New Downtown Business: Pleased to Present

Downtown ABQ Mainstreet (DAMI) interviewed Clara Williams, owner of Pleased to Present, to learn all about this new an art gallery located in the former Maisel’s Indian Trading Post.

DAMI: Tell us about Pleased to Present!

Clara: Pleased to Present formed in January 2025 as a 501(c)(3). Initially, we were interested in organizing city-wide studio tours and open studios, but we quickly began to realize we wanted a permanent exhibition space where we could curate shows and share the work of the artists we love with Albuquerque.

DAMI: What attracted you to Downtown Albuquerque to set up an art gallery?‍ ‍

Clara: I used to work as an Assistant City Attorney and worked at City Hall. I was in downtown Albuquerque often and felt excited about what we could do here. It was important that there were several existing galleries, like Richard Levy and 516 Arts, in the immediate area. I had been looking for the perfect building for an exhibition space for several months, when I noticed the gated-up Maisel building. One day, I noticed that the back door was open because work was being done inside. I walked in the back door and immediately knew that I had found the building. I got contact info for the owners from the workers, and met them soon after.

DAMI: Maisel’s Indian Trading Post still lives in the memory of many Albuquerque residents and the building is on the National Historic Registry. What can you share related to updating a historic building? What have been the positives and challenges? Any tips for other business owners?

Clara: To date, we haven't had to do any renovations that have required any changes to the building's structure, so we've been able to avoid any preservation headaches. This has mostly been a very positive experience because so many people have such fond memories of this building.

DAMI: You recently offered your first gallery opening at the beginning of May, how was the opening and what’s coming up next?

Clara: We had our opening reception on May 2 with an exhibition showcasing the work of 148 New Mexico artists. The opening reception happened very soon after the tragic collapse of Lindy's, but even with that, there were 800 people at the joyous opening. Pleased to Present is planning our next exhibitions, and the next show will open at the end of June or early July.

DAMI: Anything else you’d like to share?

Clara: Our programming focuses on bringing nationally and internationally recognized artists to Albuquerque while also supporting and promoting local and regional artists. We have just announced our first of our workshops, which is a 5-Day Portrait Painting Workshop, that will be taught in our classroom studio. We're especially excited about this because we'll be able to exhibit the finished works from the Workshop in a beautiful new exhibition space.

Follow this new space on Instagram and check out their workshops on their website!