In the Village of Corrales, where many believe fine art is held to the highest standard that rivals art meccas like Santa Fe or Taos, the Corrales Bosque Gallery has been a mainstay for 30 years.
The gallery will celebrate its 30th anniversary in August with a monthlong exhibition from Aug. 6 to Sept. 2, showcasing works by past and present members, including several returning founders. For Joan Findley-Perls, a graphite pencil artist and the treasurer of the Corrales Bosque Gallery, the upcoming anniversary exhibition is not just a milestone in the gallery’s history; it holds personal significance because her mother, Tommie Findley, one of the founding members, will be participating in the show.
“The thing about the gallery is its consistency,†Findley-Perls said. “It started in ‘94 it’s been in the same location ever since then, we still have the same logo, we’re just sort of a mainstay of Corrales at this point.â€
Since its inception, the cooperative has aimed to provide Corrales with high-quality fine art. The cooperative typically includes 12 to 20 members. Although no founding members remain, Juan Wijngaard has been with the gallery for about 20 years, and founder Andy Goldschmidt stayed until a few years ago, according to Findley-Perls.
To keep the exhibitions fresh, the gallery is completely reorganized every three months. Each artist is assigned to a new location within the gallery and some bring in new works.
The show
The 30th-anniversary exhibit will feature one piece each by the 38 participating artists, including 16 current gallery members and 22 former members. Five of these former members are founding members who will contribute to the show.
Founders participating in the show are Tommie Findley (Joan Findley-Perls’ mother), Annie Nash, Diana Stetson, Shirl Brainard, and Mariana Roumell-Gasteyer.
Some artists, like Findley, will be showcasing older work, while others will create new art specifically for the show. All artwork will be available for sale, except for Findley’s piece, which will remain in the family, Findley-Perls said jokingly.
Future gallery plans
According to Findley-Perls, the gallery has plans to transition into a nonprofit organization. It aims to engage in charitable contributions to needy causes and/or contribute to art education initiatives in some capacity.
In the past, the gallery has supported various nonprofit organizations, including those providing aid in Ukraine with food and clothing, contributing to a Syrian Relief Fund, and donating after the Maui fire.
See the show
The 30th anniversary exhibition is at the Corrales Bosque Gallery, located at 4685 Corrales Rd. in the Mercado de Maya building. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday-Monday. The reception for the anniversary exhibition will be Aug. 17, from 4-7 p.m.