Questa Stories

This project is a collection point and archive for local stories, oral histories, conversations, images and artifacts of, by and about the communities, peoples and places of North Central New Mexico. In 2018 we started conducting and recording interviews with locals. We also recorded stories and took images of artifacts and scans of photos shared by participants in a wonderful event, facilitated by Estevan Rael-Galvez on July 8, organized in partnership with the Questa History Trail. (We are processing the data from this event; look for upcoming postings on the website!) We have printed Fotohistorias - enlarged historical photos as “Pop-up” installations - and will place these around Questa; keep an eye out for them! In 2019, Questa Stories is honored to be partnering with “Manitos,” a larger, Mellon-funded project, serving several rural communities within Taos and Sandoval Counties, among which are Questa, Cerro, Costilla and Amalia.

Learn more or get involved at QuestaStories.org

Men threshing wheat. Courtesy National Archives, photo no. 521836 Photographer: Irving Rusinow, Questa, NM circa 1941

Roots ~ Raices

It was beautiful weather on Saturday, Sept. 15, at Montoso Campground at Wild Rivers as over 250 people arrived to explore the theme “Roots ~ Raices” at LEAP’s 10th anniversary outdoor contemporary art celebration. Art installations included a “wall” of rooted willows, innovative backpack kits for “short adventures in place” and root words flapping in the breeze; hands-on activities were for all ages, notably a booth in homage to the lowly beet. Participants were captivated by impassioned young poets at the afternoon Poetry & Music Salon, a bountiful locally sourced (and served) feast, soulful tunes, and informative artist talks at dusk. Featured artists were Scott Sutton, Kacie Smith and UNM Land Arts of the American West artist group (a selection of which also comprised our poets this year); contributing artists were Nicholette Codding and Martha Shepp; featured local musicians were Mad Cat Jack Lorang, Mark Dudrow and Kate Mann. The local feast featured Questa Farmers Market produce and cooks. Approximately one third of the visitors hailed from within a 20-mile radius, and the other two-thirds were from further afield New Mexico towns and cities and surrounding states. NeoRio draws a wide array of participants, diverse in age, interests and cultural backgrounds.  

Join us for NeoRio 2019 on Saturday, September 21 at Wild Rivers to explore “Elements ~ building blocks of the Universe.”

Learn more or get involved with NeoRio at LEAPsite.org

Frontier Town

Questa Mayor Mark Gallegos presides over the opening of a downtown park

Questeños had a love-hate relationship with the molybdenum mine going back 90 years. Over its boom and bust history, the mine provided the economic backbone for the village and an honest living for generations of hard rock miners. As a Superfund site, the moly mine also leaves a legacy of soil, water and air pollution. When Chevron Mining permanently shuttered the mine, 300 locals found themselves abruptly out of work.

 Village leaders sprang into action—creating an economic development plan to fill the void. The plan (funded by Chevron Mining) envisions a sustainable and diverse economic future for Questa, New Mexico.  Outdoor recreation, art and culture, and a reemergence of local agriculture are key. Seeing as that’s our mission at Localogy, we were ready and willing do our part.

Two dignitaries cut the ribbon to open the new park.

 Through a grant from New Mexico Resiliency Alliance, hustled by Charlie Deans, Localogy sponsored a Façade Squad in partnership with Ocho Community Space and the historic Rael’s Market to spruce up downtown. With funding from the Questa Economic Development Fund we also sponsored the creation of a downtown park. Both projects were aimed at enticing tourist dollars to linger in a more vibrant village center.

 The flourish of activity has already inspired holiday events, a weekly makers and growers market, a studio tour, an oral history and historic trail project, and a monthly newspaper. Other development initiatives have included trout habitat improvement, a business park, revolving loan program, and a land and water board. Our LEAP program has been leading the way with major events at the newly minted Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, as well as numerous gallery openings, showcases, and community events downtown.

 Questa is a frontier community—resilient from the start. Questa was here long before the mine. It’s closing has been a hardship, but also an opportunity for Questeños to come together to forge a new economy.

year in pictures 2016

2016 was a big year for Localogy. Here are some pictures of some of the doings that I was lucky to witness. You have to see it to believe in it. With a little help from our friends, we'll make more pictures in 2017.

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