A Festive Blend of Art and Holiday Spirit: Local Artists Shine at Santa’s Christmas Fair

EL CENTRO- This past Saturday, December 21st, Unwind and Design’s Creative Studio in El Centro collaborated with artist Sheryl Nash as well as other local artists to host Santa’s Christmas Fair, which featured Sheryl Nash’s art gallery “Outside the Rainbow Room.

 Over ten local artists were in attendance at the Christmas fair, executing and selling their unique artwork to the public. The art ranged from jewelry, paintings, rugs, handmade clothing, quilts, to so much more.  

Hour Photo, a local photography business, volunteered to take free photos and provide free face painting for the community as well. They also provided a Santa Claus, whose suit was created by multiple artists present at the event.

“I’m retired so I have plenty of time to do what I love, which is my art. I have painted, crocheted, embroidered and worked on whatever I can get my hands on my entire life. I can’t seem to stop creating things,” said Sheryl Nash.

Sheryl worked directly with Kimberly Alfaro Massey, owner of Unwind and Design Creative Studio, to plan and execute Saturday’s event.

“I talked Kimberly into this event because there are so many artists and artisans locally that don’t get any attention because we don’t have a common space and place,” said Sheryl. 

“I’m a huge advocate for things like little art fairs because it’s a time where we can get together, enjoy each other's company, learn from each other and sell a few things while we’re at it,” said Sheryl.  

“Sheryl likes to collaborate with a lot of artists and have them mingle and she’s really into having them cooperate with each other. She wanted to invite a lot of her friends and artists that we knew so that this could be an art market,” said Kimberly Alfaro Massey.

“She wanted to expose a lot of people to her art so we figured if we had other vendors not only could she have sales for herself but we could assist the artists in our community as well by creating an opportunity for them,” said Massey.  

Dominique Cardenas, owner of Tiny House Rescue and a local artist, sold handmade jewelry at Saturday’s event.

 “We’re doing a fundraiser for our one-eyed cat, Pirate, who’s a foster that I rescued last year. His hip is broken and it’s going to cost a bit to get it fixed, so we just made some earrings to sell to raise money for his surgery,” said Dominique.

Dominique is using her talent as an artist to help local stray cats in the Imperial Valley. Her ultimate goal with Tiny House Rescue is to turn it into a nonprofit that provides a trap, neuter and rescue program.

Amelia Gerber and Jacki Alsip are close friends with Sheryl Nash, who often work one on one with her as artists.

“We are part of the Desert Quilters of the Imperial Valley Club and Sheryl asked if we would love to bring some of our things to sell today. I make a lot of necklaces, quilts and hats and some of these items are made in our club’s workshops,” said Gerber.

“We over make and our shelves are so full so we try and sell our older babies. We make them, we enjoy them, and then we part with them,” said Alsip.  

Robert Urrutia is a local artist that has been painting for over a decade, and he showcased his cartoon-style artwork at the event that was also for sale.

“I originally wanted to become a game designer, but it involved too much computer stuff so I switched over to animation and that’s when I got into painting and it’s been a hobby for me ever since,” said Urrutia.

“It feels good to be here at today’s event with all the other artists. It’s a wonderful space to hangout and paint for all ages,” said Urrutia.

Fernando Haro, fire performer and owner of Tufts and Fire, presented and sold his handmade rugs to the public on Saturday.

“Sheryl is my neighbor and she pushed me to join the mid-winter fair last year and I won first place with my rugs. She’s been pushing a lot of artists in the valley to come to more events. I’m very happy to have come today, especially because it is my first pop up event as an artist,” said Haro.

Sheryl plans to host quarterly events at the Unwind and Design Creative Studio in the near future in hopes to help more local artists gain exposure.

“There should be a celebration every week for art because creativity keeps you young, it teaches you, makes you feel, gives you joy and I just love doing it,” said Sheryl Nash.