Gallup, New Mexico is the undisputed trading hub of the Native American Arts Industry. In our small city of less than 25,000 residents Native American jewelry stores are so plentiful they can be counted by the dozen. The Nugget Gallery is one that stands apart in distinction and place a couple of miles off the beaten path of heavily store lined Old Route 66. To find the Nugget Gallery go South on 2nd street until you see the store sign on the right of the road. The store is densely packed with Native American treasures of all sorts. Whenever I visit I'm delightfully reminded of an 1880 interior image of Jakes Gold's legendary Old Curio Shop in Santa Fe, N.M. The Nugget Gallery has a scattered array of vintage and new Native American Jewelry, a wide selection of old and new pottery, Pendleton blankets, historic Native American clothing, a fabulous collection of Zuni and Hopi Kachinas, and much more to discover. The owners know their business and the artists very well. And they know how to coddle the store dog who loves resting on his own Chief Joseph Pendleton blankets.
