WHEELS Museum Fall 2022 Newsletter
Upcoming Events and Exhibit News:
Formula 1 Raffle Drawing This Sunday - September 11th
Win Two VIP Tickets
2022 Formula 1 US Grand Prix
October 21-23, 2022 - Austin, Texas
Value $ 2400.00
Details:
Seats # MG209 Row 8 Seats 3 and 4
Friday-Practice Round and Concert by Green Day
Saturday-Qualifying and Concert by Ed Sheehan
Sunday-Race Day
Call now to get your raffle tickets! Phone: (505) 243-6269
Tickets Donated by
Sheryl Anderson & F One Four Everyone, LLC
Raffle Tickets $ 10.00 each
Drawing Held Sunday, September 11
Noon-Albuquerque Railyards
All Proceeds go to WHEELS Museum, Inc.
Sing Along event with “Hobo’s Lullaby”!
Wednesday, September 14 at 11:00 AM. at WHEELS Museum 1100 2nd St. SW
Admission is free; donations are gratefully accepted. RSVP: (505) 243-6269
Sing-Along leader Dan Matthews has led small sing-alongs at Albuquerque Folk Fest for many years. Dan gets a little help from his friends (Dave Shead, Nancy Koenigsberg and Bill Foote), known as “Hobo’s Lullaby”, with strong voices leading scores of people in rousing, meaningful and joyous songs. Dan’s joy is singing with people, not singing for people.
The formula for the WHEELS Sing-Along is:
1) A list of familiar and very sing-able railroad and travel songs,
2) Comfortable keys accompanied by guitar back up
3) Lyric sheets for everyone (who remembers all the words?),
4) We will sing out strong, so you feel comfortable singing too.
Among the songs you can join in singing:
• People get ready (there’s a train a comin’)
• City of New Orleans
• Rock Island Line
• Hobo’s Lullaby
“Mohan’s Chariot: A Journey into Divine Creativity” by Sydney Scherr
Saturday, September 17 at 11AM at WHEELS Museum 1100 2nd St. SW
Admission is free; donations are gratefully accepted. RSVP: (505) 243-6269
Sydney’s story: In the Hindu religion chariots are used as traveling temples, called temple cars. They are used to bring temple festivals and prayer to the community when community members are unable to find their way to the temple. Chariots are made with a sense of reverence and devotion that is breathtaking to see and feel: it is considered a blessing to work on a chariot.
I was invited to join a team of silversmiths from Tamil Nadu, India, to participate in the creation of a chariot for Sri Ganesar Alayam, a Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I am the only women in the world to have been given this honor as this is a specifically male creation made by those who have learned this ancient art at the feet of their fathers and grandfathers.
In addition to being a chariot maker, I documented the process of creating this moving temple that is 22 feet tall, weighs over 1 ton of silver and is comprised of many thousands of chased and repoussed silver panels, 7000 handmade silver nails and 102 large enamels. It is the only chariot in the world adorned with enamels, and these were my contribution to this remarkable rolling temple.
To witness and participate in this creation, and the lively environment where it was made, is to enjoy the embrace of a community of metalsmiths so rich in similarities yet distinctly culturally unique. This journey describes a familiar thread that engages all creative individuals. It is the intuitive connection to work and working that compels us as artists
In addition to being a chariot maker, I documented the process of creating this moving temple that is 22 feet tall, weighs over 1 ton of silver and is comprised of many thousands of chased and repoussed silver panels, 7000 handmade silver nails and 102 large enamels. It is the only chariot in the world adorned with enamels, and these were my contribution to this remarkable rolling temple. This journey describes a familiar thread that engages all creative individuals. It is the intuitive connection to work and working that compels us as artists.
WHEELS Sponsored Amtrak Las Vegas Trip. October 21-23:
CELL PHONE PHOTO CLASS with Irene Fertik, Professional Photographer.
Monday, October 17 at 10 AM - noon.
Suggested Donation is $20. RSVP: (505) 243-6269
This is a two-hour class, getting participants more familiar with their cell phone's photo capabilities.
Irene Fertik, your instructor, will start off talking about her cell phone and its capabilities, setting the tone. Then everyone introduces themselves, and their cell phone in a round robin old fashioned style.
After our introductions, Irene will talk about the 3 essentials of good photography...
1- light
2- composition with cropping
3- the best moment
This will be a hands-on workshop, as we walk around the museum, which has the most spectacular lighting that a photographer could ask for...Its ceilings are mostly panes of glass, in a large factory-like setting. We will explore and photograph with our cell phones, many of the old/vintage machines in WHEELS; learning how to use the light, angles, foreground and background components in each photo.
As we become more familiar with what our individual cell phones can do photographically, we will ABSOLUTELY find the right MOMENT to click the button at the bottom of our cell phone screen. We will learn to "play" with what our cell phone camera can do as we are inspired by the settings in the museum.
• Which camera is the best camera?? Why, the one you have with you at the time!!!
• In today's world, it is your CELL PHONE, your constant companion!!
• I will show you tools to maximize your vision, using the best light, and other components of good photography. You are encouraged to explore your own unique view of the world.
Revisiting the Diverse Men and Women Workers of the Albuquerque Railyard” presentation by Cecelia Navarrete.
Saturday, October 29 10-11:30 AM at WHEELS Museum. RSVP is a must: (505) 243-6269.
Admission is free; donations are gratefully accepted.
In this presentation Dr. Navarrete reviews initial findings of the Railyard workers (1880-1940) and delves further into their role during World War II. This is an in depth look at who these workers were and where they came. This is a must for people interested in Albuquerque History. Dr. Navarrete previously presented her earlier work in a presentation at WHEELS in 2019. She spoke to a standing room only audience so be sure to RSVP.
Jazz Music Event:
Featuring some of the top Jazz live music acts in the Southwest, the "Jazz on WHEELS" series begins in October and runs through the end of December. The WHEELS Museum has partnered with local events production company Mariposa Music,, to utilize the power of music to benefit the museum. The Jazz on WHEELS performance will begin at 2pm on selected Sundays. Visit wheelsmuseum.org and/or mariposamusicrocks.com for more information.
WHEELS in TV and the Movies:
Outlaw Land:
(expected to be released later in 2022 or early 2023), is a full-length movie featuring scenes filmed using WHEELS’ circa 1880 reproduction passenger train car (right) and other WHEELS exhibits used as props.
Outlaw Land is the story of Butch Cassidy and a wild bunch who flee from authorities after robbing a train. “We’re excited to make an iconic western with local New Mexicans at the helm. In addition, we are thrilled to partner with the Wheels Museum of ABQ, and NM Locomotive who are preserving some of New Mexico’s greatest treasures as we bring a memorable western movie like Butch Cassidy to life,” said Daniel Lusko, producer. Article is reprinted from RCR News Media.
Big Sky:
is an American crime drama thriller TV series created by David E. Kelley and based on The Highway series of books by C. J. Box. Big Sky quickly became a fan favorite when the series premiered in November 2020 and has become a streaming winner for ABC during the show's first two seasons. The series has had 11.1 million viewers.
Big Sky is filming at WHEELS during the week of September 12. Lots of activity and fun.
EXHIBIT NEWS:
Look! Up in the Sky:
WHEELS recently received a donation of a fascinating hand crafted, full size, single passenger airplane. Adding exhibits can be an interesting challenge. Attaching the airplane with cables to the museum ceiling was most challenging, but intrepid volunteers John Westfall, Steve Perry and Henryk Sloma were up to the challenge. Using a combination of brain power, muscle power, courage and determination the airplane is now aloft at WHEELS. Come see it and ask one of the three volunteers to tell you the tale of how lift off was accomplished.
Lights and Progress in the Model Train Cities:
WHEELS has a beautiful collection of model trains that just keep getting better. Volunteers Andrew McHarney, Chuck Jones and John Westfall, along with a new team of volunteers from the Toy Train Operating Society of Albuquerque have added internal and external building lights and new buildings (and a cemetery!) to the layouts. And these guys just keep the trains running smoothly and delighting visitors of all ages.
New volunteer Hunter Barnett has added youth and creativity to running and working the Lionel layout. His intelligence and exuberance keeps us all on our toes with fresh ideas.
Richard Sunman has made a generous donation of a large Lionel train collection with a value of $30,000 and he is building a nine-foot-high showcase for the collection. Some of the collection is now running on our 20’ x 30” O gauge layout. Thank you so much Richard.
Model Cars:
The Albuquerque Model Car Club collection has added several clever and beautiful dioramas to the exhibit. On Sunday’s children get to go on a scavenger hunt that increases the fun. It attracts visitors of all ages. Rich Hansell and Chuck Hermann provide wonderful background to the history and current developments of model cars. Visiting kids love it.
The Alvarado Room:
Volunteer Patti Santillo’s beautiful Alvarado Hotel exhibit design and historian/docent Ronn Perea’s colorful stories told to lucky Sunday visitors about the Alvarado make Albuquerque’s cultural, political, and social history come alive for visitors. Visit us after you visit the Railyard Market and you will have a wonderful experience.
The Workers’ Exhibit:
Janet Coen and volunteers are enhancing the workers’ exhibit to bring to life the culturally diverse and creative workers and their families and their contributions to the building of Albuquerque.
Welcoming you and enhancing your visits:
So many volunteers share their time and insights with you when you visit WHEELS. To name a few: Richard Buratti, Alan Trosclair; Kathy Economy, the model train and model car and Alvarado docents already mentioned, Elliot Pierce, Janet Coen and Leba Freed and new volunteers David Seely, Ronald Lah, and, of course Leba and Janet Coen, Tom Sims as well as jacks-of-all-trades and train engineers Steve Perry and Henryk Sloma.
WHEELS Museum is a non-profit, volunteer run organization.
Address: 1100 Second Street SW, Albuquerque N.M.
Phone: (505) 243-6269
e-mail: wheelsmuseum@aol.com
website: http://wheelsmuseum.org/
Mailing address: Wheels Museum, PO BOX 95438, Albuquerque, NM
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9-12 P.M. Summer months: Sundays 10 AM to 2 PM.
We very much would like to be open for more hours, but we need more volunteers to be able to do so. If you are interested call Leba or Janet at (505) 243-6269.
Tax deductible donations and sponsorships are gratefully accepted. Contact Leba at leba4@aol.com.