CiRQ Gallery took over the former Sol Arts building at 712 Central SE and opened its doors in February 2009. "We’re trying to show contemporary artists, often with edgy themes and ways of presentation," says gallery co-founder David Hampton. "We’re looking for new blood, to introduce newer artists to the scene and bring Albuquerque alternatives to the typically Southwestern style, landscape art." The result is a gallery representing Albuquerque art with a distinctly urban streak.Hampton and co-founder Ernest Doty met two years ago and bonded over art. "We’re both entrepreneurially minded," says Hampton. "We’d travel together and go to galleries and decided what we wanted to get from those galleries for our own. It was basically a game that evolved into an actual thing."CiRQ hosts breakdancing classes and live music in addition to art. Hampton says the gallery hopes to start art classes for kids and expand its breakdancing classes to the younger set. CiRQ typically opens a new show the first Friday of every month. Their current exhibit, featuring Shawn Pham-Warrick, Gabriel Marquez and J. James Forsythe, runs through August 7. On July 20, at 8:30 p.m., CiRQ hosts Brooklyn-based multimedia performance collective Che la Ke for $5. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, Noon to 6712 Central Ave SE242-3970cirqgallery.com
CiRQ Gallery is located at 712 Central SE and is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. For more, call 242-3970 or go to cirqgallery.com.
