Collectors Preview Night

On the Wall

By Drew Bixby

Everyone knows that First Fridays on Santa Fe Drive are for people-watching, not art-buying. Sure, there are a dedicated few who aren't afraid to throw a subtle kidney punch or let their shoulders do the talking in their quest to see the writing on the wall — but, in general, most First Friday attendees are lucky to get in the galleries, let alone get near the art. The ArtDistrict on Santa Fe hopes to change all that with Collectors' Night, starting tonight and continuing on the third Friday of each month.

"It's different from First Friday, because we're not getting two or three thousand people down here," says John Passaro, owner of the Standing Sun Fine Art Gallery, 826 Santa Fe. "It's more targeted toward the collectors. It's a little quieter, a little better chance to look at the artwork. You're not looking over five or six people's shoulders."

Fifteen-plus galleries will stay open from 5 to 8 p.m., many featuring live music and special collections. This month, Standing Sun will feature the Rocky Mountain PBS Anniversary Collection, which will be auctioned off in April. For more information, go to www.artdistrictonsantafe.com.