Gallery “[one of] a dozen galleries … that the serious collector and the discerning tourist would not want to miss.” — Mimi Avins, Los Angeles Times, Travel

Box Gallery is located at 1611-A Paseo de Peralta, across from SITE Santa Fe. Open Tuesday – Saturday 10 – 5; Tel: 505.989.4897

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Real estate agents Malissa Kullberg and Joshua Maes, AKA Changing Gallery, use their listings, where appropriate, to showcase the art, photography, sculpture and other creations of emerging and independent artistic and musical talents.

This Week on Santa Fe’s Creative Scene, August 20th

Malissa Kullberg — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 05:38:11 +0000

“I make things to find out what the ideas in my head look like in the physical world.” –David McPherson

Friday and Saturday night, from 5-9 PM, stop by 1800 Hopewell Street, at the corner of Hopewell and 2nd, to lay your eyes on the AV installation event Reflection Contraption: the brainchild of Meow Wolf member, David McPherson. If you don’t know the unique and scrappy genius of the Meow Wolf Creative Collective, you’re missing some of the freshest, most playful art in action. Poke around their Facebook page and website for a foretaste of the group’s inventive imagination.

“It’s kind of a vintage garage sale where a bomb went off.” (from the Bobby Levin video documentary on Geodecadent)

Bobby Levin (Bobby XI) documents the elements and ideas of last year’s installation, Geodecadent, in a video worth viewing, but it’s a bit like seeing the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in still photos with voiceover. Nothing can do justice to the experience of visiting a Meow Wolf piece itself.

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RSVP for the David Solomon’s Works on Paper Show, or just show up on Friday, from 5-8 PM, at the Jay Etkin Gallery, located in the Artyard behind Warehouse 21: 703 Camino de la Familia, #3103. The installation featured on his Facebook page had nice rhythm. Get a feel for David’s style on his website.

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Sam Haozous will be displaying his photographic work at the Open House Meet & Greet at Standing Buffalo Indian Art Gallery & Gifts on 1422 Second Street. Sam’s a down-to-earth genial guy from a renowned art family. We liked his work at the “Generations” exhibition held downtown at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center back in January of 2009 and look forward to seeing more.

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From 7-8 PM on Friday, head over to Little Wing at the Candyman Strings and Things, 851 St. Michael’s, for Invitational Exhibition Opening to see the work of some of Santa Fe’s finest emerging artists as selected by the SITE Santa Fe Young Curators. Artists include Jesse Salazar, Megan Toon, Kassie Marshall, Olivia Bonfiglio and Spencer Byrne-Seres.

This Week on Santa Fe’s Creative Scene–8/13/10

Malissa Kullberg — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:57:54 +0000

I’m the luckiest kid, I get to do what I love to do everyday. – Phillip

Phillip’s been counting: Ten days, four days and now one. On Saturday, August 14th, Phillip Vigil will have the Opening at Shiprock Santa Fe that he, and we, have been looking forward to since he was invited to join the gallery last October. We met once emerging artist Phillip in the Spring of ’09, when he reached out to us (and a thousand others) via Facebook. We gave him space in several of the Changing Gallery group shows, (described in the posts Sights and Sounds and See and Be Scene) because we were impressed by his knowledge of art history, his huge curiosity and his hunger to grow. We also got to know his generosity of heart–a generosity in evidence when he suggested I use a piece by Matthew Chase-Daniel as the visual for the blogpost. “Matthew Chase-Daniel is Amazing!” he wrote. And a few minutes later, “Use the profile photo!”

Matthew Chase-Daniel’s photo-assemblage portraits “[draw] on the traditions of photography, painting and cinematography to capture the dynamic activity [of seeing.]“

“I do not photograph only one moment in time, but rather a group of moments, selecting the most essential details of a place.”

In the photo to the left, he effectively captures a fleeting bit of Phillip: the focus, the intensity, the polygamy of culture, color, medium and technique. We know who and what we know in the aggregate of our acquaintance, as a moving point of moments, experiences, pictures. As artists do, Chase-Daniel helps us to see what we fail to notice.

Shiprock Gallery is located on the Plaza, at 53 Old Santa Fe Trail, 2nd floor, in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. Tel: 982.8478 The opening for Phillip’s Exhibition will run from 6:00-8:30, Saturday, August 14th.

Malissa Kullberg and Joshua Maes, AKA Changing Gallery, use their real estate listings, where appropriate, to showcase the work of emerging and independent artists. Check out our website at SantaFeRealEstateDowntown.com

This week on Santa Fe’s Creative Scene

Malissa Kullberg — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:12:11 +0000

On some nights, creative options spew like a leaking dike in Santa Fe. However determined, I can’t catch them all. Friday, July 30th is such a night. One friend has an art opening Another is playing music. Meow Wolf is having a dance party. And then there’s the SushiNMTweetup.

Start your evening at Victoria Price Art & Design, 1512 Pacheco Street. The Opening Reception for Alexandra Eldridge ‘s Multi-media exhibition “We are Here So Lightly” kicks off at 5 PM. Come see how salvaged Chinese scrolls transform in the hands of this seasoned talent whose work is a record of layered journeys, both internal and worldly.

Emerging photographer, Carlo Armedariz, will be showing work at Femininity Art Show at Au Boudoir, 1005 St. Francis Drive, #115 from 6-8 PM.

Next, head over to Little Wing, the new performance space at the Candyman, for Electric Miles 2: Yesternow, starting at 8 PM. Musician, teacher and multifarious talent, Peter Breslin, passed over a few rain soaked miles to pull this one together. Bound to be excellent.

Cap your evening at the VFW where the creative forces behind Meow Wolf are hosting Super-Powered Dance Destroyer: the “best dance party in town.” Starts at 9 PM.

Me? I’ll be in Albuquerque, braiding threads of connection into human bridges between two of the State’s leading creative centers. Or just eating sushi, and hoping I plugged the right hole in the dike.

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Santa Fe International Folk Market

Malissa Kullberg — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:44:52 +0000

Despite my passion for travel, curiosity about world cultures and love of art, I had never managed to make it to the world-renowned Santa Fe International Folk Market. I’d always been working. This year, I hit the ground running as a volunteer. Joshua Maes and I spent a few hours working the cashier’s station. It was a high speed intro to market attendees and a fun opportunity to raise money for the Artists Travel Fund, which subsidizes travel expenses for first time artists. Volunteering enabled us to get in free and even more, to be a part of the Great Dance. I highly recommend the experience.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=x97u_gDsZh4

Check out the Market’s Facebook fan page to get a feel for the enthusiasm that fuels the event. Read the Market Wrap Up, which reports on this year’s financial successes and encouraging firsts. “The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market is 501(c)3 organization that provides opportunities for folk artists to succeed in the global marketplace and can make a substantive difference in the life of a participating artist.”

Passing Greatness: a Paean to Musician Bill Hinkley & the Giving Spirit

Malissa Kullberg — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:27:52 +0000

“I’m quite sure that it will take the angel band just a short time to get over the shock of ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ in 5/4 time or ‘Amazing Grace’ to the tune of ‘Gilligan’s Island’.” –Van Mertz

“Bill’s reggae version of the Ballad of Jed Clampett was one of my favorites…” –Mike Tonder

He could sing, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame, backwards.” –Rick Haps Hofacre

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This past Tuesday morning a musical genius slipped away. Bill Hinkley, musician, teacher, and former member of The Sorry Muthas and, with his wife Judy, the house band for the first season (’74-’75) of A Prairie Home Companion, succumbed to the blood disorder that had hammered his body for some five years. I knew Bill from the time he lived in our home. I recall him as skinny, quiet and a bit skittish, a memory that would likely amuse those who knew him as a performer. But I think Bill found his harmony in the world, as many artists do, through observing and responding to what he saw with his medium of choice. And, music, in turn, served as his web of life through which he gave and received generously and joyously.

So what does the death of a Minnesota musician have to do with a blog on downtown Santa Fe?

Beyond my fumbling grief, I write to celebrate an artistic light and the generative life force that each of us brings to the world. Losing Bill just drives me harder to preserve, extol and uplift the creative spirit that feeds and arguably, defines, the Santa Fe community. And to give where I can: in my profession, in Changing Gallery, our effort to support independent and emerging artists and musicians, and in the face of the needs that confront me.

Whatever you have, offer it up with passion and faith that it matters. Need inspiration? Check out the Facebook Wall that celebrates the lives and music of Bill Hinkley and his wife, musical companion and conspirator in delight, Judy Larson

“Well, they all went out upon the lake ~ Rocks, strop, Bye, Mr. Gamble

Got Swallowed up by a cottonmouth snake ~ Rocks, strop, Bye, Mr. Gamble

Bread and cheese upon the shelf ~ If you want anymore, you can sing it yourself….

–Froggie Went a Courtin,’Traditional, as sung by Bill on the album, Out in Our Meadow

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On Friday, June 11th, I will walk the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life to raise funds for cancer education, treatment and research. If you’re in the vicinity of Santa Fe High School that evening, stop by. Check out the ring of farolitos lining the track. If you’re there before dark, you can get a good look at the names and the spirited drawings and decorations that celebrate the many lives touched by cancer. After dark, the bags form a glowing ring of comfort and inspiration. Quite the sight.

UPDATE ON RELAY FOR LIFE:

Thanks to my fabulous donors, I was recognized as the Top Participant in this year’s Relay for Life event in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Actually, I think Barbara Blackwell raised more overall–I was the online leader– but without question, Prudential was the Top Team. I = You who supported me and the work of the American Cancer Society. Thank You.

Santa Fe Artist’s Boot Camp + Art Scene Updates

Malissa Kullberg — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:35:53 +0000

Emerging and independent artists have a low cost opportunity to step up their game with the Artist’s Boot Camp series starting Thursday, May 6th at Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa. Sponsored by the Santa Fe Small Business Development Center and Creative Santa Fe, the weekly workshops focus on issues central to successful sales. The courses run from 8:15 to noon. The $25 fee covers tuition and a continental breakfast, courtesy of the City of Santa Fe and Bishop’s Lodge. Register online, or call: 505. 428.1343

This week on the Emerging and Independent Art Scene….

Friday, May 7th is the LAST night to catch Brittany Linkenheimer’s installation, Class, at the MOV-iN Gallery, 1600 Saint Michael’s Drive
on the College of Santa Fe campus. Class, an interactive installation, “provides the viewer with an experience that goes beyond the visual realm to include tactile and auditory components…a world of uncertainty and attempted self-reassurance [where] the only comfort comes in the form of consistency and repetition.” Produced by Andrew Dawson. Call: 505.982.0389 for more info.

On May 8th, from 7:00-9:00 PM, The College of Santa Fe Art Department presents “¡OINK!” a collaborative event featuring the sculpture, performance art, light installation, video art, sound sculpture and site-specific installation art of 16 CSF students including the man we fan, Red Cell. Look for “installations/objects [that] can be probed by the public as well as performances both staged and interactive.” ¡OINK! takes place at the Thaw Art Building on the CSF campus, 1600 St. Michael’s Drive. Call 505.471.2554 for more info.

On Sunday, May 9th, head to The Screen to see Late Bloomer, Go Shibata’s award-winning cult horror hit. Late Bloomer, is the first film in The Asia Now Film Series, presented by The Process and Tidepoint Pictures. The series runs the Second Sunday of Each Month at The Screen, 1600 St. Michael’s Dr. Film begins at 8:00 PM. Call 505.473.6494 for details. A short Q & A session follows the film.

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Last Saturday, we found ourselves shivering in the blustery winds blowing around the St. Francis Cathedral-Basilica near the Plaza in downtown Santa Fe. May 1st was World Labyrinth Day . We were there to support independent musician, Michael Tait Tafoya, who froze his digits supplying the sonorous soundtrack for the labyrinth meditative walk. Read more about last weekend’s observation in the Santa Fe New Mexican piece Taos Celebrates World Labyrinth Day May 1 And check out Mike’s new, independently produced album, Beyond the Horizon, a multi-layered, all instrumental guitar album. Mike’s both a terrific talent and a fine guy whose smile and pacific spirit run soul deep.

For a tangential, but very cool blogbit on Labyrinths in architecture, read this picture-rich post, The Switching Labyrinth.

From the Ashes of Santa Fe’s Café Phénix…

Malissa Kullberg — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:41:11 +0000

Six Months in Santa Fe: Art by Ryan Helean

Most beings spring from other individuals; but there is a certain kind which reproduces itself. The Assyrians call it the Phoenix. –Ovid

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled over an exchange on Facebook that dug into my mind like a splinter and stewed there, coalescing ideas until it pushed itself back to the surface.

“Thank You again, Santa Fe, for proving to be the hypocritical liittle provincial backwater that you are. Another great business may leave this town, a business that is trying to support “community” and you turn its nose at it because it won’t play into your pathetic alcoholic addictions and pretentious ideas about what a restaurant “should” be. Its becoming more and more clear that I need to get out of here.”

The venue in question was Café Phénix; the author of the post, Steve Brisk, a musician who’d been playing at the Cafe on Thursdays and was preparing for a big show on the 25th of this month. Sample Steve’s work as AudioBuddha at Soundcloud.

Café Phénix was a mighty little downtown dining spot that was muscling its way up to become an institution. More than just a restaurant, it was a community light. It hit all the right notes: family owned and operated; an economic and social grounding to Santa Fe’s eclectic triangle district; a community space for local musicians, artists and even filmmakers to show their work. Where possible, it used fresh, organic and local ingredients. And the food and coffee were good. The NY Times, the Albuquerque Journal, Pasatiempo and NM Gastronome blessed it with positive reviews. Yet it closed in six months, dashing spirits and dreams.

Why it happened, I don’t know. The backstory is someone else’s to tell. What hooked me was that bitter eulogy which held perennial frustrations about being an artist, musician or entrepreneur in Santa Fe to the light.

Mike Tait Tafoya, a fellow musician and friend weighed in:

“Steve you should let go of what your preconcieved notions of what you think Santa Fe should be or how businesses should be supported by others.All you can do is help support it yourself and do what you can. I think you would be hard pressed to find a town this size that is so diverse culturally,politically,spiritualy etc. Bithching to Santa Feans on Fb, not gonna help anything!

Mike continues: “…I don’t argue the fact that people don’t always follow through here, trust me I know. But as artists,musicians or small business owners you have to take into account the risk and ease of your dream not being fulfilled.There are so many musicians,artists, cafes etc. in Santa Fe that it’s extremely hard to capture your audience or patrons.The ratio to these compared to the population here has got to be out of whack for sure. I’ll also say it’s rarely the “good” places or people that survive Santa Fe.”

So, is it the artist or entrepreneur’s responsibility to rise from the ashes of his or her own failed bids for recognition and self renew, or the community’s responsibility to nurture its creatives? I touched indirectly on this topic in an earlier post, Thriving Arts = Thriving Cities

My past two years promoting independent and emerging artists through Changing Gallery have given me a bit of empathy and insight into the struggle of independents to find adequate acknowledgment and support. One reason is the “out-of-whack” ratio of producers to consumers. In the late 80′s, the Harper’s Index put the chances of a Santa Fe resident being a “healer” of some kind at 1 in 52. Today, I’d put the chance of a Santa Fe resident being an active or aspiring creative at about 1 in 10. There are a whole lot of people vying for each other’s money and attention.

It’s sad when a good venue goes down or a creative contributor leaves town. Especially in music. We need more good music. But I don’t buy that “If Fanta Se can’t grow and evolve, it will die!” in the words of one voice. That “out-of-whack” ratio also means there are a lot of sympathetic souls, a lot of locals who value creative endeavor.

Rants and losses can drain our life force or pique us to action. Here’s hoping that the death of Cafe Phenix will incite us to remember that while artists, musicians and visionary entrepreneurs must do all they can to self-sustain, some simply cannot survive without external breath. If you’ve been thinking about checking out a new artist, musical gig, or event, do it. You never know whether the coin of your attention may make the difference between someone giving up or giving it one more try.

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Tonight, Friday March 26th, Mark Frossard is unveiling a mural at Studio Nia, 851 West San Mateo Opening reception for Mark and four other artists, 5-7 PM.

Also opening tonight at the Jay Etkin Gallery, Camino della Familia, #3103, behind Warehouse 21, is a solo show of new oil-on-aluminum paintings by David Solomon, the force behind BANG! Gallery.

And at the Santa Fe Complex : The Art and Science of Systems Biology a two-day event that “celebrates the grand tradition of the visualization of research—powerful statements made not through words, but through visuals such as DaVinci’s diagrams or Rosalind Franklin’s x-rays.” Event begins Friday at 4:30 with a reception and public lecture, for which registration is FREE but required. Continues Saturday with workshops for kids and an exhibition of pieces that won the NSF-sponsored 2009 International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge, closing with a second lecture on Saturday night.

Catch Ryan Helean’s exhibition of vibrant oil and acrylic paintings, still up at Java Joe’s on Rodeo Road through April 8th.

The Business of Making Culture: an interview w/Red Cell

Malissa Kullberg — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:04:27 +0000

Search for Red Cell on Facebook and you’ll see a haggard face with sad, bitter eyes. A man beaten by life. This is not Red Cell. The tiny headshot of an anonymous, dustbowl prisoner stands in wry contrast to the genial visionary powerhouse himself. But controverting your expectations is stock-in-trade for the man behind The Process, Mov-In Gallery, Vivi Sect and The Jism Archives. Artist-by-artist, event-by-event, Red Cell is expanding the range and definition of art and culture in Santa Fe.

Red’s musical roots run deep. His father was a record collector. “It’s not an exaggeration to say he had about 30-40 thousand records.” Red spent the sixteen years prior to arriving in Santa Fe working in record stores from New Orleans to California and playing in bands, one of which was signed. After he got to Santa Fe, in 2004, he kept his fingers on the strings as manager of local music store, The Candyman. When word came through his contacts that French folk musician, Lippé, was coming to Santa Fe, but couldn’t find a venue, he offered his home. Thus began The Process.

The Process takes its inspiration from the Salons of art force Gertrude Stein. In the 1920′s and 30′s, Stein used to invite creative friends to gather in her living room to share their talents. Performances refined themselves through the process of their presentation. By contrast, the acts Red brings together under the auspices of the Process are often established, but lack the recognition or local following to pack a traditional venue. Still, even if we don’t know who they are, Red does, and he believes in their value enough to offer up a good chunk of his time and energy –and occasionally his living room–to help these talents shine.

“Unusual and intimate settings encourage interaction and genuine involvement with live music, art, film, spoken word, performance art and each other, ” says Red on Facebook. I agree. The small, odd space has been the setting for some of the most powerful, affecting music, dance and theater I’ve seen and heard. Tiny clubs, gyms, churches, sidewalks, and subway tunnels are where stories brew and magic happens; where the artist can get a feel for and be inspired by the audience and the audience can move past the passivity of virtual experience onto the dance floor.

Although many musical events have taken place at Red’s own home on Hillside, more are being set up at public spaces such as The Santa Fe Complex and Corazon. Larger, more accessible venues enable Red to reach wider audiences and share his love for music and art with a broader swatch of people.

Red’s vision is broad and long range and he uses a multitude of means to achieve it. He’s a full-time student at the College of Santa Fe, completing self-designed degree program in experimental curation. He’s current curator of the MOV-iN Gallery, “a multi-media gallery dedicated to the exploration of new technologies and time-based arts, Video Art and New Media. Along with Patricia Sautoff, former Arts and Culture editor for the Santa Fe Reporter, he has created and maintains a website called The End of Being: an Esoteric Guide to Difficult and Unusual Art, Music, Film, People and Ideas. All these vectors are threads in the web of his ultimate goal: to found and curate Interzone, Inc. an International, 3-day, bi-annual experimental music and arts festival in Tangier, Morocco. “The fringes of cultures have always fascinated me; [because stuff that's] way out there is transformational for the artist.”

Red Cell had hoped to take off the past year, writing material for a end-of-year performance with his band Vivi Sect, but there are too many things he wants to see happen. “I’ve lived in some great cities that entertained me; here [we] need to entertain [ourselves.] Speaking of Santa Fe’s vigorous independent, alternative and emerging arts scene, which includes such players as Meow Wolf, High Mayhem, Bang! Gallery, and The Santa Fe Complex, “I thoroughly support everybody in town who is making any kind of effort to do something special and unique. We need more synergy. What grows serves everybody.”

Eventually, he’ll be moving to Morocco. But he’s here right now, stirring up what he can. “While I’m here, I want to help shape what I capable of. I want to be in the business of making culture.”

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TONIGHT: Feb. 18th, 9:30pm, head to the Catamount in downtown Santa Fe for two hours of all original, indie/ElectroAcoustic with a Flamenco Twist by Mike Tait Tafoya performing as DaCapo Sol. No Cover

Every Thursday, unwind to the smooth house sounds of AudioBuddha at Cafe Phenix 1414 Second Street, Santa Fe. Decompression features the latest chill, dub and dubstep. All ages show. No cover, but donations greatly encouraged! Cafe Phenix: “local organic agriculture, slow food and the best coffee in town!”

TOMORROW NIGHT: Head out to Corazon for Up All Night With Mayor Coss Meet the Mayor; hit him with questions and concerns. Play bingo with a drag queen. Pick up some art, or just dance. Event starts at 5:30.

UP AND COMING:

On Saturday, February 27th, 8-11 PM, don’t miss the Cooper Moore/Jeremy Barnes Duo: an evening of improvised music with pianist/instrument builder Cooper-Moore and Jeremy Barnes of A Hawk and A Hacksaw. Cooper-Moore, a renowned pianist/story-teller/instrument maker from New York will showcase his amazing virtousity at the “diddley bow”, the “twanger” and the “horizontal hoe-handle harp”. He might even sit down at the piano. At The Santa Fe Complex, 624 Agua Fria St., Santa Fe. $10.00 admission. Call 982.0389 for more information.

On March 6th, from 5-8 PM, Changing Gallery presents The Skin Around a Soul an exhibition of photography, paintings and encaustic work by Carlo Armendariz, Alex Ellis, Mark Frossard, Faith-Michele James, and Jonathan Tercero. Works explore the dressing and undressing of the body to reveal a subject’s essence. At the Bella Donna Condominiums, 111 East Santa Fe Ave.

Thriving Arts = Thriving Cities: Towards a Santa Fe + Albuquerque Arts Link

Malissa Kullberg — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:20:53 +0000

Egg Painting 4 by Halle Treanor

Great cities are defined by great art. We acknowledge the fact, profit from the spirit, but don’t necessarily involve ourselves with feeding our city’s vital arts character. Blessedly, in New Mexico, many do.

Last week, I took part in #abqtalk: a Twitter Talk show moderated by William C. Reichard, multi-talented communications pro and author of the blog Technoagita. Although the concept of any number of people simultaneously tweeting on a target topic sounds like a recipe for mayhem, it works. Reichard invites newcomers, thanks departers, adds missed links and repeats tweets to cohere and clarify the flow. Last week’s subject was the arts in Albuquerque; the “panel” three of the Duke City’s arts organizations: Popejoy, a performing arts venue seating 1985 patrons bringing in touring acts to New Mexico, Chroma Studios, “an art center with studios, gallery, performance space where creatives can work, play, show and perform their ideas” and The Harwood, “a community art center that focuses on promoting education and visibility for artists, would be and could be artists.”

Participants acknowledged the impact of the recession and their role in keeping interest alive. “When money is tight, said @ACiepielaBFT, sometimes people forget what a difference the arts can make in their life. In the words of @TheHarwood “to build the arts audience in abq, we also need to inspire it – show people how creativity & art are relevant.”

Some tweets spoke of perennial roadblocks–ego, snobbery and inadequate funding among them. What surprised me was to hear of the difficulty that these established, and fairly high-profile venues face in getting the word out.

Several organizations decried the lack of “a centralized email calendar”and lamented that with “so much going on we don’t always make the cut on [published] calendars.” One participant noted that Albuquerque arts venues also must acknowledge how they are perceived outside the state: locals know we are an arts locale, nationally, people think Santa Fe.”

I sense an opportunity.

My focus, here and with Changing Gallery, is to promote the arts, businesses, events and people of downtown Santa Fe. I am particularly committed to promoting independent and emerging artists who operate outside of the gallery system. The blog is one place where you can find out about the activities, news, culture and players of the Alt/Indie/Emerging Arts Scene. I intend my work to be complementary to, not opposed to, the efforts of local galleries who cannot fund, represent or support every creative that crosses their paths.

According to a survey by the nonprofit group Americans for the Arts, over the last ten years the number of arts organizations increased rapidly at the same time that the percentage of people attending arts events declined. Too many hands are reaching out for pieces of a dwindling pie. The good news is that there are many people motivated to preserve a vigorous arts presence. The challenge: how do we work together to create strength for all?

I do not have immediate, definitive answers but I offer what I have: my brain, my heart, my snippet of time, and my blog.

North/Central New Mexico, let’s start with the longed for centralized calendar. We can use this informational meeting place to build a sturdy bridge between Santa Fe and Albuquerque: two vibrant arts communities whose proximity and complementarity are an open conduit for cooperative effort. Santa Fe: if you’ve never been to an ArtsCrawl, make an effort. Check out the offerings at Chroma Studios and The Harwood Art Center. Take a look at the full spectrum of activities provided by Popejoy Hall. And Albuquerque, don’t dismiss Santa Fe as snobby. Every been to a performance by WiseFoolNewMexico?

“Every thriving city I can think of has a visible, supported, and bustling art scene,” said @TheHarwood last week on Twitter. Let’s be that thriving Twin City.

I look forward to your commentary and shared energy.

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THIS WEEK ON THE SANTA FE/ALBUQUERQUE ALT/EMERGING/INDIE CREATIVE SCENE

Chace Haynes’ show People, People! is still up at High Mayhem at 2811 Siler Lane in Santa Fe. Chace plans to be at the studio this Saturday and Sunday, from 1-4. Call him at: 505.670.6115 to confirm or arrange an appointment.

Check out the appealing abstract paintings on Halle Treanor’s Art Page We met Halle at an open house at our listings at 111 East Santa Fe Ave. Her blog includes a link to Halle’s site on Fine Art America which features more photography than painting.

Albuquerque based FractionMag is a photography site of distinction. Great people driving great work by emerging and independent photo talents.

Mark Frossard has the first of a new series on his website plus a new edition of his blog Duck Hunt Reviews Check them out.

Red Cell and Patricia Sautoff continue their admirable work at The End of Being : a guide to difficult and unusual art, music, film, people and ideas.

Jenna Gerbach’s still pumping out her humble brilliance at MyHungryEye

Finally, take a look at a sensitive, piercing collection of photos by KayLynn Deveney chronicling the daily life of a Welsh man by the name of Albert Hastings. Photographer Kaylynn Deveney happens to be William C. Reichard’s wife, but my endorsement is spontaneous and unsolicited. This is simple, powerful stuff.