Culture Shock

\ Apr 21, 2005

2 min read

For a good decade and a half, Magnífico sponsored a juried exhibit designed to showcase the best contemporary artists the Albuquerque area has to offer. Yeah, the event had its share of detractors, but, for my own part, I usually enjoyed it. The show was a messy grab bag of disparate art, but that was always the biggest part of its appeal.

Anyway, you might recall that Magnífico took a hit last year financially. The nonprofit had to give up its swanky Downtown artspace at 516 Central SW, but it was hoped that the organization could continue producing its annual show, which was exhibited every year at the Albuquerque Museum. Currently, though, it looks like Magnífico is defunct.

Thankfully, some long-time arts activists here in town are filling the void by producing a new show called Transitions consisting of contemporary art from Albuquerque artists. Presented by the Harwood Art Center, the show will actually be exhibited in the old Magnífico artspace Downtown.

The show will be juried by Laura Steward Heon, the incoming executive director and curator of SITE Santa Fe. If you're interested in competing, the deadline for entries is Tuesday, May 3. Entries will be accepted in slide format, and must be postmarked or delivered by that date to the Harwood Art Center, 1114 Seventh Street NW. Entry forms are available online at www.contemporaryalbuquerque.com.

E-mail abqcontemporary05@yahoo.com or call 883-9126 for more information.

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Culture Shock

The first annual Santa Fe Short Story Festival kicks off this Monday, April 25, at the Lensic Center (211 W. San Francisco, Santa Fe, 505-988-1234). International literary superstars like Edna O'Brien and Joyce Carol Oates will be in attendance. New Mexico literary heroes like John Nichols, N. Scott Momaday and Tony Hillerman will be on hand as well. There'll also be several famous actors milling around who will read the stories—folks like Ed Asner, Rosemary Harris and Ali McGraw. In other words, this is a major festival dedicated to what Oates has called “a minor art form that in the hands of a few practitioners becomes a major art.” The festival will run through Friday, April 29. Call the Lensic for details.