The Art of News
The latest on what’s happening in the arts
▼ Zane Bennett Contemporary Art announces the opening of form & concept, a nonprofit art center, at the gallery’s former address (435 S. Guadalupe St.). The gallery generated buzz in the art community last summer when it closed its doors on July 4. The new center explores the boundaries between art, craft, and design and offers exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, and a retail space. An artist-in-residence program is also in development. The inaugural exhibit, Made in the Desert, opens on Friday, May 27, at 5 p.m., and runs through Aug. 22. The show presents works by craft artists working in New Mexico and Arizona. Call 505-982- 8111.
▼ A controversial state Senate bill (SB 226) is being introduced at the 52nd Legislature Second Session. The bill, sponsored by Sen. JohnArthurSmith, D-Deming, proposes a new tax on the sale of fine arts. Opponents of the bil l have st ar t ed a petit i on online at www. petitionbuzz. com called “Stop the Art Tax.” A post from Sunday, Jan. 31, on the community Facebook page “Stop the New Mexico Art Tax,” started by the Santa Fe Gallery Association, states that “the only result will be to put smaller New Mexico galleries and artists at a distinct disadvantage against their competitors in other states, and further stress the struggling New Mexico art industry.” Read more about SB 226 at the New Mexico State Legislature website: www.nmlegis.gov.
▼ Pippin Contemporary (200 Canyon Road), founded by artist Aleta Pippin in 2011, is relocating to 409 Canyon Road in February and expanding the number of artists it represents. The move to the former location of the Tom Ross Gallery, which also provides Pippin Contemporary with more gallery space, is accompanied by the addition of six artists to Pippin’s current roster: Tom Ross, Rebecca Haines, Gina Rossi, Margaret Nes, John Charbonneau, and Paul White. “Moving to our permanent home is the culmination of a dream that began when I opened Pippin Contemporary,” Pippin said in a statement. “It provides stability for our artists, our collectors, and our business. Santa Fe is an amazingly creative and cultural town. By taking this step of investing in a permanent home, I’ve affirmed my strong belief in Santa Fe as an important arts destination.” The grand opening, which coincides with the gallery’s five-year anniversary, takes place at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 27.