Our Mission
The Community Groove’s mission is to provide quality art education programming that inspires, educates, and enriches the lives of community members. We are deeply inclusive, and work to bring out the creative side of everyone.
The Community Groove was founded in 2025. It is the non-profit branch of The Groove Artspace, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Art For Everyone
We strive to be a good neighbor and anchor in the heart of downtown Albuquerque, offering art experiences for everyone—no matter your age, background, or skill level. From hands-on classes to community collaborations, we want to work with you! We partner with schools, nonprofits, and local artists to make art and art-making accessible and inspiring. With the help of our amazing volunteers and student interns, we’re building a more colorful, connected community through creativity.
Board Members
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Erika is the owner and director of The Groove Artspace. She founded The Community Groove to continue to pursue providing accessible art education for her community in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is an educator, a local consultant for community education and engagement, and an established mosaic artist. Erika is known to inspire through both her creative work, teaching, and her local engagement efforts.
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Leah Mitchell is a native New Mexican and has been a resident of New Mexico for most of her life. Leah is a retired Certified Public Accountant. Leah loves the beauty of New Mexico’s southwest landscape and culture. In retirement, Leah often travels to experience the arts, history, and cultures abroad and across the USA. When not traveling, Leah is committed to sharing beauty through mosaic art and by teaching others the joy of creativity through mosaic art. Leah continues to use her accounting background to help small businesses and not-for-profit organizations to promote social equity and provide access to art and art education.
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Following 20 years of experience in analyzing, planning and tactical execution of projects and programs related to new business environments and existing business transitions, Beca and her husband retired in Albuquerque, NM. Retirement provided her the time and space to pursue her creative side and she was quickly drawn to creating mosaics. The Groove Artspace offered her the art community she was seeking and she quickly became a student, volunteer and eventually an instructor.
Now, she uses her skillset to support and assist in expanding The Community Groove’s mission to provide high-quality art programs that enrich the lives of our community members.
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Hinata is a creative director and former early childhood educator with a deep passion for creative expression. Having lived in cities across the U.S., she leads with curiosity, compassion, and a mindset rooted in inclusion. Hinata believes in empowering others through both education and community. She values creative work that reflects authenticity and integrity regardless of skill level.