SANTA FE, N.M. - (Business Wire) The Qwest Foundation today announced a $49,000 grant to the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art to support education outreach programs that serve New Mexico students. The Qwest Foundation will be recognized as presenting sponsor of the 57
th annual Traditional Spanish Market, held on the downtown Plaza in Santa Fe, July 26-27.
The Spanish Colonial Arts Society provides youth educational outreach programs in public schools and art centers throughout New Mexico, particularly in underserved areas. These classes teach the traditional Spanish Colonial arts to more than 7,000 students each year, and are conducted by the artists affiliated with the Spanish Market.
“Our students are the future of New Mexico,” said Loretta Armenta, Qwest New Mexico president and a native of Santa Fe. “I’m proud that the Qwest Foundation is able to contribute to their success, and the success of the Spanish Market, a true gem of Santa Fe.”
“We are pleased to partner with the Qwest Foundation for the third consecutive year as the sponsor of our education outreach programs, and our presenting sponsor of Spanish Market,” said Bud Redding, director of the Spanish Market. “Qwest's generous commitment of support furthers our mission to celebrate the Spanish colonial artistic traditions of New Mexico and their continuing evolution.”
The Spanish Market is the oldest and largest exhibition and sale of traditional Spanish colonial art in the United States. The Qwest Foundation, named presenting sponsor of this year’s event, has donated $147,000 in the past three years to support the event. Today, after two decades of market growth and change, the once-intimate Spanish Market has become the largest exhibition of traditional Hispanic arts in the United States.
More than 250 native New Mexican artists – many of them nationally recognized – exhibit and sell their handmade artwork at the Spanish Market, an event that attracts the local community, tourists and serious art collectors from around the world. In addition to adult artists, a special youth exhibition area features the artwork of some 100 children, ages 6 to 17, who are developing skills passed down through the generations. Admission is free to the public.
About Qwest Foundation
The Qwest Foundation's core principle is that investing in people and communities provides lasting value for the future. The Qwest Foundation awards grants to community-based programs that generate high-impact and measurable results, focusing on pre-K through grade 12 education.
About the Spanish Colonial Arts Society
In 1965 the Spanish Colonial Arts Society revived Spanish Market, which it originally had sponsored from 1926 until the mid-1930's. Held in conjunction with the annual Indian Market on the Santa Fe Plaza, it renewed the society's commitment to support the artistic growth of Hispanic artists native to New Mexico and southern Colorado and working in traditional art forms.
Qwest Communications International Inc.
Gary Younger, 801-237-6902
gary.younger@qwest.com
or
Spanish Colonial Arts Society
Bud Redding, 505-982-2226
bud@spanishcolonial.org
