Amy Bjarke, left, and Nancy Coombs welcome visitors to the Fuller Lodge Art Center. Photo by Chris Clark/ladailypost.comThe Fuller Lodge Art Center has its earliest roots in the post-war years with the Los Alamos Arts and Crafts Association. This group got together to share their love of making art but also to bring “exhibits” of well known New Mexico artists to Los Alamos.
There are later ties to the Los Alamos Arts Council and Pajarito Art League. Then in 1977, the Art Center was formally established to enrich the quality of life in Los Alamos by nurturing the human creative spirit through visual arts.
Today, the Art Center resides in a wing of the historic Fuller Lodge in the heart of Los Alamos. Between Summer Art Camp, Wednesday Afternoon Art Studio for elementary school students, art classes for adults, rotating themed group art exhibitions and the Gallery Gift Shop, the Art Center serves the community on many levels.
Director Ken Nebel continuously reaches out to artists of all ages as well as community groups to develop programs that will connect art to all aspects of life.
The Gallery Gift Shop is a consignment store, which helps support more than 100 regional artists, more than half of whom live in Los Alamos. Gallery Manager Amy Bjarke strives to bring in exceptional art at an affordable prices.
Art work ranges from wall art to functional pottery to jewelry, with all sorts of other decorative or sculptural pieces as well.
“Affordable Arts” has become a holiday tradition, with the Gallery Gift Shop expanding into the Exhibit Gallery to become an indoor shopping bazaar. An extra two dozen artists are invited to share their work, and the theme is gifts for everyone.
The art center employs a staff of four as well as many volunteers.
Fuller Lodge Art Center, at 2132 Central Ave., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visit fullerlodgeartcenter.com for exhibit and class schedules, as well as virtual galleries of exhibits.
