ABQ uptown

Nine Artists from New Mexico commissioned to design custom art for ABQ Uptown

October 26, 2006
Albuquerque, New Mexico – October 25, 2006 – Hunt Development Group has unveiled ten custom art pieces designed by New Mexican artists for its ABQ Uptown Circle of Art Project.

Located in the center of phase one of the complex, the pieces are presented in a circle surrounding the complex’s 80 foot tall ABQ Uptown “Q” modern art sign which is the icon for the center.

“New Mexico is known for its amazing artists and we felt it would be a natural fit to incorporate New Mexico art into ABQ Uptown’s design,” said Gary Sapp, President of the Southwest Division of Hunt Development Group.

The circle of art project will serve as an art gallery within the ABQ Uptown complex and providing visitors with a glimpse into New Mexico’s venerable art scene.

The circle of art project consists of ten pieces of art. Seven custom art pieces were designed by commissioned New Mexican artists. The other three pieces consist of two works designed by New Mexican artists that were completed and were purchased from art galleries in New Mexico. The final piece was designed by New Mexico’s Vaughn Wedeen and Dekker/Perich/Sabatini. Vaughn Wedeen is designing signage for ABQ Uptown and Dekker/Perich/Sabatini is the architect of record for the project.

Pieces range from paintings and ceramic designs to bronze sculptures. Each piece has a link to New Mexico’s history and cultural heritage.

“The pieces of art are a great addition to ABQ Uptown,” added Sapp. “They will highlight New Mexico’s tradition of creating art and add a distinct southwest flavor to the project.”

The commissioned New Mexican artists are John Massee of Galisteo; George Manus of Albuquerque; Roger Evans of Placitas; Erin Magennis and Kyle Ray of Albuquerque; Denise Taylor of Albuquerque; Frederico Armijo of Cudero; Ed Haddaway of Albuquerque; O.K. Harris of Albuquerque; and Siri Hollander of Ojo Sarco.

ABQ Uptown, billed as “A Unique Urban Community”, is destined to become Albuquerque’s newest live-work-play hub, complete with retail space, residential units, restaurants, entertainment venues and a hotel.

Located in the heart of the city’s retail district on the corner of Louisiana and Indian School, ABQ Uptown will include the following high end retail stores and restaurants: Ann Taylor Loft, Apple, Eddie Bauer, J. Jill, Prima Fine Jewelry, Gymboree, Sunglass Hut, Altell Wireless, Starbucks, Pottery Barn, Talbots, Williams-Sonoma, Jared – The Galleria of Jewelry, Coldwater Creek, Jos. A. Bank, Elephant Bar, Bravo Cucina Italiana, BCBG, White House Black Market, Cingular, La Bella Spa & Salon, Loop, Soma, Chico’s, Marcello’s Chophouse, Borders, World of Knives, and Sharper Image. More tenant names will be announced soon.