Celebrating Eldorado Artists in the Heart of New Mexico’s Creative Landscape
The Eldorado Arts and Crafts Association announces the 34th Annual Eldorado Studio Tour™, taking place September 19–20, 2026. A beloved New Mexico tradition, this not-to-miss event invites the public to visit local artists in their studios and experience an exceptional range of original art and fine craft throughout the Eldorado community.
Meet the 2026 Studio Tour Artists
The 2026 Studio Tour Artist Page is now live! Browse the talented artists participating in this year's Studio Tour and start planning your must-see stops. Be sure to click on each artist's photo to explore their individual page, where you'll find additional artwork, and more. It's the perfect way to get acquainted with the artists before the tour begins!
New to the Studio Tour?
Curious about how the Eldorado Studio Tour works? Our new "What Is the Studio Tour?" page is your guide to everything you need to know—from planning your route and visiting studios to exploring the Preview Gallery and making the most of your weekend. Start here and get ready for an unforgettable art experience!
Preview the Possibilities!
Be the first to experience the 34th Annual Eldorado Studio Tour™ at the Preview Gallery Opening Reception on Friday, September 18, from 5:00–7:00 PM at the Eldorado Community Center. Meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and preview one featured piece from each participating artist before the tour begins. It's the perfect way to discover plan your Studio Tour weekend, and celebrate the creativity of our community.
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FEATURED ARTIST
Nicole Merkens
Where Spirit, Symbol, and Sculpture Meet
There is something unmistakably mystical about Nicole Merkens' work. Her sculptures seem less like objects and more like sacred relics—guardians from another realm carrying stories that have existed long before words. Rabbits, spirit animals, celestial symbols, and intricate patterns emerge from hand-built clay, inviting viewers into a world where intuition, transformation, and the unseen are just as tangible as the earth beneath our feet.
Based in Santa Fe, Nicole is a figurative sculptor whose work explores the intersection of spirituality, mythology, and personal transformation. Since the late 1990s, rabbits have appeared again and again throughout her art—not simply as animals, but as ancient symbols of rebirth, intuition, and the mysterious spaces between worlds. Born on Easter, Nicole sees the rabbit as a messenger, a guide, and a guardian whose presence continues to shape her creative journey.
Nicole's artistic path began in graphic design, where she spent more than two decades building a successful design and web business. That background is still evident today in the richly detailed surface patterns and symbolic motifs that cover her sculptures. Every mark feels intentional, blending ancient visual languages with contemporary craftsmanship to create pieces that are both timeless and deeply personal.
After earning her BFA in Book Arts and Printmaking from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Nicole eventually discovered clay as the perfect medium for expressing the ideas that had long been taking shape within her. Today, she hand-builds each sculpture, often incorporating metals, found objects, and mixed-media elements to create work that feels equal parts archaeological artifact and spiritual talisman.
Her artistic vision extends well beyond sculpture. Nicole is currently developing original Oracle and Tarot decks inspired by archetypal symbolism and metaphysical wisdom, while also licensing her imagery for prints and products that bring her artwork into everyday life. She also shares her knowledge through mixed-media workshops and exhibits nationally and internationally.
Before relocating to New Mexico, Nicole co-founded Cowgirl Studios, a thriving gallery and creative community in Roswell, Georgia, where artists gathered for exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs. Today she continues that spirit of community as Chief Social Media Officer and Creator for the Eldorado Arts & Crafts Association, helping tell the stories of fellow artists while actively exhibiting her own work throughout New Mexico, Georgia, and Florida.
At the heart of Nicole's work is a deeply personal belief that creativity is a conversation with something greater than ourselves. Her artist statement speaks of spiritual guardians, dreams, higher consciousness, and the invisible forces that shape our lives. Rather than illustrating those ideas directly, her sculptures become vessels for them—inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and perhaps recognize something of their own inner journey.
Whether you're drawn to mythology, symbolism, ceramics, or simply beautifully crafted artwork, Nicole Merkens offers an unforgettable experience. Her work reminds us that art can be more than decoration—it can be a doorway to curiosity, wonder, and connection.
Visit Nicole Merkens during the 34th Annual Eldorado Studio Tour and experience these captivating sculptures in person at Studio #36