Change can cause anxiety and insecurity. Good change can feel exciting. Happily, we are intelligent human beings and can feel both at the same time, because that has defined Questa and our own non-profit for the last 10 years.
When the Questa Creative Council was formed, Questa was a very different place. That was in the fall of 2017, and we had organized ourselves in direct response to issues identified in Questa’s redevelopment plan in the wake of the Chevron Molycorp mine closure.
Some of those issues identified are slower going, but we’ve been able to focus on what is already all around us and can move faster! The continuing reshuffling of all our colorful bits of culture and talent fall into new patterns constantly for the QCC board and our neighbors.
We celebrated the opening of the Questa History Trail in 2017 after two years of study and research, including the hosting of “Gathering Memories” with native son Estevan Rael-Galvez at the Questa VFW. (If you have yet to walk this informative half-mile trail in the center of town, now is the time, while the weather is comfortable!)
Other early years projects were NeoRio, where artists from around the country came to create outdoor contemporary art installations at Wild Rivers, a project founded by Claire Cote and LEAP. The Wild Rivers Plein-Air multiple-day festival, led by another founder, Peggy Trigg, drew outdoor painters from around the southwest to our area. Local live music programs were begun in 2018 with the Questa Chamber Music Series, a project initiated by another founding member, Martha Shepp, right up through COVID days, when a hybrid live and recorded concert was presented at The Sala. Although these events are no longer active, they did much to build a beautiful opinion of Questa by visitors, new and returning.
Now in its tenth year, the Questa Art Tour is flourishing, our signature event that brings well over 800 visitors to our village during the second weekend of August. Local artists enjoy sales and attract collectors, while local businesses benefit, and Questa’s image as a creative place surrounded by natural beauty is further solidified. Help us thank the many 2025 Art Tour sponsors: Questa Credit Union, Granite, Rosie’s Smokehouse, Cerro Vista Farm, Salon del Sol, JB&Co Auto Repair, Sangre de Cristo Valley Market, Tia’s, Wildcat’s Den, and the new Yerba dispensary. We even have sponsors further afield, the 101 Bar & Grill in Costilla, the San Luis Coffee Co., and Mrs. Rios, in San Luis!
Back to that kaleidoscope, we had to give up on the idea of an outdoor Christmas Market (too cold!) in the European tradition, but our relocated indoor Alumbra market has become a much-enjoyed holiday event where our artists can show and sell their wares and community is heartily felt.
Sadly, Questa’s art gallery, ArtQuesta, run by Roger and Sandra Harrington, had to close its doors this spring. Aside from losing a respected local business, this was the southside anchor for the summer art tour. Regroup!
Even as we work to relocate some artists to new locations for this year’s tour, more studios are presenting themselves. We’re including a few more talented artists just over the Colorado border. We weren’t sure how many guests would venture so far when we added the Garcia, Colorado studio of painter Karen Ahlgren a couple of years ago, but out-of-town guests raved about the stunning northern Rio Grande scenery that they were not aware of, and Karen’s work.
Given all the unique bits of culture and color in Questa, our board and staff see these changes as a kaleidoscope that is unpredictable as opposed to stressful, and often surprisingly lovely.
Find more information about the Questa Creative Council and its projects and events at QuestaCreative.org, or phone us at (575) 586-5658.
