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Sol Arts, known for staging edgy and experimental theater and art exhibits, is closing its performance space at 712 Central Ave. S.E. at the end of the month.

In a statement released this week, Sol Arts announced it is taking a one-year break from the demands of operating and maintaining an arts center in order to focus on artistic creation.

"Our overhead has been a little bit more than we can handle for the 3 years we've been there," said Kristen Loree, a University of New Mexico theater professor and founder of Sol Arts.

Loree said that when Sol Arts was forced to use all of a $10,000 McCune Charitable Foundation grant to pay for rent, she knew it was time for a change.

She said Sol Arts is planning an abbreviated 2008 season but intends to lease space to mount its shows. One of those is expected to be "Vixin," Loree's one-woman musical in which she performs five roles.

Loree said Sol Arts is looking for a smaller venue to rent and is making plans for opening an arts center late next year or early in 2009.

Right now, however, it is lightening its load by selling off props, costumes, furniture, art and electronics.

A sale is set for 11 a.m. Dec. 22 at the Sol Arts space.

Sol Arts was founded in 2002 and passed its first few years presenting art events at venues around Albuquerque.

In June 2004, it settled into the space at 712 Central Ave. S.E. and turned the former candle factory into a 64-seat black box theater and gallery. Its first full-length production there was Clare Booth Luce's "The Women."

During its time in the Central Avenue black box, Sol Arts developed a reputation for both classic and original plays that dared to ignore boundaries.

In August 2005, it staged "Ladyslipper," Tifanie McQueen and Brandy Slagle's original play about female writers, and in October of that year, Sol Arts presented Jean Genet's "The Maids."

"Loose Women of Low Character," a compilation of original sketches by 13 women, appeared at Sol Arts in August 2006.

This month, instead of the usual holiday season fare, Sol Arts is doing Rebecca Gilman's "Boy Gets Girl," a gripping and disturbing drama about a young woman whose life is destroyed by a stalker.