An arts complex in Albuquerque’s Barelas neighborhood suffered damage and is temporarily closed after a fire broke out earlier this month. Parts of the nonprofit Fourteenfifteen Gallery, the Alpaca event space and the adjacent Minnow music venue caught fire in the early morning of Nov. 2 when an alley went up in flames, a Fourteenfifteen spokesperson said. Hyperallergic.
Although the building remained intact, smoke and water destroyed artists’ supplies, including electronics, tools, pedestals and supplies from the documentary production company Basement Films, as well as printed materials, exhibition ephemera and “other objects of sentimental value that are more difficult to replace,” according to the organization.
The Albuquerque Fire Department said in a statement Instagram reports that the fire was under control within 50 minutes and that no one was injured. The cause, the statement continued, is unknown and has not been investigated. According to the spokesperson for Fourteenfifteen, there is no estimate when the repairs will be completed, but the organization expects it GoFundMe has raised $10,000 for repairs since launching last week. The complex is located in a historic district along the famous Route 66, where the National Spanish Cultural Center is located.
Fourteenfifteen and the Minnow are run by members of LoA, a collective of curators and artists. Last year, the organization’s curatorial team said Hyperallergic which they launched in 2018 to engage underrepresented and experimental artists. The building, according to Fourteenfifteen websitehas been part of various artist-run spaces for over 20 years.
Fourteen fifteen would be opened Ladmo: an exhibition that bears a striking resemblance to a retrospective, featuring works by artist Bryan Konefsky, but had to close its doors pending repairs. The collective has organized puppet shows, mutual aid events, and inaugural launch parties for zines like BorderPlex, a platform for queer and trans Borderland artists.
“We are currently in the process of assessing materials and damage and are extremely grateful for your financial support through our Gofundme and various raffles and upcoming benefit shows that we will rely on to replace what has been lost,” Fourteenfifteen said in a statement to members of the community. shared with Hyperallergic. “These third spaces are the fabric of a thriving and vibrant community and we are grateful to be just a small part of this beautiful history.”
