Canyon Road Arts

Studio tours in Northern New Mexico

Meet the artists and see the sights of Northern New Mexico

Maynard Dixon (1875-1946) Chong Luis Ranch, Reeler, CA
Maynard Dixon (1875-1946) Chong Luis Ranch, Reeler, CA
c. 1919, oil on board, 10″ x 14″

To those of us who have no talent for art, a truly skilled artist or craftsperson is a mysterious and exotic wonder.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to meet these elusive creatures in the galleries.

New Mexico’s studio tours, however, provide the perfect opportunity to see artists in their natural habitats.

The tours range in size from a dozen or so artists clustered in a single village to extravaganzas of 100 or more participants spread over several towns.

Veryl Goodnight Horseplay
Veryl Goodnight, Horseplay,
Bronze. edition of 30, 18″ x 22″ x 8″

Each tour presents a wide variety of media from painting, sculpture and photography to woodworking, jewelry, ceramics and fiber art in all styles from traditional to cutting edge.

Participating artists vary in their level of experience and skill, so the quality is admittedly uneven.

Nevertheless we have consistently been impressed with the quantity of excellent work from artists we hadn’t previously encountered.

You’ll be sure to find some hidden gems.

Edith Hamlin (1902-1992) Rancho Viejo, Tucson, Arizona
Edith Hamlin (1902-1992) Rancho Viejo, Tucson, Arizona
c. 1941, oil on canvas board, 12″ x 16″

Surprise artistic discoveries and lively conversation with the artists are the tours’ main draw, of course.

But in our many studio tour excursions, we’ve found that they offer a wonderful bonus: the opportunity to explore neighborhoods, villages, and stretches of countryside that otherwise we might never have found.

The tours are a great way to make your acquaintance with New Mexico that is much more intimate.

Maynard Dixon (1875-1946) Randsburg, CA
Maynard Dixon (1875-1946) Randsburg, CA, May 1940
Oil on canvas board, 12″ x 16″

Before you go, check the tour website in order to print the studio map and review the types of art offered.

Most tours have far more studios than can be visited in one day, so you may want to plan your stops.

Also check the availability of restaurants or food booths, as many tours are in small towns with few services.

Now, get out and enjoy New Mexico art set in our beautiful New Mexico landscape.

List of tours

Josh Elliott Outside Abiquiu Oil on Panel 10 x 12
Josh Elliott, Outside Abiquiu,
Oil on panel, 10″ x 12″

Las Vegas Studio Tour

Las Vegas, NM, 505.425.1085
(80 minutes northeast of Santa Fe via I-25)
www.lasvegasartscouncil.org

Pedernal Arts Tour

Abiquiu to Coyote, NM
(One hour northwest of Santa Fe via US 84)
575.638.5012
www.pedernalheritage.org

Santa Fe Studio Tour

Santa Fe, NM
505.695.1244
www.santafestudiotour.com

Pilar Studio Tour

Pilar, NM, 575.758.0135
(one our north of Santa Fe via US84/285 and NM 68)
www.pilarstudiotour.org

High Road Art Tour

Chimayo to Penasco, NM, 866.343.5381
(One hour northeast of Santa Fe via US 84/285 and NM 76)
www.highroadnewmexico.com

Pecos Valley Artisans Studio Tour

Glorieta, Pecos, and Rowe, NM
(30 minutes southeast of Santa Fe via I-25 N)
505.757.6851
www.pecosstudiotour.com

El Rito Studio Tour

El Rito, NM
(50 minutes northwest of Santa Fe via US 84)
575.581.4430
www.elritosartassociation.org

Galisteo Studio Tour

Galisteo, NM
(40 minutes southeast of Santa Fe via I-25, US 285 and NM 41)
505.466.2118
www.galisteostudiotour.org

Abiquiu Studio Tour

Abiquiu, NM
(One hour northwest of Santa Fe via US 84)
505.685.4454
www.abiquiustudiotour.org

Dixon Studio Tour

Dixon, NM
(45 minutes north of Santa Fe via US84/285 and NM 68)
www.dixonarts.org

Santa Fe Studio Tour

Santa Fe, NM
505.983.6021
www.santafestudiotour.com

Los Alamos Studio Tour

Los Alamos and White Rock, NM
(30 minutes north of Santa Fe via US84/285 and NM 502)
505.662.9331
www.artfulnm.org/LAST.html

Corrales Art Studio Tour

Corrales, NM, 505.899.3430
(50 minutes southwest of Santa Fe via I-25)
www.corralesartstudiotour.com

Placitas Studio Tour

Placitas, NM, 505.771.1006
(45 minutes southwest of Santa Fe via I-25)
www.placitasstudiotour.com

Eldorado Art Tour

Eldorado subdivision
(20 minutes southeast of Santa Fe via I-25 north and US 285)
www.eldoradoarts.org

This article was excerpted from Canyon Road Arts: The Complete Visitors Guide to Arts, Dining and Santa Fe Lifestyle, Vol 5, 2009-2010, pages 74-77. Canyon Road Arts is published by Medicine Man Gallery. All rights reserved.
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