Tim and Greg go aerial for FOUR @ N. FOURTH

Published August 20, 2023: “Art is not to do with the practical side of making a living. It’s to live a fuller human life.” (Henry Moore). I was looking for a quote that related the way I feel about my life as an arts administrator—money not being the driving force.

Old dogs and new tricks. You know that one, right? Can’t teach ‘em. My career in the world of art in its mysterious ways and forms has always been about me learning, not to make the dance or the play but to see its value and try to figure out how a few more New Mexicans could explore it with me. This year, for the first time, I’ve been doing that in some more depth with the visual arts. Exhibits in galleries N4 and X. I think I’m almost a curator, an exhibitions curator. Except I’m inviting the artists, not selecting the art. What fun it’s been, is being, will be for a few more months.

NOTE: In the original blog post blurbs about the different exhibits went along with the photo. That isn’t possible to do in this computer book-print, so I and whoever happens to read one of these blog books will have to conduct a bit of detective work to figure out which is which or, better yet, just enjoy each separately.

The first show in the series was fall 2022’s “Art Stories: It’s Personal.” In winter, “As It Was: Works by Tamara Zibners.” An early spring exhibition resulted from an artists’ consortium request which fit all of the criteria, “Rock Paper Canvas.” Then “counterpoint” in late spring, and the exhibit now winding down, “Four@N. Fourth.” Two major shows will delight visitors to North Fourth this fall/early winter and then, North Fourth Art Center, as we’ve known it, will close its doors briefly in anticipation of a new and exciting future.

“Art Stories: It’s Personal,” was featured in a previous post…photos here are to remind you.

Art, in its multitude of forms, has been central to both my personal and work lives. Primarily in the guise of writing in the former and contemporary dance-theater (managing and programming the KiMo Theater and directing all aspects of Global DanceFest) in the latter. My career, as an art center director has also included overall management of a public art program and the North Fourth Art Center galleries. When I consider this description of my career I realize how ‘absolutely positively’ (to quote my 12-year-old-self) fortunate I have been. Art-stuff truly is a grand way to earn one’s living.

So, for dessert—moving toward retirement in early 2024—I’ve been trying on a curatorial role. One who selects and/or oversees the works that go into an exhibit or collection. Again though, I’m not selecting each piece of art directly—even more pleasurably, I’ve been inviting the artists who will exhibit their work in our galleries and assist in the selection of other artists to participate in their shows. Even if that simply makes me an almost-curator, it has been the most fun I’ve had for some time. And just think how good it will look on my resume!

Along with Susanna, the primary host/curator of two of our brilliant shows and promoter of the whole program, and Tim, who has curated numerous art shows here at North Fourth over the years and has been my primary guide in much of what what’s gone on this year, we have hosted some stunning exhibits in the larger N4 Gallery and in our new Gallery X. They’ve been by turns gorgeous, eclectic, curious, fantastic, intimate, challenging, and great fun—sometimes all at the same time—and they have included some of New Mexico’s most imaginative and talented artists.

It all started late summer of 2022 when we decided to reinvent one of our classrooms as a more intimate gallery space, a place for smaller or earlier works, work that told personal stories or added to an artist’s oeuvre. The art in Gallery X could be an extension of what artists were showing in N4 or a separate exhibit altogether. Happily, it turns out Gallery X has its own unique personality beyond what we had imagined. It always feels like a personal moment has commenced when entering.

The first exhibit was “As It Was: Works by Tamara Zibners.”

While “Rock Paper Canvas” wasn’t developed within North Fourth, it was a spectacular show, with my photos focusing on Mark Feldman’s elegant rock sculptures.

As the gallery thinking progress, I realized that, even though we’ve had some commendable group shows at North Fourth, my personal preference is always to see a range of one or a select few artists’ art at one time. A chance for a thoughtful moment with the breadth of an artist’s work Why not focus on that strategy for this final year of the galleries as a North Fourth Art Center program? There would be from one-three two-dimensional artists and one sculptor for all shows—and exceptions would be limited! Tamara was an exception, ready to fill both galleries with both very-large-collages and an intimate literary and pictoral display of family history. The sculptor we couldn’t find in time for her show wasn’t necessary; the color and depth and vibrancy of her work filled the space perfectly.

I thought of the artists I’ve known and admired over my Albuquerque years and the artists they know… and the artists that show all of the time all over the state and country and the artists who are slowing down their creative lives but whose work the community still enjoys.

I called a few friends who called a few friends…

Bruce Davis for example. Bruce, an architect/artist/man-about-art-town came up with an idea to occupy the upper reaches of the gallery with his installation, “A Juxtapoisition of Semaphore,” leaving the walls to his artist friend LaVerne Harper’s “Inside the Blue Studio.”

Which brings me to the show, “FOUR @ N. FOURTH,” in the gallery for only a few more days. This show is with four highly-thought-of New Mexico artists, most of whom have been admired by all for many years: Wes Pulkka, Emily Trovillion, Greg Tucker, and Laura Wacha.