Grants – The Double 6 Gallery held its grand opening in its new venue on Saturday, Oct. 28, proudly displaying an impressive array of fine art in the completely renovated 5,000 square foot space.<img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/double6.gif border=1 align=left hspace=4>
The grand opening was the culmination of two years of long, sometimes arduous work, the vision of the Cibola Arts Council (CAC) with the help of community leaders and city, county and state funding.
While not (yet) impressive on the outside (that’s in the second phase of renovation, it due to begin soon) the building on the Historic Route 66, in the heart of Grants, fits the bill described by the CAC and the state capital outlay requirements:
To purchase and renovate a building on the Historic Route 66 to use both for an arts gallery and a museum about the most famous cross-country highway.
The building, at 1001 Santa Fe on Hwy 66, also has lots of parking space, is ADA accessible, has rows of north-facing windows for great lighting and a well-designed, well-lit exhibit area. A side area in the gallery is devoted to computers with internet access for use by the community and a curved counter offers a convenient reception area separating the exhibit space from the business offices.
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"The building is probably from the late 40s or early 50s," says Robert Gallegos, an artist and executive director of Double 6 Gallery.
“Sen. Joe Fidel pulled together the funds for purchase and then there was the need for renovation,” noted Gallegos, giving credit also to Rep. George Hanosh and the city of Grants which also is funding the second phase, the outside renovation.
Gallegos also thanked Grants businessman Paul Milan, whom Gallegos called, “a patron of the arts and a Council member who was instrumental early on to build a better arts society, gallery and museum.”
The arts council is now in the early planning stages of beginning a museum to commemorate Rt. 66. The CAC is working with the University of New Mexico’s Maxwell Museum and a professional planner to develop a five-year plan for a successful museum, Gallegos said.
Gallegos also was instrumental in the opening of the new gallery, although he doesn’t volunteer that information directly. A friendly, enthusiastic promoter of the gallery, Gallegos is a retired state employee who had thought he would be spending a majority of his time with his sculpture. But when the position of executive director of the council opened up unexpectedly during the renovation and moving process, “I resigned as president of the board and I told the board I would make sure the gallery opened up,” he relates.
Ava Peets is serving as President of the Arts Council.
The newest aspect of display is the long hallway which is to be dedicated to youth art on a permanent basis. Double Six had previously dedicated a spring month to youth art.
Even the hours are relatively new: Monday through Friday from 1-5 p.m. and all day Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Gallery welcomes tours by clubs or classes--just call about a week ahead to make arrangements.
The CAC has been active in Grants and Cibola County since it formed in 1974. The council sponsors and produces programs, workshops and events year round. Along with Double 6 Gallery, the Council offers an annual performance and film series, community arts programs and workshops. "The gallery features at least two themed shows yearly, said Gallegos "including the Mount Taylor Show and a Quilters Show." "Another popular event is the annual Mariachi Spectacular during the holiday season," Gallegos added.
The venue provides the background for the great art that lines the walls of the new rooms. Some 30 members are currently showing some 80 pieces in the opening exhibit. “We got a variety,” Gallegos said, “everything from the pretty well known to those just starting.”
I thought the work was excellent and well presented.
Among the pieces on exhibition through December are Gallegos’s own work, Glide of Fossils, a delightfully graceful sculpture casting concentric circles of symbolism in the shadows on the background.
Connie Gallegos’s photographs “Fireworks(Beta) and Fireworks(Gamma) are fun studies in black and white.
Another artist at the opening that we had the pleasure of meeting was photographer Peggy Loyd. Her stunning panoramic views of rugged New Mexico landscapes and ancient anthropological sites are carefully crafted for full visual impact. We also liked her flower collage. Peggy, who lists a Pie Town address, says she and her partner use digital cameras and then print, mat and frame all their own pieces at their rural studio.
There are lots of other artists represented at Double 6 Gallery. So don’t take our word for its value: Judge for yourself. Call them at (505)287-7311.
Dorothy Ashe, a member of Double 6 Gallery, contributed to this article. Thanks for the help, Dorothy!</td><td width=162 valign=top><center><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002051_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002051_web_tn.jpg border=1 hspace=2 alt="Click here for closer view"></a><br>Peggy Loyd's "New Mexico Flowers".<br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002054_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002054_web_tn.jpg border=1 hspace=2 alt="Click here for closer view"></a><br>Jesus "Tito" Gomez' oil "Miner Catching Bad Dirt" deals with the uranium mining days in the area.<br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002020_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002020_web_tn.jpg border=1 hspace=2 alt="Click here for closer view"></a><br>Hanging art without putting many holes in the wall is the advantage of the Walker System. It allows an even line. The gallery will soon have Walker display cases too.<br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002050_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002050_web_tn.jpg border=1 hspace=2 alt="Click here for closer view"></a><br>Kabu's "A Place of Spirits" is oil on canvas. It is a place in Arizona near an observatory / planetarium where he senses spirits</font></center></td></tr></table>
By Gwen Roath (a.k.a. pengwen)
© 2006 SONewMex.com - Permission To Reprint Granted
Grants – The Double 6 Gallery held its grand opening in its new venue on Saturday, Oct. 28, proudly displaying an impressive array of fine art in the completely renovated 5,000 square foot space.<img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/double6.gif border=1 align=left hspace=4>
The grand opening was the culmination of two years of long, sometimes arduous work, the vision of the Cibola Arts Council (CAC) with the help of community leaders and city, county and state funding.
While not (yet) impressive on the outside (that’s in the second phase of renovation, it due to begin soon) the building on the Historic Route 66, in the heart of Grants, fits the bill described by the CAC and the state capital outlay requirements:
To purchase and renovate a building on the Historic Route 66 to use both for an arts gallery and a museum about the most famous cross-country highway.
The building, at 1001 Santa Fe on Hwy 66, also has lots of parking space, is ADA accessible, has rows of north-facing windows for great lighting and a well-designed, well-lit exhibit area. A side area in the gallery is devoted to computers with internet access for use by the community and a curved counter offers a convenient reception area separating the exhibit space from the business offices.
<table><tr><td>
"The building is probably from the late 40s or early 50s," says Robert Gallegos, an artist and executive director of Double 6 Gallery.
“Sen. Joe Fidel pulled together the funds for purchase and then there was the need for renovation,” noted Gallegos, giving credit also to Rep. George Hanosh and the city of Grants which also is funding the second phase, the outside renovation.
Gallegos also thanked Grants businessman Paul Milan, whom Gallegos called, “a patron of the arts and a Council member who was instrumental early on to build a better arts society, gallery and museum.”
The arts council is now in the early planning stages of beginning a museum to commemorate Rt. 66. The CAC is working with the University of New Mexico’s Maxwell Museum and a professional planner to develop a five-year plan for a successful museum, Gallegos said.
Gallegos also was instrumental in the opening of the new gallery, although he doesn’t volunteer that information directly. A friendly, enthusiastic promoter of the gallery, Gallegos is a retired state employee who had thought he would be spending a majority of his time with his sculpture. But when the position of executive director of the council opened up unexpectedly during the renovation and moving process, “I resigned as president of the board and I told the board I would make sure the gallery opened up,” he relates.
Ava Peets is serving as President of the Arts Council.
The newest aspect of display is the long hallway which is to be dedicated to youth art on a permanent basis. Double Six had previously dedicated a spring month to youth art.
Even the hours are relatively new: Monday through Friday from 1-5 p.m. and all day Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Gallery welcomes tours by clubs or classes--just call about a week ahead to make arrangements.
The CAC has been active in Grants and Cibola County since it formed in 1974. The council sponsors and produces programs, workshops and events year round. Along with Double 6 Gallery, the Council offers an annual performance and film series, community arts programs and workshops. "The gallery features at least two themed shows yearly, said Gallegos "including the Mount Taylor Show and a Quilters Show." "Another popular event is the annual Mariachi Spectacular during the holiday season," Gallegos added.
The venue provides the background for the great art that lines the walls of the new rooms. Some 30 members are currently showing some 80 pieces in the opening exhibit. “We got a variety,” Gallegos said, “everything from the pretty well known to those just starting.”
I thought the work was excellent and well presented.
Among the pieces on exhibition through December are Gallegos’s own work, Glide of Fossils, a delightfully graceful sculpture casting concentric circles of symbolism in the shadows on the background.
Connie Gallegos’s photographs “Fireworks(Beta) and Fireworks(Gamma) are fun studies in black and white.
Another artist at the opening that we had the pleasure of meeting was photographer Peggy Loyd. Her stunning panoramic views of rugged New Mexico landscapes and ancient anthropological sites are carefully crafted for full visual impact. We also liked her flower collage. Peggy, who lists a Pie Town address, says she and her partner use digital cameras and then print, mat and frame all their own pieces at their rural studio.
There are lots of other artists represented at Double 6 Gallery. So don’t take our word for its value: Judge for yourself. Call them at (505)287-7311.
Dorothy Ashe, a member of Double 6 Gallery, contributed to this article. Thanks for the help, Dorothy!</td><td width=162 valign=top><center><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002051_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002051_web_tn.jpg border=1 hspace=2 alt="Click here for closer view"></a><br>Peggy Loyd's "New Mexico Flowers".<br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002054_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002054_web_tn.jpg border=1 hspace=2 alt="Click here for closer view"></a><br>Jesus "Tito" Gomez' oil "Miner Catching Bad Dirt" deals with the uranium mining days in the area.<br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002020_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002020_web_tn.jpg border=1 hspace=2 alt="Click here for closer view"></a><br>Hanging art without putting many holes in the wall is the advantage of the Walker System. It allows an even line. The gallery will soon have Walker display cases too.<br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002050_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IM002050_web_tn.jpg border=1 hspace=2 alt="Click here for closer view"></a><br>Kabu's "A Place of Spirits" is oil on canvas. It is a place in Arizona near an observatory / planetarium where he senses spirits</font></center></td></tr></table>