IVY MORRIS 2023-10-19 04:04:34
Not all gift shops are created equal. Skip hokey t-shirts and kitschy keychains for museum gift shops with authentic American Indian items, Southwest décor and only-found-in-Arizona mementos that are a work of art in and of themselves. The mission of the Amerind Museum, located in Dragoon, is to preserve the traditions and culture of Indigenous peoples — from the past and into today. The museum’s gift shop is an extension of that purpose, selling Southwestern jewelry, handmade crafts and books that benefit American Indian artists and the Amerind Museum’s continued research. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson is a living museum that showcases the Sonoran Desert’s flora and fauna, as well as its animal inhabitants. The museum’s gift shop honors the region with reusable water bottles, Sonoran Desert-inspired housewares, and even cacti. Explore Navajo Interactive Museum, located in Tuba City, offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about Navajo culture, history and the journey Navajos take through life. The museum’s gift shop features a range of authentic items, including jewelry, pottery and Navajo rugs. Visitors also can find books on Navajo history and culture. Heard Museum, located in Phoenix, is one of the most renowned museums in the Southwest — and the Heard Museum Shop matches its esteemed reputation. The shop’s buyers partner directly with American Indian artists, both ensuring the authenticity of jewelry, pottery, rugs and other handcrafted items, as well as supporting the artists directly. The Museum of Northern Arizona, located in Flagstaff, is home to one of the most extensive collections of American Indian art and artifacts in the region. The museum’s gift shop offers visitors a range of authentic items, including handmade jewelry, pottery and textiles. Visitors also can find books on American Indian history and culture. The Museum Store at the Phoenix Art Museum takes inspiration from the museum’s extensive art collection and rotating exhibits, making the acclaimed practical. From contemporary clothing to hands-on arts and crafts activities for kids and Herman Miller furniture, items infuse the everyday with creativity. Selling souvenirs that are an ode to the Mother Road, the Route 66 Museum and Gift Shop in Williams celebrates the iconic highway, which runs through the region. The gift shop features a wide range of vintage memorabilia, including postcards, t-shirts, hats and other get-your-kicks gifts. Taliesin West, located in Scottsdale, was the winter home, studio and desert laboratory of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The museum’s gift shop — The Frank Lloyd Wright Store at Taliesin West — features a range of items inspired by Wright’s work, including home decor, apparel and accessories, plus an array of books on architecture and design. The Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block encompasses an entire city block in downtown Tucson and showcases a range of exhibitions focused on art of the American West, as well as Latin American, Indigenous and contemporary art. The Museum Store features a range of unique items inspired by the museum’s collections, as well as art supplies to create artwork of your own. Verkamp’s Visitor Center, located within Grand Canyon National Park, served as a curio shop and family home for more than a century. Today, it features exhibits on life at the Grand Canyon and sells books on the history and geology of the Grand Canyon during the summer season.
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