The Placitas Holiday Arts and Crafts Show: A true community event

For twenty-seven years, residents and visitors have enjoyed the transition to the holidays while shopping, talking with the artists, and meeting old friends amidst the creative wonders of the Placitas Holiday Sale. Traditionally held the weekend before Thanksgiving, the Placitas Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Sale has become a beacon for artists and art lovers. This year, it will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The show has acquired an excellent reputation for extremely high-quality fine arts and crafts, good food, fine wine, and lots of fun. Featuring eighty-two of our finest artists, the fair takes place at three central locations in the historic village of Placitas: the Anasazi Fields Winery, the Big Tent next to the Presbyterian Church, and the recently remodeled Elementary School.

The show includes renowned Placitas artists, as well as many from across the state: Albuquerque, Bernalillo, Corrales, Chimayo, Santo Domingo, Pecos, Santa Fe, Taos, Tijeras, and Reserve. Some even come from Colorado (Crestone and Silverton).

These special artists were selected by a jury from an ever-growing number of applicants based on quality, originality, and variety. The organizers feel that by maintaining the number at about eighty, they can assure a high-quality show. Since 1982, visitors have enjoyed the relaxed, comfortable atmosphere—its modest size allows time to enjoy the splendor of the wares and actually visit with the artists.

A wide variety of handcrafted work will satisfy the most challenging holiday gift list: glass, water prisms, ceramics, batik, jewelry, gourd art, wood, prints, paintings, painted drums, photography, wood, baskets, metal work, clothing, and much more will be at the Placitas Holiday Sale this year. Many of the artists create special gifts for the holiday season. Look for unique affordably priced items available only at the sale.

Anasazi Fields Winery will be featuring a new release of their American Cranberry Table Wine, the perfect complement to the holiday dinner; they will also be serving cups of hot, mulled cranberry wine. Other wines available will be their two grape-based wines, Blanco Seco and Rojo Seco, and three wines produced exclusively from fruit grown in Placitas: Apple, Peach, and Plum. For more information, visit www.anasazifieldswinery.com. Tempting fine chile chocolates, coffee bean chocolates, pecan chocolates, and more from Amour Chocolates will also be featured at the Winery.

Across the road at the Big Tent east of the Presbyterian Church, Las Placitas Presbyterian Church will sell their famous homemade frozen chile, “Just Coffee,” and handmade Christmas gift bags to benefit Habitat for Humanity and other mission projects.

Delicious food will be available at all three sites. At Site #1, Anasazi Fields Winery will feature “Little Smokies,” who will serve salmon on a stick with lettuce and cheese, as well as shrimp dogs, shrimp tacos, and cheese stuffed bread. West of the Big Tent at Site #2, the Presbyterian Church will be selling breakfast burritos, chili hot dogs, brownies, and drinks out of their kitchen. At Site #3, the Placitas Elementary School’s fifth-grade parents will be selling such hot foods as Frito pies, chile stew, burritos, and desserts. While you’re doing your holiday shopping at the show, be sure to get something yummy from these fine groups.

Each year artists in the Placitas Holiday Sale donate work to a raffle; this year, one hundred percent of the raffle proceeds will go to the Placitas Elementary School Arts in the School program for art supplies. All raffle items will be on display at the school; tickets are $1. In the past five years, the raffle has raised over $5,000 to help the students—we hope this year will be another big success.

Mark your calendars for this fun and festive holiday art event, located six miles east of I-25 on Highway 165 (take exit 242). Colorful signs and banners will mark the way through the scenic hills to the historic village of Placitas.