ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE
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Mention New Mexico and images of its rich mix of cultures and unique blend of arts quickly spring to mind. In the northeast portion of the state, where prairie and grasslands combine with mountains and mesas, cultural and artistic patterns overlap to create their own distinctive form.
Nothing defines the region more fully than the tradition and practice of ranching. Begun in he early 1800s and expanded in the wake of the Civil War, ranching and the "cowboy culture" that defines that lifestyle remains palpable in the region, replete with the romance and hardship that the lifestyle evokes. The lure of adventure and trade, that first drew travelers through New Mexico was repeated a century later when the mass production of the automobile and the development of the interstate highway system made car travel a way to explore the American West. The culture of automobile travel that developed across the West at that time left lasting markers across the region in the form of motels, rest stops, mock "trading posts", and neon signage. These features remain foundational elements of the region and spawned a nostalgic "travel culture" that has developed into a small sub-industry for tourists. The path of the railroad through northeast New Mexico helped to develop towns such as Raton and Las Vegas as key stopping points along the rail line, bringing a diverse workforce to the area, sustaining growth, and keeping the arts alive. This growth was overlain onto a patchwork of existing traditional Hispanic and native communities, creating a variety of cultural blends across the region. Arts in the region showcase contemporary works and traditional Spanish crafts side by side, as well as architectural gems such as train stations and mission churches. |
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Settler Culture in the Northeast The northeast epitomizes the ruggedness of the West, reflected in the cowboy and pioneer lifestyle. While the practices and trappings of ranch work have changed over time, the relative freedom, seasonal nature of the tasks, long hours outdoors, and close relationship to the land remain. Contemporary "cowboy and pioneer culture" reflects these and other elements of a bygone era. We list businesses, museums, and locations that capture the cowboy and pioneer spirit.
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The Heritage of TravelFrom the Camino Real to construction of the railroads and the interstate highway systems, the history of trade and travel in the region remain embedded in the landscape of northeast New Mexico. View century old wagon wheel ruts along the route of the Camino Real or tour the iconic neon signs along sections of old Route 66 for a sampling of American history, Americana, and the history of trade and travel. View the roads, hotels, shops, and iconic locations that reflect the changing face of travel through the Southwest.
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Arts in the NortheastFrom tinwork to weaving, furniture making to silversmithing, and building construction of all forms, the art and architecture of northeast New Mexico blends innovation and tradition to offer creative adaptations of centuries-old crafts and styles. The resulting works might be contemporary renditions of a traditional art form; a carefully restored mission or mill; or, the influence of tradition may be more subtle, appearing in the use of colors or patterns that derive from native or Hispanic artwork. All of these variations are reflected in the rich array of arts, crafts, and structures of the northeast region. View our list of galleries, architectural structures, and shops that feature northeast New Mexico arts and crafts.
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