Qwest Foundation Donates $49,000 to Spanish Colonial Arts Society for Education Programs

Qwest Foundation Named Presenting Sponsor of 57th Annual Spanish
Market
SANTA FE, N.M.--(Business Wire)--
The Qwest Foundation today announced a $49,000 grant to the Museum
of Spanish Colonial Art to support education outreach programs that
serve New Mexico students. The Qwest Foundation will be recognized as
presenting sponsor of the 57th annual Traditional Spanish Market, held
on the downtown Plaza in Santa Fe, July 26-27.

The Spanish Colonial Arts Society provides youth educational
outreach programs in public schools and art centers throughout New
Mexico, particularly in underserved areas. These classes teach the
traditional Spanish Colonial arts to more than 7,000 students each
year, and are conducted by the artists affiliated with the Spanish
Market.

"Our students are the future of New Mexico," said Loretta Armenta,
Qwest New Mexico president and a native of Santa Fe. "I'm proud that
the Qwest Foundation is able to contribute to their success, and the
success of the Spanish Market, a true gem of Santa Fe."

"We are pleased to partner with the Qwest Foundation for the third
consecutive year as the sponsor of our education outreach programs,
and our presenting sponsor of Spanish Market," said Bud Redding,
director of the Spanish Market. "Qwest's generous commitment
of support furthers our mission to celebrate the Spanish colonial
artistic traditions of New Mexico and their continuing evolution."

The Spanish Market is the oldest and largest exhibition and sale
of traditional Spanish colonial art in the United States. The Qwest
Foundation, named presenting sponsor of this year's event, has donated
$147,000 in the past three years to support the event. Today, after
two decades of market growth and change, the once-intimate Spanish
Market has become the largest exhibition of traditional Hispanic arts
in the United States.

More than 250 native New Mexican artists - many of them nationally
recognized - exhibit and sell their handmade artwork at the Spanish
Market, an event that attracts the local community, tourists and
serious art collectors from around the world. In addition to adult
artists, a special youth exhibition area features the artwork of some
100 children, ages 6 to 17, who are developing skills passed down
through the generations. Admission is free to the public.

About Qwest Foundation

The Qwest Foundation's core principle is that investing in people
and communities provides lasting value for the future. The Qwest
Foundation awards grants to community-based programs that generate
high-impact and measurable results, focusing on pre-K through grade 12
education.

About the Spanish Colonial Arts Society

In 1965 the Spanish Colonial Arts Society revived Spanish Market,
which it originally had sponsored from 1926 until the mid-1930's. Held
in conjunction with the annual Indian Market on the Santa Fe Plaza, it
renewed the society's commitment to support the artistic growth of
Hispanic artists native to New Mexico and southern Colorado and
working in traditional art forms.

Qwest Communications International Inc.
Gary Younger, 801-237-6902
gary.younger@qwest.com
or
Spanish Colonial Arts Society
Bud Redding, 505-982-2226
bud@spanishcolonial.org

Copyright Business Wire 2008