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Feature
‹‹ V.19 No.46 | November 18 - 24, 2010
 
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Feature

Stop, Shop and Stroll

Arts and crafts festivals in your ’hood

By Amy Dalness

No middleman here—arts fairs mean a direct line from you (the eager shopper) to the local artisan (the happy-to-help entrepreneur). These holiday events bring hundreds of options together under one roof—or tent—and offer New Mexican-made presents with gas-saving convenience. You won’t find this stuff at Kmart.

Albuquerque Bead Renaissance Show
beadshow.com
Expo New Mexico (300 San Pedro NE)
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19 and 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free
For the lover of handmade jewelry on your nice list, consider adding this bead-tastic event to your agenda.

Modrall Sperling 26th Annual Craft and Gift Show
Bank of America Building (500 Fourth Street NW)
Friday, Nov. 19, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free
Steal away a few minutes from your workday to browse this homebrewed show featuring handcrafted items from more than 25 vendors.

Zia Arts and Crafts Christmas in New Mexico Show
ziaartsandcrafts.com
Expo New Mexico (300 San Pedro NE)
Friday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$6 adults; free 15-and-under
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in New Mexico, and the 125 exhibitors at this annual show are ho-ho-ho-ping you’ll clear a spot for their fine wares under your tree.

Fall 2010 Contemporary Clay Fair
contemporaryclayfair.com
Santa Fe Women’s Club (1616 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe)
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 20 and 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free
One medium: clay. Possibilities: innumerable. This is the event for hand-hewn clay, from the purely functional to the fantastic.

Placitas Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Sale
placitasholidaysale.com
Village of Placitas (Exit 242 east off I-25, then follow the signs)
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 20 and 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free
Peruse the work of more than 80 exhibitors from throughout the Southwest. This juried show is presented in three different locations in the lovely Village of Placitas—a church, a school and a winery. That’s holiday spirit.

Corrales Holiday Art Fest
corralesartists.org
Corrales Rec Center (500 Jones, Corrales)
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 26 and 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free
From the Corrales Society of Artists in the famously creative village, a menagerie of gift-giving delights awaits.

The 11th Annul Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival Holiday Show
riograndefestivals.com
Expo New Mexico (300 San Pedro NE)
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 26 and 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$6 adults; $8 three-day pass; free 12-and-under
This yearly extravaganza features fineries both local and national. The Manuel Lujan Exhibit Complex is stuffed with more than 200 booths, a "holiday creation station" for the kids, demonstrations, and an array of food and entertainment.

Ragalos Holiday Shopping Fair
nationalhispaniccenter.org
National Hispanic Cultural Center (1701 Fourth Street SW)
Saturday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free
Arts and crafts vendors, choir performances, and free hot chocolate deck the halls of Albuquerque’s own NHCC.

Santa Fe Winter Indian Market
swaia.org
Santa Fe Convention Center (201 W. Marcy, Santa Fe)
Saturday, Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$5 admission
This annual sale features 130 Native artists, eight demonstrators, a silent auction, a holiday concert by Robert Mirabal and a "fashion row" featuring the work of indigenous designers.

The 47th Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair
unm.edu/~thinkart
UNM SUB Ballroom
Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 1 and 2, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free
All New Mexico-made originals, no exceptions. Support low-income student scholarships and get Aunt Jenny that perfect pair of earrings.

Nob Hill Shop and Stroll
route66central.com
Nob Hill (Central between Girard and Washington)
Thursday, Dec. 2, 5 to 10 p.m.
Free
’Tis the season for the Nob Hill Shop and Stroll—Santa Claus, wandering performers, carolers, refreshments, shopping, shopping and more shopping. Nothing more need be said.

2010 Holiday Fair
albuquerquegardencenter.org
The Albuquerque Garden Center (10120 Lomas NE)
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free
The spot to secure your favorite aromatic plant-based holiday decor with the added appeal of crafty selections from more than 40 sellers.

First Friday Arts Crawl
artscrawlabq.org
Citywide
Friday, Dec. 3, 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Free
Lap up the luxury of gallery-hopping while indulging in holiday shopping. Several locales participate in this monthly arts crawl, so be sure to visit the website for a full lineup or visit your favorite art gallery for details.

The 13th Annual Holiday Stroll
albuquerqueoldtown.com
Old Town (between Mountain and Central, east of Rio Grande)
Friday, Dec. 3, 4 to 9 p.m.
Free
Take a leisurely stroll amid the wholly New Mexican atmosphere of lumanarias, mariachis, cups of steaming cocoa and vendors, then top it off with the traditional lighting of the Old Town Christmas tree.

The 22nd Annual Old Church Fine Crafts Show
corraleshistory.org
Old San Ysidro Church (966 Old Church, Corrales)
Friday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free
Traditional and contemporary works, crafts, soaps, sachets, recycled art, books, beadwork, doodads, bobbles—all Nuevo Mexicano, all original.

2010 Holiday Bizarre Bazaar
thekosmosnm.blogspot.com
The Kosmos (1715 Fifth Street NW)
Saturday, Dec. 4, noon to 4 p.m.
Free
Alternative gift fair, live music, camaraderie and community-mindedness. And coffee.

Holiday Arts Festival and Twinkle Light Parade
cabq.gov/crs/twinklelight.html or 311
Civic Plaza (Third Street and Marquette NW)
Saturday, Dec. 4, noon to 6 p.m.
Free
In its inaugural year, the Holiday Arts Festival will follow the Twinkle Light Parade in bringing local artisans to Civic Plaza. The city promises a festival atmosphere with music, dance performances, face painting and a visit from (of course) Santa.

Holiday Olé
jlabq.org
Marriott Uptown (2101 Louisiana NE)
Sunday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$5 in advance, $7 at the door
A shopping spectacular presented by the Junior League of Albuquerque. And Santa!

Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice’s 14th Annual Holiday Gala Fundraiser
abqpeaceandjustice.org
First Congregational Church (2801 Lomas NE)
Saturday, Dec. 11, 6 to 10 p.m.
$10 suggested donation
Bring yourself and the fam for some mingling and music, and perhaps a little noncorporate present purchasing. Bring along a few warm things to donate to the St. Martin’s Hospitality Center, while you’re at it.

Winter Arts and Crafts Fair
indianpueblo.org
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (2401 12th Street NW)
Sunday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free
An entire fair featuring works by Native American artists—can’t get more local than that.