Window display created at CB FOX on Central Avenue in downtown Los Alamos by Jan Donelly. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

Window display created at CB FOX on Central Avenue by Jan Donelly. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

The large plate glass windows at CB FOX Department Store triggered a vision for Los Alamos Arts Council Executive Director Marlane Hamilton.

Hamilton said she thought for years the windows would be perfect for a holiday display, similar to the ones featured at department stores in New York City. So when Jan Donelly joined the Los Alamos Arts Council board, “it was the perfect mesh of an idea and the person who could execute it,” Hamilton said.

This is the second year the Los Alamos Arts Council has created a holiday window display at the local department store. The display will be at the store untill Jan. 1.

Donelly said she wanted this year’s display to be dedicated to the children of the town. She asked children to write down what they would like for the holidays that did not fit into a box. The children’s responses were incorporated into the design. Donelly included snow people in the design saying children always wish for snow.

In addition to honoring the town’s younger generation, the display promotes the local arts organization.

“We live in a town that is very scientifically oriented and there needs to be a balance,” Donelly said. “I think the arts give that balance and you need to think of the future generations. There’s nothing more wonderful than a smile on a child’s face when they look at a window and see a snow person smiling back.”

She credits CB FOX for donating the space for the window display. Co-owner Andy Fox said they are very pleased with the results.

“Our customers love it. They love reading the letters to Santa. It really adds to the festiveness of the season,” he said. “We appreciate the Los Alamos Arts Council, Jan and Marlane for organizing it again and hope they do it annually.”

Hamilton said the project is great for the community because not only does it promote the arts organization but also local businesses. In addition, it enhances a stretch of the town’s Creative District.

“It’s a great collaborative effort for lots of different things,” she said.

Just like Fox, the Los Alamos Arts Council hopes to make the window a tradition, Donelly said. Donelly started working on this year’s display in June. She received some assistance from her husband, Michael, as well as fellow Los Alamos Arts Council Board member Debbie Hulling and her husband Jeff.

This year’s display may be completed but Donelly said work has already begun on next year’s window.

“It’s a joy to do it,” she said.