Welcome to Northern New Mexico College’s El Rito Heritage Retreat Center. . . . An Oasis of Creativity.
Historical. . . Cultural. . . Unique. . . .
This is what students will discover about Northern's El Rito campus. Located at the foothills of the Carson National Forest and surrounded by multi-colored mesas and breathtaking Southwest scenery, the campus is 30 minutes from Española and an hour north of Santa Fe.
Only at the El Rito campus, founded in 1909, are short-term courses in Spanish Colonial Woodworking, Rio Grande Weaving, Adobe Construction & Spanish Language Immersion available within one setting. Students can anticipate working with, and learning from, a handful of the Southwest's premier artists and instructors on an individual basis and in small classes. Under the guidance of these master artists and teachers, students can expect to learn fundamental carving techniques in Spanish Colonial Furniture Making, explore an infinite number of dyeing processes, colors and designs for Rio Grande Weavings, build adobe hornos and walls, and use natural pigments to highlight 2-D retablos and three-dimensional bultos - art forms which have origins dating back to the colonial period (16th/17th century) in southwest history.
Committed to maintaining the rich cultural heritage and arts legacy of the region, the El Rito campus expanded its mission and course offerings in 2005. The El Rito Heritage Retreat Center also offers 2-day to 1-week classes in tinsmithing, traditional woodcarving, micaceous clay, acequia ecology and permaculture, folk music/guitar, rag rug weaving, retablo making, and bulto making.
Journey with us and discover an unforgettable world - rich in culture, language and century-old traditions found only in Northern New Mexico.
Northern’s El Rito Heritage Retreat Center is located approximately 12 miles off of Highway 84/285 (Turn off on highway 554).
For information about the Heritage Retreat Center call 505-581-4100.
Current class schedules are posted on this site and on the College’s main site:
Registration and admission information can be found on Northern’s Admissions page.
Prior to enrolling in classes, interested applicants will need to complete Northern's admission application which is available online as well as a registration form. Please send or fax the completed information to:
Carlos Martinez
Director of El Rito Campus
N.N.M.C. Heritage Retreat Center
PO Box 160
El Rito, NM 87530 Fax: 505-581-9156