Current Projects – Questa Creative Council https://questacreative.org Mon, 30 Mar 2026 22:01:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://questacreative.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/QCClogodan-150x150.png Current Projects – Questa Creative Council https://questacreative.org 32 32 Kids Express https://questacreative.org/__trashed/ Fri, 27 Mar 2026 19:23:27 +0000 https://questacreative.org/?p=11566 A COLLABORATIVE ART SHOW IN QUESTA! Reception Thrs. 4/16, 4:30-6:30 pm at the Questa Youth & Family Ctr. View the show thru April 20th.

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A first-ever, five-day art exhibit featuring young local artists will be held at the Questa Youth Center, April 16–20.

The event is hosted by a collaborative team from Questa Creative Council (QCC), Harwood Museum of Art, LEAP, Village of Questa, Vida del Norte Afterschool Program, 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 Thursday, April 16, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. The show offers open hours Friday and Saturday, April 17–18, from 12 to 6 pm, and will be on view for Sunday and Monday happenings.


“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. 


Art teacher Maya McDonald adds, “Alta Vista is excited to be part of an event that showcases the excellence and expression of our students!”
“We at the Harwood Museum of Art believe in the transformative power of arts experiences. We’re grateful to Claire Coté for leading this.” 

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]]> Ceramic Café https://questacreative.org/ceramic-cafe/ Sat, 21 Oct 2023 16:12:15 +0000 https://questacreative.org/?p=9482 Part of our Art-for-All series. Come play with clay! On Thursdays, April 9th-May 28th, 2026, 5 to 9 pm at the Questa Youth & Family Center.

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Clay | Tools | Glazes | Inspiration | Community

The 2026 session will run April 9th-May 28th, 2026, Thursdays, 5-9pm. All are welcome to attend! Although kids under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. No previous experience necessary, tools and clay are provided (see below if you plan a volume of work).

We meet at the Questa Youth & Family Center’s Art Room, next to the Questa Library, at 10 Municipal Park Drive. Ceramic Cafe is an “open studio” format, so you may come and go within the announced hours as you please. You can be self-guided, or, get help from host and expert ceramicist, Carole Merriman. 

If you are a returning clay-player, have been in the Cafe before and want to make a volume of pieces, we ask that you pay for your own bag of clay. Glazing and advice are still free!

For more information you may leave a message for Carole at (575) 586-5658 or email: info@questacreative.org

Donations for provisions appreciated

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]]> Questa History Trail https://questacreative.org/questa-history-trail/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 17:12:13 +0000 https://questacreative.org/?p=6375 Our History Trail reveals a microcosm of northern NM history along its .6m trail, with great views and information signage along the way.

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Questa History Trail Visitors' Guide

This free-standing self-guided walking tour illustrates a microcosm of northern New Mexico history in 8 interpretive signs. Maps available at the Welcome kiosk and in the Visitor Center. The trail loops from our village’s main intersection (and sole traffic light) to our historic church plaza. Start at the Welcome kiosk on the corner of Hwys 38 and 522 and follow the directional arrows to enjoy the informational signage and beautiful views. 

In different years, we have celebrated our trail on National Trails Day. Plans for 2025 are pending.

Please use caution as the ground is rough in places. Please be respectful of residents and worshipers you may encounter. Explore all the research for a deeper understanding of many topics the trail’s signs introduce along with local memories.

Creation of this project was funded by National Park Services’ Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program, Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, New Mexico Humanities Council with support from the Village of Questa, US Forest Service, Chevron, Taos County Lodgers Tax, and LEAP. Thanks to QCC’s current sponsors for their support of our ongoing projects: The Taos Community Foundation, LOR Foundation, New Mexico Arts, Chevron, QEDF, Art Questa, Granite, Questa Credit Union, Ellie, Topped Out Plumbing, plus many individual donors.

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]]> Vino in the Valley https://questacreative.org/vino-in-the-valley/ Mon, 24 Mar 2025 20:47:41 +0000 https://questacreative.org/?p=10830 This Art and Wine Festival, June 20-21, 2026, in neighboring Red River will highlight Questa artists!

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Collaboration with Red River

The Questa Creative Council, Members and Art Tour Artists will be collaborating in the Vino in the Valley Festival which is taking place this year in Red River, June 20-21, 2026.

We hope all of you will come enjoy this cool mountain town, and enjoy our great arts and crafts from talented Questa artists. It will be a wonderful preview of our August art tour!

The Red River Chamber of Commerce, has been working hard to ensure this event is extra accessible to our local artists to showcase and sell their artwork. As a result, this is an awesome opportunity to introduce ourselves to more customers and collectors.

Info For Artists

There are two ways to participate:

1. Free showing of one or two of your artworks in the “Questa Creative Council Local Artist’s Pavillion”. This is a large tent centrally located in the park.

2. Rent a table to sell your artwork or craft for 1, 2 or 3 days for discounted rates: The prices for the 8’ tables under the QCC tent will be:

  • One day @ $75
  • Two days @ $125
  • Three days @ $150

It’s a great opportunity to collaborate with our neighbors and it is a sweet deal for Questa artists! If you are interested in participating by showcasing your artwork, please contact Mary Jo Kelly to coordinate your spot!

email: wildriver575@gmail.com
phone: 575-224-4220

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]]> Questa Art Tour https://questacreative.org/questa-art-tour/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 14:32:40 +0000 https://questacreative.org/?p=6365 August 8-9, 2026, save the dates! We are the first tour of the season in northern New Mexico, now in our 11th year!

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Historic and inspiring; from the restored San Antonio de Padua church in Questa to the stunning views of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, welcome to this most scenic of art tours!    

Since 2015, the Questa Creative Council’s Questa Art Tour has featured over 50 local artists and craftspeople annually, reflecting the cultural diversity and artistry of the northern Rio Grande Valley!  The tour is set against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with art to discover from the traditional to contemporary.

Visiting Questa is easy. We are the “backyard” of Taos, a best-kept secret for drivers and hikers escaping the crowds. A wide variety of hotels and restaurants await in charming, historic Taos, just a half-hour south along the Rio Grande. 

And, we are a culturally-different side trip for visitors to Red River, just 15 minutes east. This former mining town is full of family-friendly motels and vacation rentals. 

To the north of our tour route you can discover the historic Jaroso Hotel with unique, artist-run rooms available! more info at the below link.  airbnb.com/h/oldjarosohotel

Of course, Questa itself has some of the most beautiful camp sites in the United States, and spots for parking your RV within our village, along with some very good burgers and burritos! 

We hope to see you in August!

The Questa Art Tour actually began a couple years before its hosting non-profit was created. It had been a long-time dream of former gallery owner, Roger Harrington, and then-newly retired art teacher, Peggy Trigg. Their plan became urgent after the local mine closed, in 2014, sending shock waves in our village and altering our economy forever. 

When the Strategic Plan for Economic Redevelopment officially identified The Arts as an important avenue to support income for locals and build the new image for Questa, our team upped our game and developed a non-profit that was immediately welcomed by local foundations and Federal and State grants plus many generous supporters.

This work has more than met our mission to support community through the arts, culture, history, and education. We hope you enjoy our activities as a neighbor, or as a visitor who can experience the continuum of arts and crafts from rural settlement to new generations building on this inspired lifestyle.

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]]> Northern New Mexico Artists https://questacreative.org/northern-new-mexico-artists/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 17:15:33 +0000 https://questacreative.org/?p=6390 A directory of local artists, with images or their works, biographical and contact information.

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An engaging directory of Questa area artists—and your connection to shop locally all year ’round for crafts and art—from the traditional to the modern. Discover the ARTIST DIRECTORY PAGES with images and contact information for each one. Northern New Mexico offers a huge variety of scenery, from mountaintop lakes to river gorges, vast mesa views, wildflowers and wildlife.

Culture is vibrant here too, where the presence of earlier peoples is still felt. With the UNESCO World Heritage site of Taos Pueblo to the south, the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument to the west, The Carson National Forest to the east, and Latir Lakes overlooking it all; northern Taos County is a uniquely wonder-filled place.

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]]> Traditional Foods Workshop https://questacreative.org/traditional-foods-workshop/ Sun, 28 Sep 2025 20:47:13 +0000 https://questacreative.org/?p=11234 In time for the holidays, learn to make empanaditos, biscochitos, and prune pie the old (right) way! November 7th, 2026

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The Questa History Trail presents:

Learn to make traditional Questa recipes in time for the holidays!    

Beloved local historian, and renowned traditional cook, Flavio Cisneros, will demonstrate his techniques for making several favorite regional recipes.  Participants will be provided notebooks to record the lessons and will gain insights into the very specific inspirations and differences often seen in our unique, historically-isolated, part of Northern New Mexico.  

Workshop will be held Saturday morning, November 7th, 2026, at the Living Word Ministries’ event building.  #12 Llano Road (a turn to the east on the north side of Questa.)   FREE !

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]]> Alumbra Holiday Fair https://questacreative.org/alumbra-holiday-fair/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 17:14:36 +0000 https://questacreative.org/?p=6385 It's a bright and festive holiday celebration of talent with local art and crafts, foods, community warmth, and good will. Usually on the 2nd Saturday in December.

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Join us this holiday season for the Questa community’s biggest holiday market. Local vendors of handmade art, crafts, and edibles are invited to join us!  Shoppers will find a room full of unique locally-made holiday gifts! It’s a bright and festive celebration of talent and community.
 

2025’s event will be held on Saturday, December 13th, from 10a-4p, again at the Questa VFW Hall! (on Hwy 522, northside of Questa)

for Vendors;

12/2-ALL TABLES ARE SOLD OUT!

doors will open at 9a.m. for set-up. There are no reserved spots, all are good! You may unload in front of the hall, but do plan to park on the side of the bldg during the event.

Vendor Application Form

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]]> Art Kits for Kids (with Questa Library) https://questacreative.org/youth-art-classes-with-questa-library/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 17:19:32 +0000 https://questacreative.org/?p=6415 Art supplies for area kids add to the holiday spirit, distributed for free at Questa library.

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Pick Up at Questa Public Library in December

This is a yearly fund drive to assure all children in our area have access to a wide range of art materials; nurturing their creativity and self-expression. For teens to little ones; FREE paints, brushes, and much more are given away. Your donations make it all possible.

2025’s distribution/pick-up day will be Friday, Dec., 12, from library opening at 11a-3p.

        *Artists who would like to contribure fund-raising works to sell (at much-reduced rates) to benefit this project, stay tuned for emailed details or reach out to us per our Contact page. 
        *Art buyers who’d like to purchase the pieces, stay tuned for Facebook posts on our Questa Creative Council page, and, for e-newsletters from us describing the wonderful donated art works! 

We hope for all sales to be complete for Cyber-Monday after Thanksgiving, to give us time to tally the donations and order the kids’ art supplies!

Thank you for your interest! 

 

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]]> Questa Music Series https://questacreative.org/questa-music-series-overview/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 17:13:10 +0000 https://questacreative.org/?p=6380 Hosted in intimate unique venues, these events honor the history of musical gatherings and community

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Live and Collaborative Concerts

Since 2018, the Questa Music Series (previously named Questa Chamber Music Series) has given a venue in the rural context of Questa to talented local and visiting musicians. These events are often hosted in an intimate or unique venue; in doing so it honors the history of musical gatherings and community.

Questa Music Series gives a venue in Questa that honors the history of musical gatherings, as a profound way to build community. The term “chamber music” was coined in the late 1700s to indicate live musical performance in a chamber, or a room, with a small number of performers (3-5) and a limited number of persons in attendance, and usually as part of a longer gathering that might have involved a meal and lively discussions. It also implied that acoustic instruments were to be used with no amplification required.

We now think of our music series as a place to hear music performed in an intimate setting, where interaction between audience and performer is desired and expected! Pairings of music with food, drinks, and discussion is part of the experience.

Our collaborative partner is Sala, located at 2331 Hwy 522.

Rural Questa will benefit as audience members, and local / regional classical musicians will have a venue to play that is not as far away as Alamosa, CO (80 miles) or Taos (25 miles).

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