Originally published in The Taos News, Tempo Section >>
Success Stories:
Chimayo Trading Del Norte
From fortress to fine art
By Virginia Clark Aug 21, 2024 Updated Aug 22, 2024
Every Taoseño knows that Chimayo Trading Del Norte in the Ranchos de Taos Plaza is THE place for all traditional New Mexican art forms, both historic and contemporary.
Built for protection in the late 18th century, the Ranchos de Taos Plaza was once a huge two-story walled fortress encompassing the San Francisco de Asís Church, residences and shops. This gorgeous handmade adobe architecture of nearly 300 years ago beams loudly from two-foot-thick adobe walls, hand-hewn vigas, tin-patched floorboards and an antique cash register.
All this is the world Chimayo Trading Del Norte owners, husband and wife Gabriel and Alicia Abrums, offer to art and culture lovers at the Ranchos Plaza.
Whether through helping to sell family estate collections or downsizing a collection, Chimayo Trading has built trusted and continuing relationships with our clients. We are always on the hunt for good historic New Mexico art. We also offer Market value appraisals for artwork that will be sold through our gallery.
Locals and many visitors are often amazed to find within the walls of these unassuming historic buildings some of the finest Southwest jewelry, Navajo weavings, paintings, Pueblo pottery and Native American baskets.
Celebrating 21 years on the Ranchos de Taos Plaza, Chimayo Trading remains in its original space and has expanded to encompass the entire north side of the plaza — so Chimayo Trading is both “modern and historic,” Alicia says.
“I’ve always thought of Ranchos Plaza as one of the last holdouts of ‘Old New Mexico’ and as a window looking into the past,” Gabriel explained. “We feel very fortunate to be the current day caretakers of this piece of history and to help preserve it for the future.”
Originally, the couple said Chimayo Trading focused on Pueblo pottery from the matriarchal potters such as Maria Martinez (San Ildefonso), Margret Tafoya (Santa Clara), Lucy Lewis (Acoma) and direct descendants of potters. While that still holds true, Chimayo Trading pottery represents many different artists whose work carries on the culture and traditions of their people. “We have strived to honor the arts and traditions of the past to help provide a way for current artists to preserve the traditions and carry them into the future,” Gabriel added.
The original gallery focuses on local Pueblo pottery, Southwest jewelry and the bulk of their weavings, which include Navajo classics and Spanish Rio Grande textiles from as early as the mid-1800s to present-day weavers; and also a taste of some of their paintings, more of which you will find in the second gallery next door, showcasing the vast selection of Mata Ortiz paintings by contemporary and historic artists, bronze sculpture and wood carvings.
“Our newest endeavor is the two-story vacation-rental unit we’re finishing off the portal, through a gated patio behind the gallery,” Gabriel continued.” The old home is part of the original historic, two-story fortress walls that enclosed the village of 18th century Ranchos de Taos.
“The idea of the short-term rental is to allow our customers and visitors a chance to experience ‘Old Taos’ surrounded by beautiful art work and traditional furnishings the way they were meant to be experienced, but with some modern comforts,” Gabriel added. “The rooms will offer returning gallery visitors and other Ranchos Plaza history lovers, the chance to experience overnight enjoyment of all which Ranchos Plaza offers, all the historic and contemporary classics of Northern New Mexico culture. Keep an eye on our website for updates.”
“The village and plaza are an example of the enduring spirit of the people who rebuilt the village and the church and recovered their community,” the couple likes to stress. “In our Taos gallery we focus on both antique and contemporary art forms of New Mexico to honor the old and help ensure it carries on into the future by helping many artists make a living through their art. We focus on the art of many New Mexico cultures.”
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#1 Saint Francis Church Plaza
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557
575.758.0504
We buy individual pieces or whole collections.
Contact us for the evaluation and resale of your collectible art.
We’re interested in locating relevant collections and original New Mexico artwork for purchase. We buy historic and contemporary relevant paintings, pottery, jewelry, textiles, weavings and more.
Contact us directly to discuss and evaluate your collection. If you’re an artist, contact us about the possibility of selling your art on consignment or direct wholesale purchase.
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