Albuquerque - American Southwest - page 258

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Best Buys
The best buys in Albuquerque are Southwestern regional items, including arts
and crafts of all kinds—traditional Native American and Hispanic, as well as con-
temporary works. In local Native American art, look for silver and turquoise jew-
elry, pottery, weavings, baskets, sand paintings, and Hopi katsina (kachina) dolls.
Hispanic folk art—hand-crafted furniture, tinwork, and retablos —is worth seek-
ing out. The best contemporary art is in paintings, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics,
and fiber art, including weaving. Other items of potential interest are Southwest-
ern fashions, gourmet foods, and unique local Native American and Hispanic cre-
ations.
By far, the most galleries are in Old Town; others are spread around the city,
with smaller groupings in the university district and the Nob Hill area.

Business hours vary, but shops are generally open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm;
many have extended hours; some have reduced hours; and a few, especially in shopping
malls or during the high tourist season, are open on Sunday.
In Albuquerque the sales tax is 6.875%.

ARTS & CRAFTS
Amapola Gallery Fifty artists and craftspeople show their talents at this lovely
cooperative gallery, upstairs in the historic 1849 Romero House. You'll find pottery,
paintings, textiles, carvings, baskets, jewelry, and other items. 205 Romero St. & 505/242-
4311.
Andrews Pueblo Pottery Carrying pueblo pottery that ranges from the black
firings of San Ildefonso to the sand-colored Acoma, this gallery is a place for rich perus-
ing as well as serious buying. Also of note here are Zuni stone fetishes and Hopi katsinas
(kachinas). 303 N. Romero NW, Old Town. & 877/606-0543 or 505/243-0414. www.andrews
pueblopottery.com.
Bien Mur Indian Market Center Sandia Pueblo's crafts market, on the reserva-
tion, sells turquoise and silver jewelry, pottery, baskets, katsina (kachina) dolls, hand-
woven rugs, sand paintings, and other arts and crafts. The market is open Monday
through Saturday from 9:30am to 5:30pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. I-25, at Tram-
way Road NE. & 800/365-5400 or 505/821-5400.
Gallery One This gallery features folk art, jewelry, contemporary crafts, cards and
paper, and natural-fiber clothing. In the Nob Hill Shopping Center, 3500 Central Ave. SE.
& 505/268-7449.
Hispaniae in Old Town Finds Day of the Dead people and Frida Kahlo faces
greet you at this wild shop with everything from kitschy Mexican tableware to fine
Oaxacan woodcarvings. 410 Romero St. NW, Old Town. & 505/244-1533. www.hispaniae.
com.
Mariposa Gallery Value Eclectic contemporary art, jewelry, blown glass, and
sculpture fill this Nob Hill shop, with prices that even a travel writer can afford. In the
Nob Hill Shopping Center, 3500 Central Ave. SE. & 505/268-6828. www.mariposa-gallery.com.

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