WAG the Decade
The 10th annual Weekend at the Galleries brings art lovers to Silver City, Oct. 6-9.
What began 10 years ago as a simple way to promote Silver City's gallery scene, which was then beginning to burgeon, today has become one of Southwest New Mexico's signature arts events—the Weekend at the Galleries (WAG). This year's 10th annual Weekend at the Galleries, Oct. 6-9, will spotlight more than 200 artists featured in 26 participating galleries.
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Appropriately for the event's 10th anniversary, a special added attraction this year will be "TIME"—short for Temporary Installations Made for the Environment. From Oct. 4 through Nov. 6, 10 temporary, visually engaging and conceptually rich environmental artworks that relate to the theme "Alchemy" will be on display all over town. The works have been commissioned by New Mexico Arts' Art in Public Places Program in collaboration with the Mimbres Region Arts Council (MRAC). According to the arts council, "The artworks have been created by artists from New Mexico with the intention to engage, inspire, puzzle, amuse, seduce and encourage the creative mind of the spectator." Among the participating artists will be local favorites Cecilia Stanford and Barry Namm. For locations, see the map.
The main WAG festivities kick off on Friday, Oct. 6, with the annual wine gala, 5-7 p.m. This year's gala will be hosted by the new Isaac's bar and restaurant at the corner of Bullard and Broadway and will feature wines and appetizers. Tickets are $15 and are available at the MRAC offices in the Wells Fargo Bank Building.
Art Walks begin on Saturday, Oct. 7, with opportunities to tour downtown art galleries—many of which will be having openings and special events—from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday's Art Walk will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a final Art Walk on Monday, Oct. 9, also from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Bad News Blues Band performs on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Buffalo Dance Hall, 211 N. Bullard; tickets are $10.
For more information on Weekend at the Galleries, call the Mimbres Region Arts Council at (888) 758-7289 or 538-2505, or see www.mimbresarts.org/WAG.html.
Guide to Participating Galleries
Art & Conversation
614 N. Bullard St., 534-4881, www.artandconversation.com
Nationally known metal artist Janey Katz will be showing metal sculpture works cut from the roofs and hoods of old vehicles. Fiber and ceramic artist Suzi Calhoun will showcase her functional vessels and wearable fiber art. A new Barry Namm fountain sculpture, "Stoneman Family," will be on view at The Hub across the street from the gallery. Katz will offer special demonstrations of her metal cutting technique with a plasma torch Oct. 7, 12-2 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., and Oct. 8, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Atelier 108 McCray on Broadway
108 W. Broadway, 538-9538, www.DorothyMcCray.com
This long-standing Silver City gallery will feature Dorothy McCray (see the January 2005 Desert Exposure), showing her modern and expressionistic paintings and hand-pulled prints. Also showing Patricia Tabor's plein air paintings of the Southwest. The gallery will have receptions with hors d'oeuvres Oct. 6 and 7, 6-8 p.m.
Azurite Gallery
110 W. Broadway, 538-9048, www.azuritegallery.com
On the corner of Broadway and Texas St., this gallery will be showing oils by Sandy Urban, watercolors by Marilyn Gendron (see the June 2006 Desert Exposure), animal pottery by Stacy Schwarz and Cecil and Linda Boatwright's contemporary fine jewelry and pastels (see September 2006 Desert Exposure). Artist Sandy Urban will be on hand for an opening reception Oct. 7, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Bloomin' Gourdworks
211-A N. Texas St., 534-1071
"Twisted Fine Art & Folk Art" featuring Bob and Casey Luria (see the June 2004 Desert Exposure), Kristen Cameron (see the November 2005 Desert Exposure), Rachel F. Bighley, Susan Szajer, Suzanne Baca, Bill Kaderly, Brenda Wilhite, Gabriella Denton (see the June 2005 Desert Exposure) and Jeff Turner. There will be an opening Oct. 7, from 5-8 p.m. with live music by Bayou Seco on the enclosed courtyard patio, where special sculptures for the weekend event will be installed.
Blue Dome Gallery
307 N. Texas St., 534-8671, www.bluedomegallery.com
The show will be "Feast II," which will feature a 16-foot-long dining table with handmade dinnerware from 12 different ceramic artists, along with oil paintings by Liza Jane von Rosenstiel, richly colored, intimate scenes of animals and mankind, including new work. The Blue Dome also shows jewelry, furniture, photography, sculpture, glass and paintings. There will be an opening reception with the artists present Oct. 7, 4-7 p.m.
Common Ground
102 West Kelly St., 534-2087
Common Ground is an art space encompassing "Geisler Studio" (painting); "Fenestra's Panes in the Glass" (blasted glass); "Paula's Wet World" (tropical fish) and "Big Sister Productions" (television). It will present "Drive-By Art Shows" each evening at dark ("7:30-ish")—"random selections from 25,000 years of art history with an emphasis on the last 10 years in Silver City, NM."
Creations & Adornments Gallery
108 N. Bullard St., 534-4269, www.silvercityartists.org
This gallery will sponsor San Vicente Artists of Silver City, as a group. They will feature diverse work including 2-D in all media, 3-D pottery, fabric art, gourd art, small sculptures and jewelry. The gallery will host receptions for the artists Oct. 6 and 7, 4-7 p.m., with Daniel Gallardo playing live music on Oct. 6.
EKLEKTIKAS Gallery
104 W. Yankie St., 538-8081, www.eklektikas.com
The gallery's exhibit, "Fantastic Voyages," will feature acrylic paintings, including new works, by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg (see the February 2006 Desert Exposure), oil paintings by Sarah Hylton and clay/ceramic sculptures by Marsha Schindler and Wendy Rudick Shaul. There will be an opening reception for the artists Oct. 7, 4-7 p.m.
Elemental Arts
106 W. Yankie St., 590-7554, www.gourdweb.com
This gallery is chock full of unusual art. Owner/artist Valerie M. Milner will be showing her gourd vessels and masks (see the August 2004 Desert Exposure). Also featuring Paul Wilson's mixed-media paintings. There will be an opening reception for the artists Oct. 7, 4-7 p.m.
Gallery 400
400 N. Arizona St., 313-7015, www.gilahouse.com
This gallery in the heart of historic downtown Silver City offers a quiet space in which to enjoy contemporary art. Featuring nude abstracts by Steve Lessor.
Gila Resources Information Project (GRIP)
305A N. Cooper St. 538-8078, www.gilaresources.info
A photographic exhibit, "Creative, Sustainable Architecture and Design in the Home," showcases the innovative strategies locals have used to build green homes, including site and building design, energy efficiency and green materials (see the June 2006 Desert Exposure). In conjunction with the exhibit, GRIP will sponsor a home tour Oct. 8, 1-5 p.m., demonstrating the range of creative possibilities for incorporating green concepts into the home.
The Ikosaeder Gallery/Desert Rose Restaurant
315 N. Texas St., 534-0133
This new gallery will be showing the work of Dorothy Wendig McNamara, an award-winning watercolorist from Doylestown, Pa., and Santa Fe. Also featuring the art of owner/artist David Mulvenna. Special sculptures for the weekend event will be installed in the gallery's courtyard.
Leyba & Ingalls ARTS
315 N. Bullard St., 388-5725, www.LeybaIngallsArts.com
Leyba & Ingalls ARTS celebrates its 10th anniversary in October. Featured will be new work by Diana Ingalls Leyba as well as new work by gallery artists: M. Fred Barraza, Romaine Begay, Katy C. Belt, Susan Brinkley, Dayna Griego, Wil Hanson, Gordee Headlee, Judith Hilmer, Teri Matelson, Mary Alice Murphy, Phillip Parotti, Joe Theiman and Melanie Zipin. The gallery will host an opening reception for the artists Oct. 7, 5-9 p.m.
Life Quest
The Outside Gallery Outside
907 N. Pope Street, (505) 388-1976, www.lifequestnm.net
Life Quest, an organization that serves individuals with or at risk for developmental disabilities, will show the work recently created by their clients. An opening reception Oct. 7, 6-8:30 p.m., will feature a slideshow documenting the nine-week tile workshop in which the artists (who will be on hand to meet the public) participated to create their works of art. Clients from New Beginnings also will show works in glass fusion and papermaking. Enter the building from College Street to view the Outside Gallery Outside and the "Lend a Hand" tile mural.
Lois Duffy Art
211-C N. Texas St., 534-0822, www.loisduffy.com
"City of Rocks, Night and Day," works by owner/artist Lois Duffy (see the May 2006 Desert Exposure), and "Illusive Images" paintings by special guest artist Cass Shaw, will be featured at the gallery. Also showing are fellow artist and woodworker Robert Winston's artistically crafted furniture and Santa Fe artist Richard Mole's blown and cast glass. There will be an opening reception throughout the day, Oct. 7.
Luna Gallery & Studio
108 W. Yankie St., 534-4702, www.luna-tic.com
Multiculturally inspired gallery featuring the studio of Luna Jewelry and Ann Simonsen Fine Art, a slate of local artists, including Bill Melendy, Joni Gorsuch and Debra Harrington and others, working in oils, acrylics, metals, fiber arts and more. An opening reception with sushi and the artists on hand will be held Oct. 7, 4-7 p.m.
Ol' West Gallery & Mercantile
104 W. Broadway, 388-1811
This new gallery, next door to the Palace Hotel, is a traditional western gallery of fine art, furnishings, fixtures and beyond. The gallery will serve refreshments over the weekend, a representative from Trails West magazine will give out free magazines and cowboy poet Mike Moutoux will perform. The day before the weekend festivities, Thursday, Oct. 5, Ol' West will host a booksigning by Bob Alexander, who will be signing his new book, Desert Desperadoes, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Seedboat Gallery
214 Yankie St.
This new gallery will be exhibiting selected sculptures and artworks to introduce itself to the art community.
Silver City Museum
312 W Broadway, 538-5921, www.silvercitymuseum.org
"A Mimbres Legacy: Two Museums Connect Through the Past," an exhibit of ceramics by southwest New Mexico's earliest artists, the Mimbreños, from the collections of the WNMU Museum. The museum will observe evening hours for the weekend, and there will be an opening reception with refreshments Oct. 7, 4-7 p.m.
Silver Spirit Gallery
109 N. Bullard St., 590-2039
Some 25 artists will be displaying a wide range of artwork, from pottery to oils to fabric arts. Artists will be on hand throughout the weekend and the gallery will serve refreshments on Oct. 7.
Smith-Benton Gallery
211-D N. Texas St., 590-2200, www.SmithBenton.net
This new gallery will be featuring contemporary art by local, national and international artists including acrylic paintings by Jackie Ritke Jones (see story in this issue) and wire and clay figures by Mary Yardley. Reception on Oct. 7, with refreshments, free flowers and a door prize.
The Studio Space & Gallery
109 N. Bullard St., 535-4548, www.jessgorell.com
Showing original work by photographer Jess Gorell and guest artists Jake Politte, Gil Grady, Dick Johnson, Toni Garland and Luke Ford. Also featuring paintings, photography, jewelry and sculpture. There will be a closing reception for "Buenos Aires: Red, Blanco y Negro," an exhibit of the photographic work of Carmen Ruiz, Oct. 6, 6-9 p.m.
Thunderstruck Art & Design
401 N Cooper St., 313-3371, www.thunderstruck.com
Located at the corner of Cooper and Market next door to WeeleArts, Thunderstruck Art and Design is a photography gallery featuring the work of Alicia Edwards. The gallery shows traditional silver-gelatin prints as well as archival Giclee prints, sun prints and mixed-media collages. In the new exhibit, "The Secret Life of Flowers," Edwards has captured the bountiful flowers blooming on the local hillsides, courtesy of this summer's generous monsoons. The artist will be on hand for an opening reception with refreshments Oct. 7, 4-7 p.m.
WeeleArts
602 W. Market St., 534-3147, www.weelelarts.com
Contemporary ceramics with striking glaze technique and large paintings with powerful images by Tad van der Weele. The gallery will have an opening reception with refreshments and the artist will be on hand Oct. 7, 4-7 p.m.
What's A Pot Shop
300 N. Arizona St., 388-2007, www.harrybenjamin.com
To celebrate its 25th anniversary (which begins next year), What's a Pot Shop will exhibit "200 Years of Clay," featuring the works of Cecil Howard, Horace Cordova, Kate Brown (see the September 2003 Desert Exposure), Beth Menczer and Harry Benjamin (see the May 2004 Desert Exposure), a very special show where each participant has 40-plus years of pottery experience. Nick Carter also will show his large, contemporary oil paintings. Opening reception Oct. 7, 4-7 p.m., and refreshments also will be served Oct. 8.
Yankie St. Artists Studios
103 W. Yankie St., 538-0465
Featuring L.C. Crow's paintings, Hosana Eilert's weavings and Lee McCune's photography, paintings and sculpture. There will be an opening reception with refreshments, and with artists Eilert and McCune on hand to meet the public, Oct. 7, 4-7 p.m.