On Tuesday, Jan. 7, Lost Cultures Tea Bar in Albuquerque hosted another Open Art Night: an evening occurrence from 6 p.m. through 10 p.m. every Tuesday. On these evenings, local art is combined with the social atmosphere of the tea bar.
Open Art Night is a community-based art event. Anyone may stop by Lost Cultures Tea Bar and bring their own art project from home or begin a new one.
The tea bar website describes the event as a place to “connect and grow the local art scene over some pots of tea or non alcoholic beverages.”
Open Art Night is free to attend.
Bartender Keyanna Carson said the event draws varying amounts of attendees, and at times it can be quite busy.
Carson provided watercolor kits, water, tempera paint sticks and paper, and explained how the tea bar provides art supplies that people can use. Event attendees can also come in with their own mediums.
Along with a bar, there is a selection of tables attendees can sit at to work on their projects.
The tea bar often sees groups of regulars, according to Carson. Among the regular attendees on Jan. 7 was local artist Nia Reyna.
Reyna worked with alcohol markers and watercolors that evening. The Daily Lobo asked if there is any particular inspiration that she comes to the Tuesday art nights with.
“Just wing it,” Reyna said.
She also brought a friend who was new to Open Art Night.
The art community is small and many artists know each other, according to Reyna. As a result, Reyna said she often sees people she recognizes at the event.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
The Lost Cultures Tea Bar website states that it hosts local artists monthly “to give demonstrations and advice on how to use their preferred mediums.”
Open Art Night combines local artistic communities and the atmosphere of a bar space into one experience. People come and go with different artistic styles and expressions, perhaps returning the following Tuesday.
Emmett DiMauro is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
