Does this annual event bring the most people out in Questa? Maybe. Our tenth anniversary art tour last summer saw over 800 individual art lovers out and about in our village. They enjoyed the sheer volume of talent hiding here, and discovered local gems such as the restored San Antonio de Padua church, an exhibition stop full of local art and craftsmanship (with expert historian, Flavio Cisneros, offering insights!).
Our tour route is known for its unspoiled landscape that many from as close as Taos or Red River have yet to discover. Now, in our eleventh year we can proudly say that our local creatives have helped raise the profile of our village, and helped instill a reputation for beauty, both on the canvas and in our surrounding public lands.
This year, the tour begins with a new pop-up gallery at the Lama Community Center just 3.5 miles south of town, so slow down at the top of Garrapata hill and be ready for some fabulous artistry. Western landscape painter Ken Geisen and multi-media artist Monique Belitz, plus guest Alma Quilian from Hondo make for a high-quality welcome at this stop #1 on the map! Stop #2 finds Evelyn Coggins at her studio just as one enters Questa, always a popular site. It is full of reimagined furniture, with unique jewelry also on offer.
New this year, Questa businesses are on the map presenting the talents of their staff, family and friends. The turn up Hillside drive finds more expert craftsmanship by the Ortega/Cisneros family. A turn east, nestled at the edge of the Carson National Forest, are the studios of well-known painter Peggy Trigg and potter Mike Ridder, plus guest artists for the weekend.
Visitors arriving from the north can start their day at our ‘bonus’ studios near the state line. Award-winning painter, Karen Ahlgren, will open her studio at its repurposed old church in Garcia. On the way, you’ll pass art-tour signage leading to the studio of painter Steve Gomez, a favorite from last summer.
And, between all these are more studios, and more pop-up galleries. All of this within the stunning views of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument and the National Forest.
A new highlight will be the Cerro VFW, one turn west off highway 522. Eleven artists will show here, including tour favorites, some new faces, and some talented artist vets not to be missed. Surprise food offerings may be on site, and the Communities de Questa Mariachis plan to stop by! Tour visitors really must continue down this road to find the studio of Cerro painter Mary Jo Kelly, featured in our advertising.
As usual, the neighborhood of El Rito, north of Questa bursts with strong and varied artistry. New for 2026 is the studio of ceramicist Carole Merriman. This is also where you can find the beloved Mose from the now-closed Furniture Barn, plus other guest artists. Our beloved previous co-owners of the now-closed Art Questa, Sandra and Roger Harrington, will be hosted at the impressive studio of fused-glass artist Barrie Andrews.
We hope to see all you art-loving locals, visitors, and day-trippers come out for this fabulous Questa event! Find more information at QuestaCreative.org, phone (575) 586-5658 or email arttour@questacreative.org. Tour map-brochures will be widely available, at every tour stop, plus the Questa Visitor Center in the middle of the village.
