Santa Fe Creative Tourism and the Inn & Spa at Loretto Debut DIY Santa Fe Art Month in March 2012

Sept. 12, 2011 - PRLog -- Internationally recognized as a premiere art market, Santa Fe packs an artistic punch into its modest 37.4 square miles. City streets burgeon with more than 250 art galleries, over 20 art museums and centers and five art schools. Santa Fe’s thriving and unique art community beckons art lovers worldwide to The City Different, and next year, they will have a new reason to visit. In March 2012, Santa Fe Creative Tourism and the Inn and Spa at Loretto will bring 21 local artists teaching 29 different art forms together to launch DIY Santa Fe, a month-long celebration of do-it-yourself artistic expression. Collectively, artists will offer more than 220 workshops and classes at their homes or studios throughout the month and can also accommodate spring break date requests, when possible. DIY Santa Fe participants can save 20 percent on accommodations at the Inn and enter the DIY Santa Fe giveaway for a chance to win a two-night, art-inspired getaway to Santa Fe in March.

“DIY Santa Fe is a great opportunity for travelers to use the inspiration of Santa Fe’s beautiful natural environment to create a special memory or artwork.  Workshop participants find that Santa Fe’s artists welcome visitors into their studios and are happy to share not only their methods, but tips on subjects such as their favorite restaurants and shops,” said Sabrina Pratt, director of the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission.

Why buy, when you can DIY?
Art, just like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. For many, it’s the story behind the piece, the technique or color scheme and often the artists themselves that bring an art piece to life. DIY Santa Fe sets the stage for everyday artists to experience this intrinsic connection firsthand in one of the most artistic cities in the world. For more than 400 years, art has been a revered form of communication, expression and unification in Santa Fe. Through DIY Santa Fe, artists, both native and relocated, hope to share their passion and craft with others and awaken their inner artist.  

DIY Santa Fe will feature the talents of 21 local artists, including glass artist Jeffrey J. Schmitt; stoneware ceramics artist Theo Helmstadter and hand painting yarn artist Robin Pascal. Participants will have the option to pick from 29 different art forms, ranging from photography, visual journaling and egg painting to glass beadmaking, encaustic painting and belly dancing. Class prices vary by selection and duration, but range from $39 - $550. All class reservations must be booked directly with the artist. For a complete class schedule or to book a class reservation, please visit www.diysantafe.com.

To book a hotel stay and redeem the 20 percent discount, patrons must use promotion code RDIYSF online at www.innatloretto.com or via phone at (866) 582-1646. Guests can join the Inn’s complimentary Legacy Club loyalty program to receive an additional 20 percent savings on dining and spa during their stay.  

“Travel is more than simply boarding a plane to another place, it’s a collage of experiences woven together to create lasting memories,” said Dana Ortega, director of sales and marketing at the Inn and Spa at Loretto. “DIY Santa Fe provides the fabric for guests to weave their own experiences alongside some of Santa Fe’s most talented artists.”

DIY Santa Fe Art Getaway
To commemorate DIY Santa Fe, Santa Fe Creative Tourism and the Inn and Spa at Loretto are giving away a two-night, art-inspired getaway to Santa Fe in March 2012. To enter, contestants can visit DIY Santa Fe to complete the entry form, which asks contestants to summarize in 150-words or less, what the ‘Spirit of Santa Fe’ means to them. A committee of DIY artist judges will read all submissions and select the final winner. The winner will be announced on Feb. 20, 2012 and will receive:

-Two night stay at the Inn and Spa at Loretto
-Dinner for two with the artist in Luminaria
-$100 food and beverage credit
-Two complimentary passes to a DIY Santa Fe artist workshop

To learn more about DIY Santa Fe, book classes or inquire about multi-class pricing, please visit www.diysantafe.com. To book a hotel stay, please visit www.innatloretto.com or call (866) 582-1646.

About Santa Fe Creative Tourism
Santa Fe Creative Tourism is a program of the city of Santa Fe that works with artists and arts businesses to develop and promote workshops that allow visitors to experience Santa Fe’s unique culture in a hands-on fashion. Partnerships and collaborations with the hospitality industry and other entities are welcomed. The program was created as a result of the city of Santa Fe’s 2005 appointment to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and builds upon the successful 2008 International Conference on Creative Tourism held in Santa Fe.

About the Inn and Spa at Loretto
The Inn and Spa at Loretto, an award-winning, AAA Four Diamond hotel, is ideally located in the heart of Santa Fe, steps from the Canyon Road galleries and just one block from historic Santa Fe Plaza's galleries, museums, restaurants and boutiques. Eloquently blending old-world charm with world-class splendor, the exquisite Inn and Spa at Loretto reflects the culture and sophistication of its historic Santa Fe location. The hotel features 134 guestrooms, a full-service spa, casual fine dining, three art galleries and a tranquil garden. Enjoy Luminaria Restaurant and Patio for three meals daily; The Living Room for happy hour, late night dining and live music and The Spa at Loretto for a holistic and complete indulgence experience.

About Destination Hotels & Resorts
The Inn and Spa at Loretto is one of more than 30 independent, upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, which is consistently rated one of the top 10 independent hospitality management companies in the United States. The company has developed a variety of initiatives to better serve its communities, stakeholders and customers including Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program, and the Destination Delivers guest loyalty program, which provides the best available offers to members. Destination is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises.  For more information, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.