Our non-profit is again hosting the annual Questa Art Tour this summer, now in its 11th year. And each year we strive to respond to the community’s desires and represent our local artists better and better. Though, we felt we were losing the focus on Questa itself, given that all the formal art venues are now closed in the village and our tour route had ranged further north to encompass eager talent near the border. New measures were called for.
With federal funding for the Arts being cut around the country and right here in northern New Mexico, we have become even more dependent on local support, from the Taos Community Foundation, Chevron, LOR Foundation, the Taos County Lodgers Tax fund, and our local business sponsors.
New this year, we offered our business community an option to increase their support for our August art tour, to not only have their logos shared on our publicity materials, but also have the location and description of their enterprise noted right on the art tour map-brochure that will be in the hands of 800 or so visitors the second weekend of August.
Of our 17 event sponsors, 11 opted to donate more toward the art tour this year. All were invited to casually host local art for the weekend, if they did not already do so, and some have made plans for adding music and special foods to the creative excitement. We are thrilled that our business community answered the call to make the village itself a fitting welcome to a beautiful, historic, dramatic tour route that extends outward from Questa.
Look for weird and wonderful steam-punk art in front of JB & Co Auto Repair. Isaias Marquez creates sculptures out of discarded auto parts, plus there will be metal art and stone jewelry on offer by Juan and the team. Questa Lumber, Sangre de Cristo Market, Northstar Tire & Auto, and Car Quest (newly named Q-Town) all added more support this year. Rosie’s Smokehouse joined the fun to highlight the art always on display there, as did Thrift de Questa and Rael’s Market, both of whom include the works of local artists in their shops, and may add more for tour weekend.
The Village Stop ‘n Go will be hosting a wine tasting of New Mexico vintages. The Wildcat’s Den will host Chris Arellano’s young musicians; the School of Rock on Saturday. Speaking of Questa’s favorite places to eat; the Monte Carlo stepped up, so, as always, the Grill will have tasty offerings.
And by the way, a new favorite, The Fizz Lab will offer refreshing drinks at the Questa Library that will be full of artists, and goodies from Dipped by Ellie will be available at the new pop-up gallery at the Cerro VFW. The Communities of Questa Mariachi will also make an appearance there!
Save the dates, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8-9, to support our local artists, and, appreciate the support of our local businesses. Find more information and preview the tour’s map-brochure online at QuestaCreative.org
