It’s time to report on the results of this past summer’s Questa Art Tour! Participating artists and hub leaders shared their results with us on their sales: 9 percent made sales of over $3,000 during the weekend event, 15 percent had sales between $1,000 and $3,000, 19 percent of artists reported sales between $500 and $1,000, and 46 percent earned under $500. Only 11 percent of participants did not make any sales, but greatly enjoyed the chance to interact with a wide variety of art enthusiast visitors on the tour.
Most guests were from the Questa area and Taos County. The next largest group was from greater New Mexico, with major numbers of out-of-state visitors who reported staying along the Enchanted Circle. Many planned their visit around Questa Art Tour dates!
Questa is becoming much more aligned with overall state statistics in terms of tourism visits. We are no longer just the place where one turned east to go to Red River! Much of New Mexico’s visitation comes from drive markets — primarily from the surrounding states of Texas, Arizona, California, and Colorado, plus those ever culturally interested New Yorkers.
According to the New Mexico state tourism department, 2022 set new records for visitation, with an estimate of almost 41 million trips, surpassing the previous year’s record. Great news for Questa; trips to New Mexico more frequently include cultural and outdoor activities compared to the U.S. average, where 60 percent of all trips here included an outdoor activity versus the U.S. average of 48 percent. Almost half of trips to New Mexico included a cultural activity, while the U.S.average was only 29 percent. As to activities that directly add to our state’s economy, and potentially Questa’s; visitors also make more purchases here than the U.S. average, and dine more frequently at local restaurants.
A report by UNM that studied the creative economy of New Mexico notes: “With a genuinely unique history, a creatively engaged population, and a strong national and global reputation, New Mexico is well positioned to succeed in the development of its [arts] economy.” Further, “…to appreciate the importance of arts and culture to New Mexico’s economy, consider that primary employment for this sector is roughly equal to the state’s construction industry and 50 percent larger than the manufacturing industry. Total wages for the arts and cultural industries roughly equal the total paid by the state’s mining industry, and more than the total paid by hotels and restaurants.”
All of this affirms Questa’s beautiful outdoors and the financial benefits of focusing on arts offerings. Given the cultural traditions, living history, and continuing local lifestyles that build on creative and artistic endeavors, Questa is well placed to benefit from these trends!
It’s a time to thank you
SATURDAY: DECEMBER 2
4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
La Sala
2331 HWY 522, Questa NM
The QCC will host an open house community celebration It’s a time to thank you, our amazing artists and participants, organizers, volunteers, generous supporters, and fans of our events and projects.
Join us for food, drink, music from local favorites Chris and Rodney Arellano, and Mark and Justin of the High Desert Acoustic Duo. Plus we’ll hold a raffle, with prizes.
The Alumbra de Questa Christmas craft market
SATURDAY: DECEMBER 9
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Questa VFW
The Alumbra de Questa Christmas craft market will again be held on the second Saturday in December at the Questa VFW. Find your favorite local craftspeople (or sign up to have a booth! Go to https://questacreative.org/alumbra-holiday-fair/ and download the form) Food, music, fun, an appearance by Santa, and a great chance to SHOP LOCAL for your holiday gifts!
