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The Doña Ana Arts Council’s 49th annual (but virtual) Renaissance ArtsFaire won’t be quite the same as wandering Young Park on a bright November morning, a barbeque turkey leg in one hand and a Renaissance ArtsFaire program in the other, but the online marketplace and auction will give visitors a taste of past events and something to look forward to in November 2021 for the 50th anniversary event.
“We are thrilled to have some of our Renaissance ArtsFaire vendors working with us so that we can present a marketplace this year online,” said DAAC Executive Director Greg Smith. “It opened for business Oct. 15, so, we hope people will check it out. We also encourage people to keep checking back, because we anticipate other vendors will be joining those who will be there the first day.”
The marketplace includes names, photos of products and links to artisans’ e-commerce sites. It will remain on the DAAC website through the end of 2020. Also, DAAC will have RenFaire commemorative items for sale, including tee shirts, masks, license plates, handmade mugs and buttons.
The marketplace and merchandise can be viewed at https://daarts.org/renaissance-artsfaire/.
Also this year, many RenFaire vendors and local artists have donated more than 100 fine-art items that will be part of an online auction through Mesilla Valley Estate Sales. Shoppers will find paintings, photographs, sculpture and jewelry donated by local artists such as Carolyn Bunch, Wayne Suggs, Patricia Black and Theresa Montoya Basaldua.
The auction also includes collectible items, local art tours and drivable art on wheels, a 2012 Toyota Prius, DAAC’s first in the “Baby, You Can Drive My Art!” series.
An auction preview is at www.nmestateauctions.com. Bidding starts Sunday, Nov. 1, with the auction closing Saturday, Nov. 7.
“Please keep your eyes open to art and plan to join DAAC for a very different Renaissance ArtsFaire in 2020,” Smith said.
DAAC is a nonprofit founded in 1971 dedicated to creating a community where the arts thrive for everyone. In addition to art festivals, it offers arts education for children and workshops and seminars for adults, while operating an art gallery featuring local artists. RenFaire is DAAC’s major annual fundraiser.
DAAC offices and the DAAC Arts & Cultural Center are at 250 W. Amador Ave.
Call 575-523-6403.
Queen Cherrie (Sherry White), the Renaissance ArtsFaire’s queen of the realm for more than three decades, will be the first celebrity participating in the 49th annual (but virtual) RenFaire, when she introduces a 60-minute entertainment video that will loop three times, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 on Facebook and YouTube. Chris Mitchell and Randy Granger will be the masters of ceremony for the video, which is being produced by David Salcido.
“As the fall leaves turn their glorious colors, it is again time to return to the Las Cruces Renaissance Faire,” said Queen Cherrie. “As your queen, I bestow greetings to one and all. Yea, this year of our Lord two thousand twenty has brought a plague of vast proportions to our tranquil realm. Through the magic of the alchemist, this year we will be having something called a ‘virtual faire.’ I am told that it is a most marvelous apparition.
“I have reigned for more than 30 good years and have traversed the hills and vales of yonder Young Park with many a fine king in this great time. I remember fondly the many archery workshops, royal feasts, fashion shows and all the good folk who have entertained us so very well, with mirth and merriment. I would pay homage to some of those entertainment folk: Renaissance Craft Faire Singers, Las Cruces Recorder Society, Jewels of the Desert, New World Drummers and many, many more. We have always, through rain, storm, hail and dark of day, provided vendors of goods without equal. We will again return to the Realm on the year hence and again make merry in the glades of Young Park. This will be a glorious celebration of the 50 years of the faire. With joyful hearts, we wish all in our shire well. Adieu”
