Art from the Heart Opens at EAI

Discover the sensuality of wax at the Encaustic Art Institute’s premier 2010 exhibition “Art from the Heart,” opening Saturday, February 13 with a reception from 1:00 - 6:00 PM.  The Institute is located just 18 miles south of Santa Fe at 18 County Road 55A (General Goodwin Road), Cerrillos, New Mexico.

“Art from the Heart” features works lovingly inspired by artists who work in encaustic (pigmented wax) from throughout the United States.  All works on exhibit are for sale with all sale proceeds going to the artist.  There is no gallery commission.  Works are reasonably priced and make unique, affordable Valentine gifts for your loved ones.

The Institute is the brainchild of artist Douglas Mehrens, a longtime Cerrillos resident who designed and built the “pyramid” structure that now houses the EAI gallery--2400 square feet of exhibition space that was once his studio.  Mehrens spent several years obtaining a non profit status, before announcing the Institute’s opening in 2009.  “I’ve been blessed in my life and career,” he noted.  “Now it’s time to give back.”  Mehrens and his wife Adrienne, a jewler, currently live on the12 acre Institute property and share visionary plans for expanding EAI.  “We want to have an art library, establish a permanent encaustic collection, and build more space for studios and workshops,” Mehrens said.

The Insitute recently merged with New Mexico Wax, an organization for encaustic artists living and working in the state founded by former Picuris resident Harriette Tsosie.  “It was a good marriage, “ said Tsosie.  At the time of the merger, New Mexico Wax was just a year old.  “We came on fast, mounting three all encaustic exhibitions, putting up a blog and publishing a catalog of our members work in that short time.“ When the two organizations discovered each other, NM Wax had 50 members.  “We had the artists: Douglas had the non profit status, land and exhibition space.  We are now probably the only encaustic organization in the country with its own campus.”

Mehrens noted that unlike NM Wax, the Institute accepts memberships from outside the state.  “We eventually want to be a global organization,” he said.  “Together, I think we can do it.”

“Art from the Heart” continues at EAI through February 28.  For more informaiton about the Encaustic Art Institute, directions and a map, visit: www.eainm.com

Tsosie to F L U X Contemporary

Encaustic Art Institute member Harriette Tsosie is now being represented by F L U X Contemporary, a new comtemporary art showroom representing only Albuquerque artists.  Tsosie's work was peer reviewed and is currently on display in the gallery's "Variations in the Key of Black" exhibition.  Pictured left: "Someone Else's Reality" triptych.  F L U X hours are Tuesdays - Saturdays, 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM.  The gallery is located in the New Mexico Design Center at 4801 Alameda Blvd NW, Albuquerque.  505/217-1784. www.fluxcontemporary.com

Call for Entries

Call for Art: “Art from the Heart," February 13 - 28, 2010. Encastic Art Institute,
18 County Road 55 A, Cerrillos, NM 87010. 505/424-6487. www.eainm.com

Entries: Artists may submit up to two works not to exceed 48” x 48.” Works must be delivered to the Institute no later than 5:00 PM, Saturday, February 6, 2010. No exceptions. Artists shipping work are responsible for getting the work to the Institute by the deadline, roundtrip shipping and insurance expenses. The Institute will return unsold work within 30 days of the close of the show. This is a non-juried exhibition but artists must be members of the Institute in order to participate. To join, go to www.eainm.com and complete the membership form. This website is set up to accept payments by Paypal.

Size and hanging restrictions: Artists should provide the following information along with their entry and in this order: title of the work, date completed, media, dimensions, price. There will be a form to record this information on the day you deliver your work. Artists shipping work should include this information taped to the back of their pieces. 2-D an 3-D work to be displayed the wall cannot exceed 48” x 48’ and weigh more than 50lbs. All work must be ready for hanging with secure wire across the back. 3-d work is restricted to 50lbs for pedestal and 70lbs for floor display. Dimensions cannot exceed 36” W x 72” H.

Pricing and sales: All art work must be for sale. No commission will be taken from the sales price.

Calendar:

31 December 2009: Call for art distributed
6 February 2010: Deadline to receive works at the Institute
13 February 2010: Art from the Heart Opening reception: 1:00 - 6:00 PM
28 February 2020: Art from the Heart closes
6 March 2010: Artists pick up unsold work, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
30 March 2010: Unsold shipped work returned to artists.

NM Wax-Encaustic Art Institute Merge

By a vote of its members in November 2009, New Mexico Wax and the Encaustic Art Institute have merged into a single organization, The Encaustic Art Institute. The merger opens membership to any encaustic artist worldwide and offers members permanent exhibition space at the Institute's 12-acre site in Cerrillos, New Mexico. Institute founder Douglas Mehrens' vision for the Institute includes offering workshops and public education programs, adding space for artists studios and residencies, creating an encaustic library and a permanent collection of encaustic art. "I've been blessed in my life and now it is time for me to give back," said Mehrens from his home on the Institute property. Mehrens, who will continue to serve as CEO of the Institute, has asked New Mexico Wax founder Harriette Tsosie to serve as the Institute's first president. "I am honored to accept this position," said Tsosie, an Albuquerque resident. "I look forward to working with Douglas to get the Institute up and running." Both Mehrens and Tsosie are encaustic painters.