A museum gift shop is like dessert, the final sweet course after a meal. The two newest shops in town -- both at the National Museum of the American Indian -- are no exception.
Both the Chesapeake and Roanoke museum stores offer thousands of items, from gems and books to ceramics and art. Since the museum's conception, a team of buyers has been meeting with the curators and visiting artists, other museum stores, Indian markets and powwows. "We created these as an extension of the museum," says Lisa Mazzio, Smithsonian Museum Stores' director of merchandise.
Clockwise from top: Wool scarf by Kaigani Haida artist Dorothy Grant ($225). Eight ounces of Quinault Northwest smoked salmon in wood box ($50). Smithsonian Institution spiral-bound journal featuring photographs by Frank A. Rinehart ($16.95) and leather embossed sun sign emblem journal ($30). Smithsonian Institution Navajo blanket collection bookmark ($2.25). Embossed leather handbag by Dorothy Grant ($160). Navajo belt by Dennis Martinez ($825). Smithsonian Institution Native American beadwork collection boxed notecards ($14.95).
(Photos Julia Ewan -- The Washington Post)
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The Chesapeake -- on the first floor of the museum at Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW -- covers 1,900 square feet and has more expensive goods than the other shop. "Our goal there is to become a premier destination on the East Coast for the native art collectors," Mazzio says. Pieces include Santa Clara pottery from the Tafoya family and Acoma Pueblo pottery from the Torivio family, blown glass by Isleta Pueblo artist Tony Jojola, carved masks, baskets, Alaskan Inuit sculptures and a $55,000 sculpture from Apache artist Allan Houser. The shop also has jewelry cases featuring the work of seven artists, including Santo Domingo Pueblo's Martine Lovato and Duane Maktima, of Hopi and Laguna Pueblo heritage.
The Roanoke shop on the second floor is 4,400 square feet. Here you'll find the Smithsonian's journals, note cards and bookmarks, an impressive book display and a children's area with native musical instruments and lacrosse sticks from the inventors of the game -- the Mohawks.
-- Janelle Erlichman Diamond
