November 2023 | Issue No. 42 |
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Hello & welcome to my November 2023 newsletter. The weather is getting cooler & I thought you might be seeking indoor spots to spend some time. We are lucky to have many community centers, organizations & programs around the city offering an array of services & activities to enrich our lives. When I was starting out in Albuquerque, I utilized the gyms at several community center locations. They had nice, clean equipment, weren't crowded & it was free to use with a membership pass obtained at the front desk. I also discovered my love of yoga at local community centers' free classes. Many years later, I do my best to start most mornings with my yoga practice to prepare mentally & physically for the busy day ahead. |
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Cass Barlow, one of my dearest friends & Transaction Coordinator Extraordinaire, held her wedding reception at Ventana Ranch Community Center. Many locations have event rooms that you can rent for much less than other event facilities in town. These spaces may be rented for weddings, meetings, classes, reunions, special celebrations & more. If you have an upcoming event, you may want to consider one of your local centers to accommodate your needs. |
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More & more, I'm finding that centers are offering art-focused programs. I'll highlight several of those spots first & also share a few of the many neighborhood-centered programs as well. You can view a comprehensive list of Albuquerque community centers to compare amenities & locations. This is a great way to find the one(s) that work best for you! What's your favorite local program or community center? |
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Resources just for you... |
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Harwood Art Center was originally the home of the Harwood Girls School (1925-1976), located just north of Downtown Albuquerque. It now offers year-round arts education programming. From 1991-95, Harwood began building a community of artists & connecting to the surrounding neighborhood. Artist studios & gallery spaces were created & arts education programming began. Now you'll find a variety of programs, such as arts education, engagement & community outreach initiatives for all ages, including resident studio, apprenticeship, teaching & professional development opportunities for artists. |
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Founded in 2001, OffCenter was one of the very first Art Hives (today there are over 300). An Art Hive is a community art studio that welcomes everyone as an artist. For over 20 years, they have been providing the Albuquerque community free access to art-making materials & space. They offer classes, Open Studio hours & Kids’ Open Studio, as well as participating in ABQ Artwalk & many community-based activities. They encourage all ages & ability levels to join in a workgroup, shop the gallery, make art & create community. |
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At Working Classroom, youth participate in workshops taught by contemporary artists focused on teaching how to use art as a tool to resist systemic injustice. Students participate in visual, media, public & theater arts workshops to build their technical & creative skills. Working Classroom’s Youth Art Center, located just south of downtown Albuquerque, is comprised of two visual art studios, media lab, black box theater, costume shop & academic resource room. For over 30 years, Working Classroom’s creative youth development program has offered students artistic training with professional artists, paid internships & life skills. |
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North Fourth Art Center is dedicated to accessibility in the arts for people of all abilities, ages, cultures & income levels. Since 1981, they have focused on providing arts education & exhibition opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Day Arts offers visual & performing arts classes including Clay Building, Introduction to Sewing, Native American Art & Musical Theater. North Fourth Art Center provides outreach classes in the community as well as evening & weekend programs onsite. Some of those offerings include Expressions, an art class for people with mental health concerns & Arts Adventures, a respite program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder & their families. |
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North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center is located on a 58-acre site in North Albuquerque Acres, owned by the City of Albuquerque. The community center offers a computer room & cafe, game rooms, classrooms, outdoor decks/patios, aerobic & fitness rooms, community rooms & meals. As part of North Domingo Baca Park, many outdoor amenities & activities are also abundant. These include a dog park, lighted skate park, children’s play area, picnic facilities, multi-purpose recreation fields, lighted tennis & handball courts, a climbing wall, bocce ball courts & a perimeter trail system. Future design plans include an aquatics facility & additional parking. They celebrated the grand opening of a new splash pad over the Labor Day holiday. |
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Built in 1941-42, the Barelas Community Center was one of the first community centers available to the Albuquerque community. Located in the historic Barelas neighborhood, it was built for the National Youth Administration by youth receiving “on the job training.” The community center includes a gymnasium, weight room, ceramics room, computer lab & meeting rooms. They offer after-school programs & free ceramics classes, perfect for beginners. Please contact the center for more information on either of these programs. |
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Manzano Mesa is a 37,000 square foot multigenerational center that offers an array of amenities to the greater Albuquerque community. The center is comprised of multipurpose classrooms, arts & crafts room, computer lab, game room, social hall, fitness center, showers & lockers, a kitchen, as well as a playground, pickleball courts & a 10,000 square foot gymnasium. Manzano Mesa provides meeting space for community organizations, neighborhood groups & continuing education programs. During the hot summer months, Manzano Mesa Water Sprayground is a fully automated water park for all ages that is enjoyed by many in the greater Albuquerque community. |
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Since 1959 Westside Community Center, located in the heart of the South Valley, has been serving the local community. The center offers before & after-school programming for students as well as activities for Seniors. The Westside Fitness Center, located inside the Westside Community Center, has undergone a renovation to include all new equipment. Use of this fitness center is free to Seniors (60+) & Veterans. They offer an array of fitness classes & programming, including Cardio, Zumba, Boxing, Dance, Step Aerobics, Shotokan & High Spirit Dance Cheer/Tumbling. There is also a 1/3 mile paved walking trail that circles the center& the front park. |
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Cabezon Community Center is a 2000 square foot facility located in Rio Rancho. Cabezon Park is one of the busiest parks in the city in the largest of the neighborhood recreational areas. The community center hosts a variety of local events, including pet parades, movies under the stars, Rio Rancho's largest yard sale & summer camps for children. The grounds house a seasonal pool, sports field & playgrounds, a 13 acre dog friendly park & more. The community center is available to rent for events, functions & meetings. |
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In Rio Rancho's Enchanted Hills, The HUB Community Center houses a public library, meeting rooms & indoor pickleball courts. The new quality of life center spans 11,020 square feet & offers the northern Rio Rancho community access to exercise & fitness, dance, arts & crafts classes, programs for all ages, special events & more. You can view a comprehensive list of Rio Rancho Community Centers to compare amenities & locations. This is a great way to find the one(s) that work best for you! |
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As a special thank you for following along on this journey with me, you'll now find offers from some of my favorite local establishments in upcoming newsletters. First up, from our friends at Central Bodega located in Nob Hill, is an opportunity to enjoy their delicious whipped feta with the purchase of any 2 entrees. I had this just last week & can promise you want to try it! You'll find a wonderful array of locally sourced dishes alongside their handpicked selection of wines & handcrafted cocktails. Stay tuned in the coming months for special offers from more of our friends. If you are a business owner in & around Albuquerque & have an offer you'd like for me to share in an upcoming issue, send me a message & tell me about it. |
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Thanks for joining me again this month! I'd love to hear about your experiences at any of these community centers or have you share others that I might have missed. These programs & centers offer so much value to our local community by offering an array of services & activities to a wide range of ages. For a better idea of which ones fit your needs best, visit their individual websites (links provided) or contact them directly. |
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