Hello OffCenter Community!  
My name is Mika Maloney, I'm the new Executive Director of OffCenter. I’m so excited to introduce myself and share some fun updates! I hope to meet each of you at OffCenter soon - perhaps this Friday at Artwalk!
Outside the Shell, a True New Mexico Exhibit
Opening Friday, July 8, ABQ Artwalk 5-8 p.m.
Come meet these talented young artists and enjoy our monthly Puppet Parade!
Plus a fun performance from the Puppet Theater Group!

This month for Art Walk we are hosting Outside the Shell, a group exhibit featuring 11 young artists from the True NM 2022 Cohort. Learn more about the group and their artwork here and come see it in person this Friday!

Also during Artwalk, our Puppet Theater group will stage a performance at 6:30 p.m. Don't miss this chance to see the weekly puppet workgroup in action!

After the performance get ready for OffCenter's Puppet Parade! All ages and abilities welcome to join us. Parade leaves at 7 p.m. Parade begins and ends at OffCenter.
I cannot overstate how honored I am to be stepping into the role as OffCenter’s Executive Director. The past few weeks have been a wonderful whirlwind of learning more about the organization’s history, connecting with staff and community, and beginning to partner in planning for the future. I’m thrilled to join in the work of such a truly unique and inspiring organization!

OffCenter is a community arts center in every sense: we’re here to serve our community, celebrate creativity in our community, and we exist only because of the support of our community. As we look ahead at how to safely and sustainably reopen for more hours and relaunch beloved programs, your support is an absolutely necessary component.

It’s time to rethink how we can safely and sustainability return to more open hours, increase programming, and bring back beloved events. Some of these changes will take place slowly over the next several months. (And many are dependent on the success of our summer fundraising campaign!) But we’re bringing back one of the most requested programs right away: Kids Summer Art Classes start today!
OFF Kilter Kids Summer Art Classes!
Wednesdays in July, 10-11:30 a.m.

Join us for free kids art classes this month! Every Wednesday morning in July (starting today!) we're hosting free drop-in art classes for kids and their adults!
*Drop-in class; no registration required. (If you can't make it but would like take-home art kit, email [email protected] or stop by during open hours.)
*All kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times. We encourage adults to create alongside the kids. Come ready to make something fun with the kid in your life!
*Recommended for ages 4-14. No cost for class or take-away art kits.
As former OffCenter ED Robert Allen has shared, “OC is a truly powerful, magical and sacred space where radical hospitality breaks down social barriers, where self-expression and creativity are celebrated, and where the shared activity of art-making brings us together as friends, family, and community.” 

It only took a few minutes in this space for me to see how truly magical it is. But of course - this place doesn’t run on magic. It takes money to keep the doors open, the lights on, staff and teachers paid, and programs running.

Whatever size donation you are able to make, those funds make a dramatic difference in the programming we are able to offer. The past two years were a time of necessary cutting back but now it’s time for growth! There is so much more OffCenter can do for the community if we have the financial support to do it! We’re working to create more sustainable funding and income streams that allow us to not only increase Open Studio hours and programming, but also to ensure that OffCenter is secure in providing open access to art-making for everyone in our community for years to come. 

I hope to meet you at OffCenter soon! I hope to see you at Artwalk or Open Studio. Please reach out with questions, ideas, or just to share stories of what you love about OffCenter. Thank you for your support in keeping this very special place open and serving our community. 

In gratitude, 
Mika Maloney
OffCenter Executive Director