WHAT:

Giving Shelter

A sister exhibition to

The Cradle Project

WHEN: March 1-29, 2008

Reception: Saturday, March 8, 6-8pm

See page 2 for exhibition programs throughout the month

WHERE:

516 Central Avenue SW, between 5th & 6th Streets, Downtown Albuquerque

HOURS:

Tuesday through Saturday, 12-5pm

IMAGES:

Please contact Suzanne Sbarge, 505-242-1445

PUBLIC INFO:

516 ARTS: tel. 505-242-1445, www.516arts.org

HOW MUCH:

All events are free

516 ARTS presents an invitational exhibition of fifty local and national artists on the theme of giving shelter in conjunction with

The Cradle Project (www.thecradleproject.org), a fund raising art installation for orphaned children in sub-Saharan Africa, organized by Naomi Natale. The vision of The Cradle Project is to utilize the symbolism of empty cradles to represent the lost potential of these orphans. As a sister exhibition to The Cradle Project, Giving Shelter explores the theme of safe shelter, refuge and sacred space.

Giving Shelter

includes literal, figurative and metaphorical images embracing the concept of refuge. Forty contemporary artists from around the country interpret in a wide range of visual media the meaning of shelter to humankind. Exhibition Curator Deborah Gavel says, "We are interested in creatively coming together as an artistic community to bring awareness to a global concern through art."

"I am inspired to see how artists are joining together around an important global cause in a way I have not seen before. It is a pleasure for us at 516 to host such a high level of artistic energy and engagement, and to work with artist Deborah Gavel as the guest curator." says Suzanne Sbarge, Executive Director, 516 ARTS.

Exhibition programs will run throughout the month, and include special events in conjunction with the
Women and Creativity series presented by the National Hispanic Cultural Center. The exhibition reception will be held on March 8, which is International Women’s Day. Gallery programs include talks and film screenings with guest artists and a women’s poetry slam.
 
Calendar of Exhibition Programs

Exhibition Reception • Saturday, March 8, 6-8pm

The public is invited to celebrate the Giving Shelter exhibition and International Women’s Day in conjunction with the Women and Creativity series organized by the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Live music with Guitar & String Ensembles.

Guest Artist Talks: Mary Lance & Carol Hoy

• Friday, March 14, 7:30pm
Documentary filmmaker Mary Lance will speak about and screen excerpts from the work-in-progress of her new film Blue Alchemy: Stories of Indigo, which explores the art and process of making indigo dye with artists from around the world. She will discuss her recent trip to Bangladesh and India, where she filmed women in Bangladesh making the indigo dyestuff, which helps support their community economically. Mary Lance’s film company is New Deal Films, and she is most known for her acclaimed film Agnes Martin: With My Back to the World. Artist Carol Hoy will give a talk titled Taking Refuge on Buddhism and its inspiration in her life and art making process. She is a prolific painter and the co-founder and Buddhist meditation teacher of Copper Mountain Institute in Corrales, New Mexico.

Firestorm

Women’s Poetry Slam & Open Mic • Saturday, March 15, 8pm
Join us in celebrating Albuquerque’s diverse women’s voices with an evening of poetry. The winner from this event will qualify to compete to be the woman who will represent Albuquerque at the 2009 Women of the World National Poetry Slam. Sign-up is at 7:30pm, reading begins at 8pm.

Gallery Talk: Curator Deborah Gavel & Artists

• Saturday, March 22, 2pm
Join us for an exhibition walk-through and discussion with guest curator Deborah Gavel and selected artists.

Guest Artist Talk: Lisa Kessler

• Saturday, March 29, 7:30pm
Guest artist Lisa Kessler from Boston will present a talk about her work which deals with "the church as a failed refuge for children," and she will show her short film Heart in the Wound.