Elaine Ritchel

Hello! I'm an educator, arts writer, entrepreneur, and tour guide. 

I produce meaningful, art-centered experiences that promote visual literacy, inspire personal awareness, and deepen connections with the world around us.

 
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In a Nutshell

I'm an art enthusiast who launched my tour company, Santa Fe Art Tours, after years of experience in art history and museum education. I also create interpretive tours and programs for arts institutions. 

I have a knack for doing things with words, too. I've tackled everything from writing to proofreading and editing to translating from Croatian to English.

Want to know more? Keep on scrolling.
 

Tours & Programs

I love encouraging personal connections with art through tours and programs that invite conversation, reflection, and active engagement with the work on view.

Participants in my programs report that they feel more comfortable engaging with art, and they're more likely to return to the exhibition and explore on their own. Here are just a few of the tours and programs I've created.

 
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Arts & Culture Writing

I write for galleries, museums, and publications seeking an experienced writer who is well versed in visual art. Through accessible and engaging storytelling, I aim to encourage readers to spend more time with art regardless of their prior experience with it.

I also enjoy writing about my adopted home, Croatia. I've served as an in-house writer for a Croatian travel website, and I authored a guide to living in Zagreb for expats.

 

Resume

Curious about my credentials? Here's an abbreviated resume. You may also check out my LinkedIn profile for more details.

 

Experience

Owner, Santa Fe Art Tours LLC
Nov 2015 to present

Independent Museum
Educator
Oct 2011 to present

Freelance Writer & Language Services Provider
July 2012 to present

Assistant, Croatian Association of Artists
April 2013 to April 2014

Assistant, Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb
Nov 2011-March 2013

Gallery Teacher, Blanton Museum of Art
Aug 2010-May2011

 

 

Education

M.A. Art History
University of Texas, Austin
2011

B.A. Art History
University of New Mexico
2008

 

Skills & Languages

Perceptive

Collaborative

Communicative

Empathetic

English

Croatian

French

 
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Testimonials

I want to thank you, Elaine, for your beautifully orchestrated walk through art. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon and enter into new ways of seeing. Loved the conversations with others. It woke me up to the value of concentrating and describing.
— Barbara Rockman, educator and poet
Reading Elaine’s articles about my artist colleagues, my personal impression is that they are presented with dignity and in accordance with their work. Her articles are not just superficial journalistic portraits, but a true picture of the quality of the Croatian art scene.
— Tea Hatadi, artis and curator
Elaine’s knowledgeable and entertaining dialogue has added a whole new dimension to the way I view art.
— TripAdvisor review

Contact

Interested in working together? I'd love to hear from you.

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