September 2020 Calendar of Events at the Open Space Visitor Center
The City of Albuquerque’s Open Space Visitor Center continues to add more public programming following its temporary closure due to COVID-19. Visitor Center staff and volunteers are taking every precaution to keep the facility clean and safe for visitors. All events are held in compliance with the current public health order and are strictly following guidelines from the New Mexico Department of Health as they pertain to social distancing, group sizes, and the wearing of face coverings.
See below for information on new exhibits and programs coming to the Visitor Center:
NEW AND UPCOMING EVENTS
AFTER THE FIRE exhibit presented by Elyse Barkin
September 5, 2020 – October 25, 2020
A new media digital photography exhibit, honoring the heart of the Bosque after the Romero Fire burned through the area in 2012. Barkin’s digital art uses technology as a part of the creative process. Her photographs are layered with texture and color to create her final piece.
Outdoor Field School
2-Day sessions offered in September and October
Join the new Outdoor Field School at the Open Space Visitor Center this fall! Youth ages 9-12 will explore, discover, and learn about the natural world through fun, hands-on science outdoors. Students will foster essential skills used by wildlife biologists, climatologists, and foresters using real scientific equipment to observe and measure the environment of the Middle Rio Grande. Field science techniques, journaling, and outdoor safety will be taught and practiced.
The two-part Introductory Class takes place on Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00am-12:00pm. Class is offered in September and early October. Fee is $20. Registration is required due to limited group size. Register online at play.cabq.gov. Call (505) 897-8831 for more information.
CONTINUING EVENTS
LIGHTSCAPE exhibition presented by Luna Project
July 11, 2020 – September 27, 2020
Luna Project, a group of 12 artists exhibiting since 2003, invites the public to visit their new exhibition “LIGHTSCAPE” at the Open Space Visitor Center Gallery, 6500 Coors Blvd. SW, Albuquerque, from July 11 - September 27, 2020. The show includes, 2d work, pottery, hanging sculpture and book arts and runs through the end of September. The gallery is open 9am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday and five people may be in the gallery at any one time, and 25 total in the Open Space Visitor Center building.
A lightscape is an illuminated environment, a lighting arrangement that picks out some details and obscures others. The natural landscape of Albuquerque’s Open Spaces captures the expansive quality, the intimacy and the clarity of light that has attracted artists to New Mexico for centuries. In this exhibition, the Luna Project artist explore the natural and transformative dimensions of the lightscape that illuminates our real and imagined open spaces. The Luna Project artists are Ruth Cohen, Lauri Dickinson, Mary Dornacker, Cate Eaves, Nance Elsinger, Marta Light, Joani Murphy, Margy O’Brien, Nancy Rutland, Phyllis Benia Salazar, Kris Thacher and Alice Webb. To view bios & artwork, visit the luna project website: www.thelunaproject.org.
Outdoor Explorer Packs
Ongoing
Children and children-at-heart can stop by the Open Space Visitor Center to check out an Open Space Explorer Pack and experience the natural wonders we have to offer. The backpacks are intended to get families outside and in to nature to learn about plants, animals, and cultural resources found within Open Space. Each backpack is filled with exciting self-guided activities. The packs are available for use during Tuesdays-Sundays and must be returned by 4:30pm. Call 897-8831 to reserve a backpack for a particular time and day. Use of the packs is FREE!
About the Open Space Visitor Center: The Open Space Visitor Center is an interpretive hub for the Open Space program, lands, and resources. Visitors enjoy educational exhibits, art displays, wildlife fields, a Traditions garden, Bosque trails, and a variety of talks, workshops, demonstrations and entertainment. The Open Space Visitor Center is located at 6500 Coors Blvd. NW between Montaño Rd. and Paseo del Norte at the end of Bosque Meadows Rd. The Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and closed Mondays. Call 897-8831 for more information or visit www.cabq.gov/openspace.