Art On The Rio experienced quite the year in 2021 – and we are launching into 2022 with NEW experiences and shows to offer. That’s right, rather than the same old song and dance. We are shuffling into 2022 with some different cards to play. We aren’t along the artwalk but we will be dancing to our own tune, for the folks in ABQ who want to see a little something different. If you haven’t seen our site lately, you should go check it out. We have added a MAP function where you can find all our participating brick and mortar partner locations. That means on any given day – not just First Friday, you can tour the town and #BuyArt.
But, don’t you worry, we will be creating some instances in which we create community and a buzz about things that doesn’t require alcohol. Soon, we will be announcing our FIRST show for 2022 that you can attend literally from the comfort of your own home!
Thanks to grant funding from the City of Albuquerque and UETF we will be hosting a VIRTUAL ART OPENING! Ben Hensley, our NFT Manager and Creative Director at Art On The Rio, is busy curating a show on the Spatial platform that will be accessible via your tablet, computer, or VR headset, in March! Don’t sleep – stay tuned – and be excited. Sign up for your Spatial account NOW!
We are also excited to be partnering with DoinGUD an NFT sales platform and outlet that Ben has been working with closely to set up our connection to; Art On The Rio has been given access as a “Creator” for DoinGud. Thanks to Ben’s work, we will be offering artists throughout New Mexico, opportunities to attend NFT Creation Nights, where we will walk interested parties through the processes of creating and selling their works in the digital metaverse! Yep – art has gone global/digital – and we are here for it – HERE TO HELP! Keep your eyes peeled and your ears to the street for the next MEET!
Not everything we do will be in the realm of digital arts and the metaverse; we don’t want you thinking we’ve completely abandoned the streets! So much of what we do and what we’ve been lucky and grateful to accomplish, has been by way of our community presence and partnerships. One of our cherished partnerships is with American Home Furniture on Menaul and Carlisle. They took a chance on ABQ artists when we launched, and said yes to putting the work of artists we work with and for, on their sales floor.
At any given time, there is over $20,000 worth of art for sale at American Home Furniture. We want to give them a nod, and make a big deal about that – so, in May we will be hosting a Meet the Artists Mixer and Art Opening at American Home Furniture! Stay tuned for the details on that as they hit Facebook. You can look forward to: Live Painting, Music, Food and Drinks, and an opportunity to meet the men and women behind the paint brushes! Art on the Rio is a community driven capacity building effort. We couldn’t do it without you, Burque. So we look forward to doing so much WITH you in 2022!
Cheers!