Spotlight: Black Wall Gallery
Camisha Cordova and her husband Alan Cordova, of the local band Alium, started the nonprofit Black Wall Gallery as an organic progression of the art pop-ups and community-focused events they put together soon after the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, they moved into their current location at 2125 San Mateo Blvd NE primarily to use the space as a recording studio for Alan. But a year later, when they hosted friends, fellow creative types, and other bands to celebrate their first anniversary, they realized they could expand what their building was used for. Now, the space is home to art shows, classes, concerts, and more—and it’s a space that’s for all ages.
“We offer free sound engineering classes for youth…(as well as a) three-week free art class for youth,” says Camisha. “They get first-hand experience as well with having their own gallery opening too. We showcase all their art to everybody!”
In addition to being a welcoming place for all kinds of people, Camisha notes that Black Wall Gallery spotlights first-time artists and musicians to help them break onto the scene. “A lot of us know from personal experience as artists ourselves that it’s difficult to get out there for your first gallery showing.” Artists receive 70 percent of their art sales, while typically 30 percent goes to a local organization chosen by the gallery’s board or by the showing artist. For example, all proceeds from the gallery’s recent exhibition of works by Jim Fritzler went to the Transgender Resource Center of NM.
Furthermore, the gallery is a sober environment. “It’s just kind of one of those things where there’s not a lot of that around either, and we wanted to make sure that people have that place to gather, and also to know it’s cool to be sober—the things that you can accomplish, and the things that you can create, don’t require any sort of substance and you can have fun without it,” Camisha says.
Check out the gallery for Bitterfest 2026 on Friday, Feb. 13, at 6:00 PM to catch performances by The Space Buns, Rebekkah Dreskin-Evans, poet Andrew Torn, and many others. Tickets are $10 with concessions and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase. As always, the event is open to all ages. For more details and a list of upcoming events, visit Black Wall Gallery’s website or social media.
5 Things To Do in February
Have Some HeART
Practice self-love or pick up a gift for a loved one at the Nizhoni Valentine’s heART Market on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The market, hosted by Nizhoni Trends Trading Post at 1600 Lomas Blvd. NW in Old Town, will feature baked goods, jewelry, arts and crafts, clothing, flowers, and more available for purchase. Check out the live music and art demonstrations too! Free.
Get Carded
Friday the 13th brings good luck this month with the weekend-long Trading Card Game MegaCon, hosted at Embassy Suites at 1000 Woodward Pl. NE. Immerse yourself in the card game world with a packed schedule of events, including the Kick-off Party on Friday from 4:00 to 11:00 PM and the VIP & Vendor Mega Trade Night on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 7:00 PM to midnight. The conference itself runs from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturday and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday. Kids aged 7 and under are free; adult tickets start at $15.
Celebrate Vietnamese Lunar New Year
Welcome the new lunar year on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 6:00 PM with the Vietnamese Community of New Mexico. This year’s Tết, which is short for Tết Nguyên Đán, marks the Year of the Horse, which represents hard work, courage, and resilience, according to the Smithsonian. Head to 833 Arizona St SE (at the intersection of San Pedro and Kathryn) for Vietnamese food, traditional lion dances, musical performances, and more. The event itself is free and open to the public.
Raise Your Voice
Catch the finale of the art exhibition “Voces del Pueblo: Artists of the Levantamiento Chicano in New Mexico” with a closing reception and book release party on Sunday, Feb. 8 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. From 2:00 to 4:00 PM, meet with the artists, curators, writers, and others involved in this show and its accompanying book, which will be available at the event for purchase. The exhibition highlights New Mexican artists and their contributions to Chicano art history. This event is open to all ages and is free!
Exorcise Your Exes
Release any old relationship demons on the best day of all to do so: Valentine’s Day! On Friday, Feb. 14, local musician Casey Mraz will play at Tractor Brewing Co. in Nob Hill (122 Tulane Dr. SE) for EX-orcism, a fun night of jams meant to examine, excoriate, maybe even exalt romantic partners of the past. Share your story and Mraz might even write your very own break-up song on the spot! This event is from 7:00 to 10:00 PM and is free.
Bonus: Community Art Supply Drive
Give your unused art materials a second life at this community art supply recycling drop-off on Friday, Feb. 28 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Donate glass fusing materials, stained or mosaic glass, small porcelain tiles, crockery, beads, and gently used art supplies to support community projects and classes through the nonprofit Community Grove. Drop-offs accepted at The Groove Artspace in Albuquerque and Bullseye Glass Resource Center in Santa Fe. Donation receipts available upon request.
