Experience Something Unique!
Our Facility
Our home base in Aztec, New Mexico features a 1000 square foot gallery space for rotating exhibitions and a 1200 square foot working letterpress studio. This “living museum” houses of thousands of historic hand-carved wooden letters, a variety of cast metal fonts, four antique printing presses, and bindery equipment all used for classes and projects by our staff, community members, and resident artists.
Tours
Self-guided tours of our studio are available during regular business hours. The reception desk provides a brochure outlining the history, mission, and points of interest at Desert Trail Press. You can also view the guide online. Please contact us to arrange a guided or group tour.
Exhibitions
Current Exhibition
Desert Trail Retrospective
Desert Trail Retrospective is a dynamic look back at our first two years in operation. Included are community and resident artist projects as well as artwork by our staff. Experience wall hung pieces, sculptures, handmade books, and a floating installation that pushes the boundaries of what letterpress printing can be! Meet the participating artists at our closing reception on Friday, November 20, 2026
Upcoming Exhibition
For the Glory of My Peoples
New Works by Amos Kennedy, 2026 Desert Trail Press Artist-in-Residence Opening Reception, December 4, 2025 (First Friday), 5–8 pm, December 4, 2026 to January 15, 2027.
CLASSES
You haven’t lived until you’ve gotten ink under your fingernails! Join us for one of our classes in letterpress, block printing, bookmaking, and more! Our community classes are small, typically 6-8 students, so everyone gets hands-on experience and one-on-one attention from experienced instructors. A list of 2027 classes will be available in December 2026.
OUTREACH
The Four Corners community is our mission at Desert Trail Press & Rare Type Collection. Our educational initiatives include on-site tours, workshops, and our traveling Trail Snack Press. In addition, we coordinate projects designed to promote the varied voices of our region. If you are interested in partnering with us for an outreach event, please contact us.
Trail Snack Press Upcoming Events
Aztec Senior Community Center Print Day
Saturday, November 14, 2025, 11 am–4 pm
Our mobile Trail Snack Press will be at the Aztec Senior Community Center making prints with the residents. Come by to see us in action!
At What Cost?
December 1 to 5, 2025 Donation-Optional Luncheon December 4, 12–1:30 pm
“At What Cost? is a unique collaboration between San Jan Community College art students and Aztec and Farmington High Schools social studies classes. Together they are exploring what it really costs to attend college, including the price people pay financially, emotionally, and physically for higher education.
An exhibition of letterpress posters created using the Trail Snack Press will be on display from December 1 to 4 in the Student Center on SJCC’s main campus. On Thursday, December 3 from 11:30 to 1:30 pm, students will present their research at a donation- optional luncheon. R.S.V.P to by November 27 to reserve your spot! All proceeds are donated to student scholarships at SJCC.