December in Questa will be brightened for us all with art and crafts, from the traditional to the modern, to the blank canvas of a 10-year-old child!

Once again, we are in the middle of our favorite fundraiser; Art Kits for Kids! Professional New Mexico artists and art lovers alike are supporting the next generation with their donations.

How does it work? We obtain age-appropriate art supplies and distribute these at the Questa Public Library. The fund drive continues until December 10, and then we must get our order to Santa! Many thanks go to Peggy Trigg, for keeping the annual Art Kits project going.

Donations can be made on our website at QuestaCreative.org — look for the Art Kits program illustrated on the home page and click on the picture. You’ll find an easy donate feature. Donations are tax-deductible and will be used immediately. If you prefer, you can mail a check to PO Box 1025, Questa, NM, 87556, with “art kits” on the memo line.

So, kids! Come and collect your art-themed holiday presents from December 18 through 21, at the Questa Library during regular hours, Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m..

QCC Open House Community Celebration

December brightness continues with a fun Questa Creative Council Open House Community Celebration on Saturday, December 2, when we host you and all our event participants, supporters, and fans — with food and music and a chance to get to know each other outside of the busyness of summer event season! If you are one of our Art Tour artists, or just enjoyed visiting all the studios and hubs, or enjoy what the QCC does in so many other ways — we want to see you there! Drop in between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the Sala on the south side of town, 2331 Highway 522. Music will be provided by local favorites Chris and Rodney Arellano around 5 p.m. and Mark and Justin of the High Desert Acoustic Duo, around 6:30 p.m. Bring your friends, so they can learn what we’re up to, also. This is a FREE event for you.

Alumbra de Questa Holiday Market

And even more brilliance! The following Saturday, December 9, is when the QCC, the Village of Questa, and more supporters kick off the holiday season with a full day and evening of Christmas fun. First comes the 8th annual Alumbra de Questa Holiday Market, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the VFW Hall. Expect to find your favorite local artists and craftspeople, plus delicious food, homemade goodies to take home, hot chocolate to enjoy while listening to live Christmas music, and maybe you’ll run into Santa Claus! We hear he will visit with some gifts on hand for good (and trying to be good) children. There will be a few tents full of artistic items outside, too. New this year, a living nativity setup will be hosted by the Living Word Church. Do plan to come enjoy the holiday spirit with your neighbors and friends — what a great way to SHOP LOCAL and keep your dollars in Questa.

Tree Lighting and Light Parade
If the evening is still feeling young for you, then you can head south on 522 and attend the Village of Questa annual Light Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony (story on page 4). The parade starts at 5:30 p.m.
Amazon’s Smiles donation program for non-profits has been discontinued, but if you are of a mind to do some year-end giving to our non-profit, we would more than welcome your generosity! Come and find us at the Sala on Saturday, December 2 — there is sure to be a donation jar amidst the goodies. Or, go to our website and scroll to the very bottom for giving information.

We mean every word of our mission; to strengthen community through arts, culture, history, and education. We wish you all a very happy holiday season, and hope to see you soon!