This is the third year Evelyn and I have hosted and coordinated our local 4th grade elementary children’s window art on the Grants and Milan “main-street” business windows. This event has warmed hearts and brightened windows with holiday spirits. Last year’s third graders from the Mt. Taylor, Bluewater, San Rafael, Milan, and Mesa View Elementary Schools looked forward to being this year’s artists along with a field trip and lunch from local restaurants, only to be told they will be doing virtual schooling from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And the painting event will not happen. They were all very saddened and I understand fully. Thinking ahead during soliciting business owners to use their windows, I asked each owner if the children can do art at home. And we would tape it on windows if the children cannot do it. That would be Plan B.
They all agreed: “Yes…yes…yes… let’s do it!”
We let the teachers know and they in turn notified their students. Their mood immediately brightened, and the newly excited artists immediately began putting their holiday greetings and visions onto 8- 1/2-inch by 11-inch or so paper along with handcrafted light strings and cut-outs of Christmas greetings. It brought immediate smiles to the children. Thanks to the immensely helpful teachers from our five local elementary schools, it looked like both town’s “main street” business windows would be covered with holiday cheer.
There are Santa’s, reindeer, drummer boys, Gingerbread men, princesses, aliens with greetings, and pictures from happy imaginations for the season. It is wonderful!
We opted to have the deadline for submitting all artwork the week after Thanksgiving so the children could use that holiday to occupy some of their time at home.
We had all the art turned in by midweek after Thanksgiving and to our dismay and through no fault of anyone during this trying time we fell short of the needed art to fill all the committed windows, so we decided to make copies of the beautiful, handcrafted art. Thanks for Plan B!
The towns’ windows look great; and Evelyn and I comment to each other and smile when going about and looking at the art. Again, the proceeds will help continue our Grants MainStreet program as well help fund local charities to feed needy children in our Cibola County.
B is for beautiful children!
B is for beautiful artwork!
B is for a couple blessed with small towns and…
Children’s Annual Main Street Christmas Window Art…Plan B!