A first-ever, five-day art exhibit featuring young local artists will be held at the Questa Youth Center, Apr. 16–20. The event is hosted by a collaborative team from Questa Creative Council (QCC), Village of Questa, Vida del Norte Afterschool Program, Harwood Museum of Art, LEAP, and local schools (Alta Vista Elementary & Intermediate School, Roots & Wings Community School, and Red River Valley Charter School). A reception for the artists, their families, and the community will take place Thurs., Apr. 16, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The show offers open hours on Fri., Apr. 17 and Sat., Apr. 18, from 12 to 6 p.m.
Alta Vista Student Shares an abstract painting
“Supporting youth artistic expression and bringing together students and teachers across programs is what this show is all about,” says coordinator Claire Coté, who is also a QCC board member and LEAP director. As a Harwood Teaching Artist she leads a weekly art project at Vida del Norte’s After School Program at Questa’s Youth Center.
“We empower kids with tools for healthy minds and drug-free lives, and art is part of that,” says Kristie Ritchie, youth coordinator for the Vida del Norte Program.
Art teacher Maya McDonald adds, “Alta Vista is excited to be part of an event that showcases the excellence and expression of our students!”
Mya Maes age 11 sharing her “Golden Frog” she created during a Harwood-sponsored art session at the Vide del Norte Afterschool Program at the Youth Center
“We at the Harwood Museum of Art believe in the transformative power of arts experiences. We’re grateful to Claire Coté for leading this and honored to support the creativity of Questa youth,” says Gwendolyn Fernandez, Curator of Education and Public Programs.
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April is also the month our non-profit gets the ball rolling for Questa Art Tour artists. Applications are open now. Our project team seeks improvement from year to year, and continues to respond to feedback. The increasing numbers of participating artists and of visitors to our village for tour weekend, and of coverage in newspapers and magazines throughout the Southwest is proof that Questa’s artistic star is rising.
Even as some local galleries have closed, we have established new ways to highlight our downtown this year. We’re hoping for Questa cafes and shops that feature art to join us as “Map Sponsors” and be featured on our tour map for visitors to find as they make their way from studio to pop-up art tour galleries this summer. Over 800 art lovers stream through Questa on the second week of Aug., now for the 11th year.
The deadline for artist applications is May 10th to guarantee inclusion in our map-brochure. There is a new online sign-up form to streamline the process and guarantee a spot on the tour. Find much information on our website at QuestaCreative.org. We are also thrilled to welcome a new tour manager this year, Pilar Robledo. Her skills and community-minded focus are certain to bring Questa’s tour to the next level. You may leave a phone message for her at (575) 586-5658, or reach her by email at arttour@questacreative.org.
