VIRTUAL Art Along the Rio Grande Art Fair – RECAP

Recapping the Virtual Art Along the Rio Grande Art Fair

Below is a recap of our Virtual Art Along the Rio Grande Art Fair, in case you missed it in real time this year.  You will find information about our virtual event this year and all of the Artists we highlighted.  We hope you will consider visiting their websites, social media pages, and getting in touch with them to purchase their artwork! Also check out this video interview on KRQE for more details on the impact of this Art Fair Fundraiser for the Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge and the Hubbell House Alliance.

If you have any questions about the Virtual Event or information below, you can email us at artfair@friendsofvalledeoro.org

Art Along the Rio Grande was slated for its fourth year this April. The event has quickly become a South Valley spring tradition, bringing together residents of the Valley and from throughout the Albuquerque metro area to stroll the grounds of the historic Gutiérrez Hubbell House and browse and buy art from local vendors to benefit two local organizations which support local public lands including: Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge and Gutiérrez Hubbell House.

The global coronavirus pandemic led first to rescheduling and then cancellation of the April 2020 event, leaving organizers, artists, and community members disappointed. Dave Barber, Friends of Valle de Oro NWF President and planning committee member noted, “Our members and neighbors look forward to getting together, enjoying the beautiful South Valley spring, and supporting two of the places that help our community thrive. In times like this, we need those connections more than ever.” The Friends of Valle de Oro NWR and Hubbell House Alliance sought a way to maintain community connections in a virtual space. Demetria Gutierrez, a member of the planning committee representing the Hubbell House Alliance said, “We wanted to celebrate the amazing community of artists that has grown out of the past three years of the Art Along the Rio Grande art fair. Because we can’t be together in person this year, we decided to set aside the week of June 20-27 to highlight the amazing artists who make this event so fabulous.”

So we opted to host an online event, sharing the work of some of the artists who planned to participate in the event, in tandem with an online auction of selected artwork. We are excited about this new way of sharing their love of art and providing a way for the community to support their work. Gutierrez said, “The Art Along the Rio Grande art fair is an important fundraiser for our organizations and helps support our programs and access to wildlife, art, history, recreation, and culture to the South Valley. We’re grateful to the artists who were able to contribute items to help us make up for some of the lost revenue of this annual event.” Barber added, “The pandemic brought many unexpected changes to our lives and work and will surely continue to do so. We are fortunate to work with the support of a community of artists, nature-lovers, storytellers, and all the other beautiful facets of our shared community. Let’s come together virtually to share and build our community from home, until we can be together in person.”

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Bean Street Studio:

Bean Street Studio is a Certified New Mexico True fiber art and jewelry design studio inspired by nature, memories, and frankly- whatever they like. According to Bean Street Studio, art should make you feel happy, warm, and inspired! The Bean Street Studio artists are new editions to the Art Along the Rio Grande Art Fair, and we are so excited to promote their bead woven jewelry and macrame pods!

Bean Street Studio generously donated a beautiful pair of earrings called “Sunrise” for the Art Along the Rio Grande Online Auction!

You can learn more about Bean Street Studio and purchase their artwork through their online store by visiting: https://www.beanstreetstudio.com/

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Wren Dreams:

LWren Walraven of Wren Dreams has been creating art for over 20 years. While her work and style continues to evolve, she remains inspired by wildlife and nature which feature prominently in her pieces. Her creations include mixed media, oil and acrylic based paintings.

LWren helped plan the first ever Art Along the Rio Grande, and we have been delighted to have her presence at the event every year for the past 3 years, and into a virtual 4th year.

Take a minute to learn more about this local artist and see her beautiful work at www.wrendreams.com

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One Seed Design:

Artist Sarah Wallace is an Albuquerque based jewelry designer and silversmith. Her handcrafted silver and stone pieces are inspired by the varying landscapes and natural beauty of New Mexico.

Her studio, One Seed Design is new to the Art Along the Rio Grande Art Fair, but we are so excited to promote her beautiful jewelry, especially because she is donating 15% of proceeds from her online Etsy store to Outdoor Afro, an amazing organization that promotes equity and opportunity in open spaces and conservation, and an important partner of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge!