Outings: Albuquerque
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| This enclave of shops and galleries is an adobe oasis in the heart of the city. |
Little by Little
Tucked behind twin iron gates emblazoned with “Bienvenidos! Welcome to Nick Garcia’s Patio” is one of Albuquerque’s most charming art enclaves. This courtyard is always my first stop in Old Town; I feel I’m visiting an old friend to see what’s new. Located at the corner of Church and San Felipe streets, it is one of the few remaining pieces of a huge swath of land once owned by one of Albuquerque’s founding families.
The family’s current generation named the property Nick Garcia’s Poco a Poco Patio, to honor their grandfather (who built the compound) and his favorite saying, “poco a poco” (little by little).
My first stop is always the gallery Santisima, opened about four years ago by owner Johnny Salas, who has been an exhibiting artist for 18 years. Santisima features work by Hispanic artists in reverent but playful displays of traditional and reinterpreted Mexican and Spanish folk art. Here you’ll find Day of the Dead–themed work, homages to Frida Kahlo, and, of course, Salas’s own work, including his tiny Altoids-tin shrines.
Downstairs and next door is the Albuquerque Photographers gallery, a cooperative of 10 local photographers whose work commonly features the Land of Enchantment’s landscapes and people. The gallery hosts regular shows and themed exhibits, and a member of the co-op is always on hand to chat about what’s new and on view.
I continue into Tinhorn Toys. Stocked with replicas of toys from the 1940s and ’50s, it’s one of my new haunts; I’m lured in by the delight of seeing some of my old favorites, Lincoln Logs, alongside painted metal windup things that whirl and twirl with nary a battery in sight.
My final stop is the magical La Casita de Kaleidoscopes, which showcases kaleidoscopes created by more than 60 different artists. With their infinite variations of light, color, and pattern, this is art you can interact with.
But if you’re only seeking respite from Old Town’s hubbub, come to the Poco a Poco Patio and unwind.
Nick Garcia’s Poco a Poco Patio, 326-328 San Felipe St. NW; Santisima, (505) 246-2611, www.johnnysalasart.com; Albuquerque Photographers Gallery, (505) 244-9195, www.abqphotographersgallery.com; Tinhorn Toys, (505) 242-4085, www.tinhorntoys.com; La Casita de Kaleidoscopes, (505) 247-4242, www.casitascopes.com—Neala Schwartzberg
