The South Broadway Cultural Center Gallery is presenting “BEYOND the Physical World,” an exhibition featuring recent abstract paintings by members of the Albuquerque Abstract Artists Alliance (4A). The show opens with a public reception on January 22 from 5 to 7 p.m., giving visitors a chance to meet the artists and view their work.
Curated by Augustine Romero, the exhibition includes works by 14 artists. Each artist is displaying two pieces created in oil, acrylic, or mixed media. The focus of the exhibition is on form, feeling, and intuition, encouraging viewers to engage with emotional and imaginative spaces that go beyond direct representation.
Styles in the exhibition range from geometric abstraction by Wing Dixon Lau and Catalina Salinas to expressive approaches by Nancy Jones Francis and Carolyn Grady. Other featured artists include Kari Bell, Bill Sabatini, Gail Sacharczuk, and Karen Macek. Additional participants are Marca Dickie, Benita Grunseth, Larry Guy, Ginna Heiden, Nicole Kurland, and Jan Tras.
According to organizers: “4A was formed one year ago following conversations among artists in Michael Ottersen’s Abstract Art classes at the New Mexico Art League. Word quickly spread, and soon a group of dynamic artists began meeting monthly for mutual support, public education about abstraction, and collaborative exhibition development. The group also hosted a public critique group at Juan Tabo Library organized by Benita Grunseth.”
The exhibition will remain open through March 14. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Venues like the South Broadway Cultural Center contribute to Albuquerque’s longstanding tradition as a center for community gatherings and artistic expression. The city has supported cultural venues such as the KiMo Theatre since its construction in 1927 as a hub for entertainment that blends Pueblo Deco architecture with community events (official page). Albuquerque’s government plays an active role in preserving its cultural heritage while overseeing community development across its nine geographic districts (official website). The city traces its origins back to 1706 and has evolved over time into a major regional center influenced by historical developments such as the arrival of the railroad (city’s timeline).
