Vendor Events in Chimayo, NM

Every September, artists and art lovers converge on the scenic High Road to Taos for a studio tour that transforms the mountain communities of northern New Mexico into an open-air gallery. The High Road Art Tour is a two-weekend event that invites visitors to step directly into the working studios of established and emerging artists, experiencing their crafts in the spaces where they create. This approach to art discovery feels fundamentally different from a typical art fair or festival held in a single location. Instead of booths in a conventional venue, the tour guides attendees through the historic villages of Nambe, Chimayo, Truchas, Penasco, Dixon, and Sipapu, each community with its own artistic heritage and character. The artists who participate in the High Road Art Tour specialize in the region's distinctive traditions alongside contemporary work. You'll find weavers working traditional looms, tinsmitths handcrafting retablos and other metalwork, jewelers designing with local inspiration, and woodcarvers producing everything from santos to sculptural pieces. Painters, potters, and artisans working in Spanish Colonial traditions also open their doors during the tour. With more than 40 artist stops spread across the region, there's significant variety in style, medium, and price point, making it accessible whether you're a serious collector or a casual browser discovering what resonates with you. The High Road itself is part of the appeal. This route through the Sangre de Cristo foothills is known for its landscape, traditional villages, and deep artistic community. September weather in the mountains is typically pleasant for walking and exploring, with cooler temperatures than lower elevations. The two-weekend format gives visitors flexibility to attend at their own pace, discovering studios at leisure rather than racing through a single-day event. For vendors, participating in the High Road Art Tour means reaching an audience actively seeking handmade art and willing to travel specifically for authentic studio experiences and direct artist connection.