Espanola, New Mexico The Jewel of Northern New Mexico. Espanola was founded in 1598 by Spain as the first capitol of New Mexico. It sits in the northern Rio Grande Valley between the Jemez Mountains and Truchas Peaks, and is a very convenient base for exploring northern New Mexico.  Espanola has many lodging options and the best selection of restaurants. Don't miss the world-class local artists.  Let us be your tour guide through the Beautiful Espanola Valley.


   
21st annual EL RITO STUDIO TOUR
October 20 & 21, 2007
10 am – 6 pm
21 stops, including 3 venues on the New Mexico Fiber Arts Trails, will display work of over 50 artists and craftspeople in the settings in which it was created. These locations will show both traditional and contemporary media including sculpture, pottery and basketry; weaving and welding; tin and iron work; painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and collage; jewelry, handmade books and note cards.


In keeping with its mission, this year’s event has expanded into a Village Arts Festival.
The El Rito Elementary School will house the Community Artists Mercado. Items on sale in 19 booths range from retablos and rosaries to hand painted tiles and essential oils. The El Rito Library will host its scrumptious “Death by Chocolate” fundraiser as well as a mural painting project. Proceeds from the tour fund the library’s Summer Arts Program. The Fiber Arts and Spanish Colonial Furniture departments of Northern New Mexico College will open their doors for visitation. And for the first time, the award-winning El Rito Fire Department will have tours, demonstrations and refreshments.


Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes to enjoy a stroll in the crisp fall weather and work up an appetite. Martin’s General Store will be open from 8-6 on Saturday. Its third-generation owner, Greg Martin, will be roasting chickens and ribs. Carmen and Dennis Trujillo will be cooking their famous chili, enchiladas, burritos, tamales, rellenos and frito pies from 11-8 on Saturday and Sunday at El Farolito. At Walter’s Place, Rick Woody will be serving country café and deli fare both days.


For information call 685-0682 and/or go to www.elritostudiotour.org.


Additional photographic material is available at http://elritostudiotour.org/press/


The El Rito Studio Tour is fiscally sponsored by Luciente, Inc., and partially funded by the Rio Arriba Country Lodgers Tax.