Los Alamos Arts Council Assistant Director Ken Nebel and Executive Director Chris Monteith discuss the council Tuesday during presentation to the Rotary Club of Los Alamos. Screenshot/LADP
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos Arts Council and Fuller Lodge Art Center are together again after 42 years.
The two organizations split in 1978 and rejoined again this spring just as COVID-19 hit. Los Alamos Arts Council Executive Director Chris Monteith and Assistant Director Ken Nebel joined the Rotary Club of Los Alamos Tuesday to talk about how things are going and what’s ahead.
Both Monteith and Nebel are Los Alamos natives with a long history in the town’s art scene.
“We have a large legacy to live up to,” Nebel said.
The public has probably not noticed much change so far. The Art Center continues to operate its gallery and shop in Fuller Lodge and to manage exhibits at the Library Gallery and the Arts Council continues to coordinate events like the Kite Festival, albeit with changes due to the pandemic.
“Merging during COVID presented some challenges,” Monteith said. “We have a good community that has been very supportive.”
Challenges include merging the staff of the two organizations. Things like membership and branding have to be worked out. It’s an ongoing process, Monteith said.
As things get organized, the Arts Council hopes to do more outreach to the schools and expand their programs into the classroom.
“We’re stronger together,” Nebel said. “That’s especially important right now.”
The big craft fairs, events and classes have had to be cancelled, cutting into fund raising as well as revenue raised. Los Alamos County funds about 10 percent of the costs and around 90 percent comes from the organization, Monteith explained.
Scaling back has saved some funds expended for events, but it doesn’t cover the lost revenue.
Together, the merged organizations have been nimble in dealing with COVID-19 restrictions. The big fall arts and crafts fair has moved online to https://losalamosartscouncil.org/holiday-arts-and-crafts-fair-virtual-page/ and there are many participating vendors, both new and returning, Monteith said.
The Kite Festival handed out kite kits at the Farmer’s Market to 270 kids last year, when the events at Overlook Park had to be cancelled, Monteith said. They will do the same this year and expand outreach to 4th graders as well as 5th graders.
The Affordable Art Show and Sale at the Art Center Gallery is going full speed ahead, Nebel said.
He’s delighted that the gallery and shop can now be open to eight people at a time, Nebel said. A whopping 135 artists are participating. Yes, artistic masks are available from two artists.
In addition, the gallery will help advertise “garage sale shows” for artists who wish to display at home.
Details can be gotten at the Art Center. The Art Center website at https://fullerlodgeartcenter.com/ has more information about doings at the Art Center. The Art Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
There have even been some COVID silver linings, Monteith said.
“The Wednesday Brown Bag Concerts, now virtual have 125-150 people in attendance, twice the audience we could seat in the Pajarito Room at Fuller Lodge,” she said. “We also now attract watchers from outside of town.”
Visit losalamosartscouncil.org to learn the latest on the newly merged Los Alamos Arts Council, as well as shop and find giving and volunteer opportunities.
