art appreciation

by Kristen West

Lapis Room enhances the cultural experience in Old Town

IN THE HEART OF ALBUQUERQUE’S Old Town district, where adobe walls whisper centuries of stories, Lapis Room Art Gallery + Gift Shop invites visitors to explore a blend of art, culture and intention. This locally owned gallery is more than a space to view art—it’s a multi-sensory journey into the beauty of the human spirit.

The gallery’s light-filled interior showcases original works by regional artists, from contemporary paintings and photography to ceramics, jewelry, handmade goods and unique gift shop items. Everything is carefully chosen to reflect the cultural richness of New Mexico and the greater Southwest.

Lapis Room also boasts a direct connection to a well-adored local winery, Noisy Water Winery. This means that customers can grab a glass of wine or cider to take with them into the gallery or even make a day out of the experience while they take in the vibrancy of Old Town.

Connecting to the winery has enabled the gallery to help individuals start their art collections, says Meg Grgurich, Lapis Room’s deputy director. “An art gallery can be inherently intimidating sometimes,” she says. “Bringing people in through the winery has created good flow and attracted a lot of first-time art buyers since there’s something for everybody at all different price points.”

At the entrance, a small gift shop welcomes guests with locally made goods—each vendor handpicked for the unique value they bring to the community. In the gallery, customers can browse exclusive, original paintings and sculptures as well as a wide range of artist prints.

Lapis Room also aims to create a fusion of the arts by integrating the world of sound into the experience. Sound has always played an essential role in the gallery’s ambience, whether through subtle background music, a local musician playing live or ticketed events like poetry readings or a mindful Alan Watts–inspired meditation event.

Grgurich says one of the things she loves most is witnessing the evolution of some artists featured at Lapis Room. For example, Adam Bustamante, a classically trained oil painter, experienced a sudden change of style this past year after letting go of certain self-assigned expectations. “Now, his work is super expressive, and it’s all of the sudden very colorful,” Grgurich says. “It’s really cool to see an artist have a growth moment like that where they just mix it up.”

The gallery features a variety of artists, from comic book, sequential art and animation creative Beedallo to Joshua Patterson, who bridges the gap between graffiti and fine art. In addition to rotating exhibitions, Lapis Room hosts regular creative and social events, all aimed at building community and deepening appreciation for local talent.

The gallery is open seven days a week. It has grown organically with the neighboring businesses in Old Town since its opening in 2021, right when the area’s small business culture was yawning back to life. “Albuquerque’s art scene right now is really buzzing,” Grgurich says. “This town feels inherently connected to the Lapis Room story, and we’ve been able to work with some great people. It’s the perfect spot for us.”