Things to do / Travel Guide
Shopping in northern New Mexico is something of an art form, with Santa Fe and Taos in particular known for their countless stores selling locally produced works of art, much of it inspired by the beauty and the history of the area, as well as the art of the area's ancient inhabitants. Beware though, in addition to the standard sort of tourist gift shops, tourist traps advertising bogus works touted as Native American originals are rife.
The artwork sold in the area of Santa Fe and Taos became popular enough to spawn its own genre of art, often referred to as “Southwestern” or “Santa Fe” style. This art is known for its Native American influences, and is most renowned for the silver and turquoise jewelry and elaborate works of pottery that nearly every visitor purchases on a trip to the region.
The Pueblo Native Americans of New Mexico have practiced the ancient art of pottery for thousands of years and their virtuosity at this art form has lead to the renowned local pottery scene. Over the years, this artwork attained almost a language of its own, with the multitude of patterns having their own meanings much like hieroglyphics. To this day, artists create their works of pottery with an eye to the rich cultural heritage inherent in the art form.
Making jewelry still provides a livelihood for many Native Americans in the area, and stores selling original Native American arts and crafts are numerous throughout the region. In Santa Fe, and especially Taos, these stores are very numerous. Silver and metal are the traditional elements of this jewelry and define traditional Southwestern jewelry. In recent years, new metals and stones have been introduced into the art .
In the tourist-heavy areas of the region, smaller boutique-style stores specializing in luxury jewelry and artwork are easy to find.
The shopping district of Antonito, Colorado features several quaint gift shops, including a pottery store and a store specializing in custom-made dominos. For a town its size, Alamosa, Colorado has an impressive amount of shopping available. Downtown Alamosa features several antique stores and art galleries around town, hand-made collectibles and works of art are widely available.
Shopping Malls in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado
Shopping
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