GET OUTTA HERE!

Holiday art show and sale in Pueblo

It’s truly “off the wall” at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center’s 44th annual Own Your Own Holiday Art Show and Sale, running through Jan. 7 in Pueblo. The center’s largest gallery, the White Gallery, is filled wall to wall with original, and affordable, fine art and crafts.

You’ll find an amazing selection in all price ranges, starting at $10. The sale features unique jewelry and glass ornaments, functional pottery and nature photography; more than 70 local and regional artists have created one-of-a-kind pieces.

Just some of the artists featured in the exhibition are Doug Candelaria, Jan Oliver, Kate and Shane Jarrett, Jeremy Manyik, John and Dorothy Mendoza, Teresa Vito, Jason Dunks, Arlyss Grosz, Justin Miller, Cindy Montanari, Steven Mohlenkamp and Jerry Montoya.

It’s an off-the-wall event because whatever gallery-quality pieces you buy, you take with you. With artistic styles including traditional, functional, contemporary and decorative, there’s bound to be something for everyone. Purchases will be boxed and gift-wrapped on request.

In the Helen T. White Galleries, the gift emporium will be open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays (excluding Christmas Day). Special extended shopping hours include Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., in conjunction with Pueblo’s First Friday Art Walks, and Dec. 9, 16 and 23 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission to the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, 210 N. Santa Fe Ave. (Interstate 25 Exit 98b), is $4 for adults, $3 for children and military, which includes admission to the Buell Children’s Museum. For information, call 1-719-295-7200 or visit www.sangredecristoarts.org.

Take a ride on the North Pole Express

Get into the holiday spirit by taking a winter ride with Santa on the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad’s whimsical North Pole Express, either starting or continuing a favorite family holiday tradition.

Trains start in Alamosa and journey to the North Pole on a magical ride to meet Santa. Enjoy cookies and hot cocoa while elves read holiday stories and sing carols. Upon arriving at the North Pole, Santa will climb aboard and hand out a silver sleigh bell to all good girls and boys.
Trains depart at 6 p.m. from the Alamosa depot. Tickets are just $15 for coach, or upgrade to the premium dome seats for just $5 more per seat. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas for a true North Pole Express experience.

Catch one of these special runs Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10 or Dec. 16-17.
Book your holiday journey by visiting www.riogrande scenicrailroad.com, or by calling 1-877-726-RAIL (7245).

JOY HARPER, THE GAZETTE