New Corrales art gallery celebrates grand opening

CORRALES — A new art gallery in Corrales had its grand opening last week.

Inhabit Galerie, located just on the other side of Corrales Road from Sandia Bar, was opened by owner Marisa Ravalli Dec. 18.

“We were offered the space December 1st and wanted to open before Christmas. It seemed an impossible task with the extensive renovation involved, but it all came together, and we officially opened to the public today,” she said at the opening. “Our Galerie shop features artisans from all over New Mexico; it’s not just local artists. I’m a very strong believer in support local and buy local,” she said.

With the opening, Ravalli had a collection, called “Ladies and Gentleman,” ready for gallery-goers, which will run until March. She said she wanted her first collection of artworks to have its time.

“The installation of the current show was done by artist Jiri Prihoda. He has decades of museum installation and exhibition design. He has even hung works by Klimt and Picasso. I love all the exhibitions he’s designed and completely trust his work and aesthetic. The artists here are very happy with how the show turned out,” she said.

In the collection description, it says there is an expectation that certain people make up an audience. The goal of the gallery and this first collection is to express inclusivity, not just with the art but also with the audience.

“I strongly believe that art should never be elitist and should be accessible to everyone,” Ravalli said.

That mindset comes from Ravalli’s experiences and travels. She’s had a part in gallery work for more than 35 years with some of her successful work taking place in Prague.

“This is my second gallery project; the first was in Prague and was a large center for contemporary art called Futura. I’ve worked with many internationally renowned artists, performers, musicians, to artists who are putting together their very first show. But this new space is all my own, and I’m enjoying the freedom that comes with that,” she said.

The art space is open 11: 30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.