Reflections on 2020 & Renewal in 2021
The arrival of a New Year offers a great opportunity for reflection. How did you navigate the year before? Where is life taking you now? For some, 2020 was a year that taught us how to be resilient, to be courageous, and to persevere. It brought about new hobbies, new ways to communicate with loved ones, and new plans for the future. But for many, planning for the future became impossible, as regular paychecks, customers, and profit were put on hold to wait out the effects of COVID-19. During those uncertain times, Falling Colors sought out an opportunity to aid the community and bolster local businesses. The Falling Colors Foundation's COVID-19 Small Business Bridge Fund donated $200,000 to support the small businesses of Santa Fe, and the community that we love.
The local Santa Fe economy consists largely of art galleries, shops, and displays that rely on in-person viewings, and these businesses were among the hardest hit by the shutdowns we faced this year. Michael Lancaster and Barbara Harnack of Calliope, an artists' collaborative and gallery, were overjoyed to receive a gift from the Falling Colors Foundation’s COVID-19 Small Business Bridge Fund. It provided them an opportunity to continue to support their artists, their community, and to create and promote art in New Mexico, including developing their own film. Lancaster and Harnack expressed their thanks stating, "We thank you, from the bottoms of our hearts, for reaching out to the community and having the vision to help when help was really needed. Keep up the great work."
Here’s an example of the contents of a Kindred Sol subscription box!
Artist, photographer, and visual storyteller Leah Siegel of Shadowlands Design was another recipient of the COVID-19 Small Business Bridge Fund. Based out of Santa Fe, Siegel was also affected by the pandemic and worried about what the future held for her self-run business. Her story was not unlike many others. It is with these small businesses that much of the spirit and soul of Santa Fe resides. Siegel expressed her gratitude for the Falling Colors Foundation's generosity stating, "Receiving the funding from you means so much. It acknowledges the difficulties so many of us are experiencing during this COVID-19 time and encourages me to stay facing the future... As I re-frame my business and my art from shifted perspectives, this assistance will be most helpful."
"THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I am bursting with gratitude and appreciation for your generosity!" said Jessie Baca, a local wedding planner who faced uncertainty in a socially-distanced world. Many people had to postpone weddings, engagements, baby showers, and more to avoid endangering the health and safety of their loved ones with large gatherings. The COVID-19 Small Business Bridge Fund provided Baca some financial security until there was a better understanding of how people could interact in a physical space. Proving to be resilient, Baca has taken a new venture in creating her own subscription box service named Kindred Sol.
Lancaster, Harnack, Siegel, and Baca are only a few of the recipients of this funding. The COVID-19 Small Business Bridge Fund was available to small, for-profit businesses making $100,000 or less in gross annual sales, located within Santa Fe County. Around 200 local businesses were gifted monthly grants, consisting of amounts of $300 each for a total of $900 to keep their doors open.
"Thank you so much. You are a bright light in dark times that is for sure." - Alex Hanna, Owner/Designer/Creative Director of Invisible City Designs.
"I am so grateful for this grant, and for Falling Colors’ generosity. This money will go directly toward my business overhead and will help me keep my local small business alive during this difficult time. It will also give me much-needed breathing room to feel creative again." - Jesse Freidin, America's Leading Fine Art Dog Photographer. Check out his photography here.
"I am over the moon with gratitude and excitement. These past few weeks have been terrifying with zero income… At last, I can see a tiny light at the end of this dark and lonely tunnel." - Camille Pappé, Natural Nails.
The Falling Colors Foundation is committed to bettering the Santa Fe community and New Mexico state-wide. The pandemic hit hard across the nation, and artist communities like Santa Fe felt the immense impact of the quarantine. While the world was shifting, many were wondering what it would take to keep their heads above water. What would Santa Fe be without the presence of its local life and art? This fund was created to help our community persevere and continue creating art in a time where the importance of expression is greater than ever.
“I think this is so thoughtful of you to support your local community through your Bridge Fund. I feel incredibly touched to be a recipient of such generosity at this challenging time.” - Naraya Stein, Holistic Life Coach at Journey Mapping.
“I want to express to you my deepest gratitude to your organization for helping support my business during a very challenging time. Receiving your monetary support meant a lot to me and I really appreciate how your organization is helping our community.” - Joyce Roetter, Sacred Bee Apitherapy, LLC.
Sacred Bee Sanctuary - Santa Fe, NM
In this New Year, we will continue to find new ways to contribute to bettering the lives of the people of New Mexico. With the arrival of effective vaccines and the continued use of masks and social distancing, we are confident our community will emerge from this period of challenge stronger, more resilient, and more courageous than we have ever been. As we reflect on the impacts we were able to make in 2020, we are motivated to recommit to the values that guided our actions last year. We are grateful for our community, and we share with you all in hope for the promise of this New Year, as we look forward to finding more ways to stand with Santa Fe throughout 2021.