New Mexico Mercury

Last Saturday, 516 ARTS had its opening reception for "Heart of the City," a new exhibition exploring the "intersections of art, urban planning, cultural and economical development, education and community dialogue through a variety of lenses to focus on the urban center and identity of the city."  The exhibition takes place in a variety of locations around Albuquerque from Feb. 1st - May 3rd.  According to Executive Director Suzanne Sbarge it was the organization's largest opening with a line to get in that stretched around the block.  Some 1,200 visitors made their way through the two-story exhibition space in Downtown Albuquerque.  The Mercury was there to capture the little video collage above.  With a packed house, the vibe was upbeat, excited and enthusiastic.  Artists were accessible, took questions and conversed with the multitude of eager onlookers.  The building's setup made for good crowd flow with enough space to stop and get a good look at the variety of separate mini-installations. 

The range of pieces and collaborations gazed at Albuquerque's downtown center while exploring urban identity and New Mexico cultural heritage.  The questions that arise are ones for urban centers anywhere.  If an urban center or downtown represents the main artery of a locale, what are the signs of heart disease or of its socio-vascular health?  It's exactly the type of event Albuquerque could use more of, and serves as a model for the questions we as a city should be exploring more often through collaborations of this kind.  The crowd left the building intellectually stimulated and looking for a meal, more beer or an evening coffee in an urban core struggling to find its identity. 

We'll be doing more segments on the artists and individual aspects of "Heart of the City" in the near future.  Check out the "Heart of the City" program for detailed information on each of the artists and their collaborations.  Also, check out photos from opening night.  516 ARTS is located at 516 Central Ave SW in Albuquerque. 

From 516 ARTS website:

What does the condition of the city’s urban core say about the heart and soul of the city? Heart of the City, organized by 516 ARTS, is a collaborative project and exhibition that examine intersections of art, urban planning, cultural and economical development, education and community dialogue through a variety of lenses to focus on the urban center and identity of the city. Downtown Albuquerque is the historical crossroads, transit hub, government seat and identifying skyline for the largest city in the state, but it also exhibits many of the challenges that face Albuquerque and other urban centers across the country.

Heart of the City examines the strengths, weaknesses and needs of the city’s urban core, seeking to articulate and imagine an alternative future for Albuquerque that resonates with optimism and possibility. From street art and murals to urban planning and community activism, this project centers around an exhibition at 516 ARTS that features a series of projects created by lead artists and student apprentices, public art projects and public programs including forums, workshops and events with artists, planners, architects, students and activists focused on envisioning the future of Downtown Albuquerque.

516 ARTS is bringing together 12 organizations representing colleges, high schools, artist collectives, educational organizations and small businesses. Many of the projects include an intensive experience for students working with a lead artist who will teach a class or do a residency around their project, which will culminate in their installations in the exhibition at 516 ARTS and a few exciting public art projects around Downtown. The exhibition will include sculpture, painting, photography, interactive work, installation, video, new media and artworks focusing on social engagement.