Building/Rentals > Art Gallery

ART GALLERY

We, the members of the First Unitarian,
agree to . . .

minister to each other in an atmosphere
of welcome, acceptance, and caring

Sanctuary Art Gallery

The Arts and Aesthetics Committee runs the Sanctuary Art Gallery at our Albuquerque location, which serves as a visual art ministry for the congregation. Exhibits on the sanctuary's two side walls add to the nurturing and spiritual setting for our church services there. The committee seeks a diversity of shows in a variety of media, with content appropriate to the sanctuary. We include two-person and group shows, work by church members, and an occasional juried theme show. Seven or eight exhibits, each lasting six to seven weeks, comprise our yearly schedule. Besides enriching our sanctuary setting, the art provides income for the church; 30 percent of any work sold goes to the church budget.

Usually our selection process begins in January with an invitation to artists to submit images for a screening. From the screening, the committee chooses the artists who will then be invited to bring actual work for committee review, one or two at a time during our monthly meetings. We schedule our shows about a year ahead. If you would like to be considered for a show at First Unitarian, click the information link for potential exhibitors to the right for more details.

Current Art Show

The current show in our Sanctuary Art Gallery is Uncommon Threads II.
The New Mexico Art Quilters offer their best efforts in this exhibition. A local group of passionate fiber artists who are members of Studio Art Quilt Associates, an international organization with over 2500 members, have been organizing exhibitions throughout New Mexico since 2003. Indeed, they had a most successful show here at First Unitarian 2 years ago. These artists combine their exceptional skills in working with fabrics, threads, and their artistic insights to craft stunning tactile creations that inspire, elevate, and encourage reflection. The exhibit will hang through February 17. The person in the purple scarf or hat on Sundays will assist you if you'd like to make a purchase. The church receives 30% of all sales.

Join Us

If you have never placed a brush on canvas, that does not mean you are not artistic. We have a couple of members who fit this description; they bring an appreciation for art, experience visiting galleries, enthusiasm and willingness to help us do our best. We have a very exciting schedule of exhibits for 2011; many of the artists have never been shown here before, and our members are responsible for choosing them. Our meetings are convenient – they are on the 4th Sunday of the month at 12:15 in the Library off the Sanctuary. 

Feel free to ask us about our work. Members are: Audrey MacDonald, Betsy Townsend, Bob Wood, Carole Bonda, Debbie Smith, Jane Baldwin, Jim Middleton, M.L. Newburn, Marta Light, Neal MacDonald, Priscilla Sweet, Sally New, Sonia Contreras-Plath, and Suzanne Visor. We can also use some volunteers to help with the hanging of the shows, the Mercado, etc. One of us is always wrapped in a purple scarf on Sundays.

Get Involved

Would you like to help with organizing gallery shows, handling art sales and providing input on arts and aesthetics at the church? Drop us an e-mail!