Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery
Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery
The Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery, formerly the Primitive Edge Gallery, is a beautiful gallery on the IAIA campus, which grew from humble beginnings. In January 2004 the Library and Technology Center (LTC) opened on the IAIA campus and the library moved from its original site to its permanent location. After the move, the space lay, for the most part, dormant. At times, various classrooms would utilize the space for critiques but it was space that had no permanent purpose.
By August 2004 exhibitions were beginning to formulate. The first exhibition was constructed by a group of Maori exchange students and faculty, in collaboration with IAIA Museums Studies Faculty. By December 2004 the space was solidified as the campus gallery. Pedestals were donated by the IAIA Museum and by August of 2005 track lighting had been installed and a false wall installed to create space for gallery storage. At the same time, a call went out to students to develop a name the student gallery. IAIA Alumnus Cory Garcia was the winning candidate. The Primitive Edge Gallery was named—and thrived despite being small in square footage.
@iaiabalzergallery
In 2014, a generous donation was made by JoAnn and Bob Balzer to renovate the existing gallery space. During the summer of 2014 renovations included 600 sq. ft. of additional gallery space, a larger exhibit preparation lab, new gallery floor, and additional track lighting. Due to the Balzer’s generosity, the gallery was renamed in their honor.
In staying true to its original mission, the gallery doubles as a teaching space for IAIA students to learn all things related to exhibition practice and a space to showcase the artistic nature of the IAIA community.
The Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery is located at the North end of the Academic Building on the beautiful IAIA Campus. Free parking is available for the gallery. During exhibitions the gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am–4:00 pm or by appointment.
Download and view the IAIA Campus Map for directions to the The Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery.
Happenings
List of Events
2024 Fall IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition: Echoes of Identity
Join us for the 2024 Fall IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition, Echoes of Identity.
Past Happenings
List of Events
2024 Fall IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition: Echoes of Identity—Opening Reception
Join us for the 2024 Fall IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition, Echoes of Identity.
2024 IAIA MFA in Studio Arts Thesis Exhibition: We’ve Been Gathering Places—Opening Reception
Join us for the opening reception for We’ve Been Gathering Places, this year’s MFA in Studio Arts (MFASA) thesis exhibition.
2024 IAIA MFA in Studio Arts Thesis Exhibition: We’ve Been Gathering Places
We’ve Been Gathering Places, this year’s MFA in Studio Arts (MFASA) thesis exhibition, features the work of 2024 MFASA graduating students.
2024 Spring IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition: Origins—Opening Reception
Join us for the 2024 Spring IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition, Origins, an exhibition representing the culminating achievements of the Spring graduating BFA in Studio Arts and BFA in Museum Studies students.
2024 Spring IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition: Origins
2024 Spring IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition, Origins, an exhibition representing the culminating achievements of the Spring graduating BFA in Studio Arts and BFA in Museum Studies students.
2023 Fall IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition: Liminal Reflections—Opening Reception
Join us for the 2023 Fall IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition, Liminal Reflections, an exhibition representing the culminating achievements of the Fall graduating BFA in Studio Arts and BFA in Museum Studies students.
2023 Fall IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition: Liminal Reflections
Join us for the 2023 Fall IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition, Liminal Reflections, an exhibition representing the culminating achievements of the Fall graduating BFA in Studio Arts and BFA in Museum Studies students.
2023 IAIA MFA in Studio Arts Thesis Exhibition: Beyond Mastery—Opening Reception at Container
Join us Friday, May 12, 4–6 pm at the Coe Center, and 6–8 pm at Container Art Gallery for the opening receptions for Beyond Mastery, the inaugural IAIA MFASA Thesis Exhibition.
2023 IAIA MFA in Studio Arts Thesis Exhibition: Beyond Mastery—Opening Reception at Coe Center
Join us Friday, May 12, 4–6 pm at the Coe Center, and 6–8 pm at Container Art Gallery for the opening receptions for Beyond Mastery, the inaugural IAIA MFASA Thesis Exhibition.
2023 Spring IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition, Memoria: Art as Record—Opening Reception
Join us Thursday, April 13, 6–8 pm, at the opening reception for the 2023 Spring IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition, Memoria: Art as Record, an exhibition at the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery representing the culminating achievements of the Spring 2023 graduating BFA in Studio Arts and BFA in Museum Studies students.
2023 Spring IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition—Memoria: Art as Record
Join IAIA for the 2023 Spring IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition, Memoria: Art as Record, an exhibition at the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery.
IAIA Fall ’22 Graduating Senior Exhibition: Same World, Different Voices—Opening Reception
Join us Thursday, November 10, from 6:00 pm–8:00 pm at the opening reception for Same World, Different Voices.
Crossing the Realm—IAIA 2022 Spring Graduating Senior Exhibition Opening Reception
The opening reception is on Friday, April 15, from 6–8 pm on the IAIA Campus—light dinner and refreshments served.
Crossing the Realm—IAIA 2022 Spring Graduating Senior Exhibition
Crossing the Realm, the IAIA 2022 Spring Graduating Senior Exhibition, opens April 15 and runs through May 13, 2022.
IAIA 2021 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition “Reemergence 2021”
Reemergence 2021, IAIA’s first in-person senior exhibition since 2019, opens on November 10.
2021 Art Rush
Celebrate the return to campus and start the Fall 2021 semester by creating art at Art Rush in the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery.
IAIA 2021 Virtual Scholarship Auction Art Exhibition Preview
The public can view the artworks in the auction art exhibition at the Balzer Contemporary Native Edge Gallery on the IAIA campus through August 13.
IAIA 2021 Spring Senior Graduating Exhibition “A Retrospective of Change”
A Retrospective of Change, the IAIA 2021 Spring Senior Graduating Exhibition, is available to view virtually.
IAIA 2020 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition “Virtual Reservation”
Virtual Reservation, the IAIA 2020 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition is available virtually.
IAIA 2020 Spring Senior Graduating Exhibition “Memory Unearthed”
Memory Unearthed, the IAIA 2020 Spring Senior Graduating Exhibition is available virtually.
2020 IAIA Art Competition
The Balzer Gallery is proud to host the annual IAIA Art Competition, a precursor to the 2020 American Indian Higher Education Consortium’s (AIHEC) annual conference, which includes a very competitive art competition
In Plain Sight: The Art of IAIA Faculty and Staff—Reception
Each and every day, the IAIA faculty and staff work tirelessly to make the campus and museum an epicenter of Native American art and learning. But how often are these educators, administrators, and museum professionals afforded a moment in the spotlight?
In Plain Sight: The Art of IAIA Faculty and Staff
Each and every day, the IAIA faculty and staff work tirelessly to make the campus and museum an epicenter of Native American art and learning. But how often are these educators, administrators, and museum professionals afforded a moment in the spotlight?
IAIA 2019 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition—Opening Reception
Thirteen, the IAIA 2019 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition, opens November 14 through December 10.
IAIA 2019 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition
Thirteen, the IAIA 2019 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition, opens November 14 through December 10.
2019 Art Rush
Kick off the school year with a BBQ, listen to music, and make art. Art Rush is an annual IAIA community event hosted in the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery. IAIA students, alumni, faculty, staff, and their families, are invited to join.
IAIA 2019 Spring Senior Graduating Exhibition
In April, seventeen seniors from the Studio Arts and Museum Studies programs will present their senior projects in the IAIA 2019 Spring Senior Graduating Exhibition.
IAIA 2018 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition—Opening Reception
In November, eleven seniors from the Studio Arts and Museum Studies programs will present their senior projects in the IAIA 2018 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition.
IAIA 2018 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition
In November, eleven seniors from the Studio Arts and Museum Studies programs will present their senior projects in the IAIA 2018 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition.
IAIA 2018 Spring Senior Graduating Exhibition “Semblance”—Opening Reception
In April, ten seniors from the Studio Arts BFA degree program will present their senior projects in “Semblance”—IAIA 2018 Spring Senior Graduating Exhibition. The senior graduating exhibition showcases the final projects of studio arts seniors.
IAIA 2018 Spring Senior Graduating Exhibition “Semblance”
In April, ten seniors from the Studio Arts BFA degree program will present their senior projects in “Semblance”—IAIA 2018 Spring Senior Graduating Exhibition. The senior graduating exhibition showcases the final projects of studio arts seniors.
IAIA 2017 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition—Opening Reception
Senior exhibitions located at the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery and the Allan Houser Haozous Sculpture and Foundry Building Gallery. Exhibitions will be on display from November 17–December 5, 2017. Free and open to the public—refreshments served during the opening reception.
IAIA 2017 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition
Senior exhibitions located at the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery and the Allan Houser Haozous Sculpture and Foundry Building Gallery. Exhibitions will be on display from November 17–December 5, 2017. Free and open to the public—refreshments served during the opening reception on November 17, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm. The senior graduating exhibition showcases the final projects of […]
IAIA “Wings” Exhibition—Opening Reception
Wings is an exhibition showcasing the artistry of IAIA staff, faculty, and students based on the mystery of winged beings through creation stories, legends, poetry, music, dance, and art.
IAIA “Wings” Exhibition
Wings is an exhibition showcasing the artistry of IAIA staff, faculty, and students based on the mystery of winged beings through creation stories, legends, poetry, music, dance, and art.
2017 Art Rush
Get your creative ideas ready! Art Rush is an annual IAIA community event hosted in the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery. IAIA students, alumni, faculty, staff, and their families, are invited to join in on Art Rush to create a work of art that will be displayed during the Art Rush Exhibition September 13–21, 2017.
IAIA 2017 Staff and Faculty Exhibition “Forever Young”—Closing Reception
Closing reception for Forever Young, an exhibition showcasing the artistry of IAIA staff and faculty based on the concepts of memory, emotion, imagination, freedom, and exploration. The works on display take the viewer backstage to get a glimpse of the artist and their process and how they work with these concepts.
IAIA 2017 Staff and Faculty Exhibition “Forever Young”
Forever Young is an exhibition showcasing the artistry of IAIA staff and faculty based on the concepts of memory, emotion, imagination, freedom, and exploration. The works on display take the viewer backstage to get a glimpse of the artist and their process and how they work with these concepts.
IAIA 2017 Spring Senior Graduating Exhibition—Opening Reception
Senior exhibitions located at the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery and the Allan Houser Haozous Sculpture and Foundry Building Gallery. Exhibitions will be on display from April 13–May 13, 2017. Free and open to the public—refreshments served during the opening reception.
IAIA 2017 Spring Senior Graduating Exhibition
Senior exhibitions located at the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery and the Allan Houser Haozous Sculpture and Foundry Building Gallery. Exhibitions will be on display from April 13–May 13, 2017. Free and open to the public—refreshments served during the opening reception on Thursday, April 13, 2017, at 6 pm.
IAIA 2017 Studio Arts Showcase
Elements of Art and Principles of Design brings together a cross section of work from the IAIA Studio Arts foundations program. The classes from which this show was curated are where Studio Arts students gain the foundational knowledge and skills upon which they can build a successful art practice. Comprised of two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and digital […]
2016 IAIA Holiday Art Market
The 2016 IAIA Holiday Art Market will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016, from 9 am–4 pm at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA). The market will feature works of art by over 60 artists including: “Piikani Lodge Near Rockies” by Terran Kipp Last Gun ’16 (Piikani) Ron Martinez Looking Elk ’90 (Isleta […]
IAIA 2016 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition—Opening Reception
Senior exhibitions located at the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery and the Allan Houser Haozous Sculpture and Foundry Building Gallery. Exhibitions will be on display from November 18–December 7, 2016. Free and open to the public—refreshments served. The senior graduating exhibition showcases the final projects of studio arts and museum studies seniors. In their final semester, […]
IAIA 2016 Fall Senior Graduating Exhibition
Senior exhibitions located at the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery and the Allan Houser Haozous Sculpture and Foundry Building Gallery. Exhibitions will be on display from November 18–December 7, 2016. The senior graduating exhibition showcases the final projects of studio arts and museum studies seniors. In their final semester, the seniors develop exhibitions and work closely […]
IAIA Superhero Antihero Exhibition—Opening Reception
Superhero Antihero is the title of the upcoming exhibition at the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery. Depending on the point of view, what may be a hero to some, may be an antihero to others. IAIA Students, Staff, an Faculty’s artwork from the Superhero Antihero exhibition will be on display from October 20 through November 2, […]
IAIA Superhero Antihero Exhibition
Superhero Antihero is the title of the upcoming exhibition at the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery. Depending on the point of view, what may be a hero to some, may be an antihero to others. IAIA Students, Staff, an Faculty’s artwork from the Superhero Antihero exhibition will be on display from October 20 through November 2, […]
IAIA A-i-R: Jason Garcia, Gerry Quotskuyva, and Luke Parnell—Opening Reception
Please join us in welcoming IAIA Artist-in-Residence (A-i-R) artists Jason Garcia (Okuu Pín-Turtle Mountain), Gerry Quotskuyva (Hopi), and Luke Parnell (Nisga’a and Haida Nations). A complimentary dinner will be served in the Academic Building from 5–5:45 pm, followed by studio tours in the artists’s studios. Jason Garcia Jason Garcia Jason Garcia (Okuu Pín-Turtle Mountain) uses […]
2016 Art Rush Exhibition—Opening
136 paintings were created during the ten-hour Art Rush event on Wednesday, August 24, 2016. Music was provided by DJ Ben Calabaza and Dj FXTRO throughout the day while participants of all ages gathered their supplies, mingled, and created works of art. Participants were provided lunch and snacks which were sponsored by ASG, Student Life, […]
2016 Art Rush Exhibition
136 paintings were created during the ten-hour Art Rush event on Wednesday, August 24, 2016. Music was provided by DJ Ben Calabaza and Dj FXTRO throughout the day while participants of all ages gathered their supplies, mingled, and created works of art. Participants were provided lunch and snacks which were sponsored by ASG, Student Life, […]
2016 Art Rush Event
Get your creative ideas ready! Art Rush is an annual Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) community event hosted in the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery. IAIA students, alumni, faculty, staff, and their families, are invited to join in on Art Rush to create a work of art that will be displayed during the Art Rush […]
Mary V. Bordeaux, MFA
(Sicangu Oglala Lakota)
Director
Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery
P (505) 428-5813
E mary.bordeaux@iaia.edu