About

It all started in 1985

when a group of El Rito artists met informally to discuss the possibility of holding a studio tour in El Rito. The annual event began in 1986 and has continued until the present day. 

In the fall of 2016, a board of directors was formalized and the El Rito Art Association (ERAA) was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation. Since then, the ERAA has promoted the arts in and around the village of El Rito by sponsoring the Arts Festival including the El Rito Studio Tour and Community Artist Mercado.

Additionally, ERAA is working on various activities including a few annual art shows/exhibits, community art projects, workshops, and events to help maintain a vibrant art presence in the region and ensure El Rito continues to be known as an art community.