The aspens are golden, the days are crisp and clear and it’s autumn in Santa Fe, the perfect season for the famous fall Artist Studio Tours, held in historic, scenic villages surrounding Santa Fe.
Drive out early on a cool autumn morning to northern New Mexico’s nearby villages where gifted artists live and work, often using traditional techniques passed through their family for generations. Pick up a map and spend the day touring the studios of painters, sculptors, photographers, weavers and other artists who create exceptional traditional and contemporary works. Warm up along the way with posole, green chile stew and other northern New Mexico treats served in studios, galleries and other stops on the tour.
These Artist Studio Tours offer a unique opportunity to meet and buy work directly from northern New Mexico’s celebrated artists. You’ll find fantastic, one-of-a-kind treasures for everyone on your holiday shopping list. And don’t forget to buy a few wonderful works of art for yourself.
Artist Studio Tours Schedule
Drive out early on a cool autumn morning to northern New Mexico’s nearby villages where gifted artists live and work, often using traditional techniques passed through their family for generations. Pick up a map and spend the day touring the studios of painters, sculptors, photographers, weavers and other artists who create exceptional traditional and contemporary works. Warm up along the way with posole, green chile stew and other northern New Mexico treats served in studios, galleries and other stops on the tour.
These Artist Studio Tours offer a unique opportunity to meet and buy work directly from northern New Mexico’s celebrated artists. You’ll find fantastic, one-of-a-kind treasures for everyone on your holiday shopping list. And don’t forget to buy a few wonderful works of art for yourself.
Artist Studio Tours Schedule
22nd Annual Galisteo Studio Tour
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18
Walk among ancient cottonwoods in the historic village of Galisteo as you visit artist studios filled with beautiful paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, weaving and more.
Galisteo, 25 miles south of Santa Fe off Highway 285
(505) 466-2118
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8
Stroll through orchards and down country lanes to artist studios full of pottery, paintings, sculpture and other traditional and contemporary fine art and crafts during the Dixon studio tour. More than 50 artist studios and local businesses take part in this popular tour in the beautiful Embudo Valley.
Dixon, about 45 minutes north of Santa Fe on Highway 75, just east of Highway 68
36th Annual La Cienega Studio Tour
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29
This annual studio tour, held on Thanksgiving Weekend, features 24 artists creating traditional and contemporary sculpture, prints, fiber art, furniture and traditional Hispanic arts including tinwork and weaving.
La Cienega, about 10 miles southwest of Santa Fe off I-25
In addition, the annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festivals presents two festivals this fall in Albuquerque featuring juried work by acclaimed artists and craftspeople from around the country. You’ll find paintings, pottery, jewelry, woodworking, clothing and more. Here’s the schedule for these festivals:
The Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festivals’ 21st Annual Balloon Fiesta
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, October 9 and Sunday, October 11; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, October 10
It all takes place under the Big Tent at the intersection of I-25 and Paseo del Norte in Albuquerque.
The Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festivals’ 10th Annual Holiday Show
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, November 29
In the Manuel Lujan Exhibit Building at the Expo New Mexico Fairgrounds on San Pedro Boulevard.
The Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festivals’ 21st Annual Balloon Fiesta
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, October 9 and Sunday, October 11; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, October 10
It all takes place under the Big Tent at the intersection of I-25 and Paseo del Norte in Albuquerque.
The Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festivals’ 10th Annual Holiday Show
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, November 29
In the Manuel Lujan Exhibit Building at the Expo New Mexico Fairgrounds on San Pedro Boulevard.
Find everything you need to plan your studio tour at SantaFe.org
Source: Santa Fe CVB
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".