Alamo Gallery and Gifts offer local art and knowledge

At Alamo Gallery and Gifts visitors are treated to more than just art; they’re welcomed into a space where creativity, history and personality collide.

Managed by Joyann and Leon Miler, the gallery showcases everything from layered acrylic paintings to glass pendants and carved fossils. The gallery currently hosts 32 artists, from herbalists to photographers and everything in between.

Leon Miler’s art is throughout the gallery, and his painting technique is as meticulous as it is vibrant. “That is the original underpainting right there,” he said. “The whole painting was painted in that color, and then you come up and layer over it in ten layers to get the skin tone — and I only use primary colors. There’s no black.”

His work includes imaginative pieces like dragons, but also portraits of people, often with hidden paintings embedded in the background.

“They’re painted the same way,” he said.

Beyond the canvas, the gallery offers a playful mix of items for every taste, from tie-die overalls to handmade costume jewelry. All items are priced fairly in consideration of the amount of craftsmanship that goes into each piece.

There are also woodworkers who host their pieces in the gallery.

“We have three different woodworkers now… they do things that maybe cross paths, but they’re completely different,” said Leon.

Wood items include a handmade hutch made from soft and hardwood, as well as jewelry boxes inlaid with dyed wood pieces.

Their newest wood artist, Jim McClain, makes wooden bowls and vases using a special technique.

“He buys the pigment powder and mixes it with alcohol… stains the wood with it,” said Leon.

The result resembles a wooden piece that appears to be inlaid with glass.

Artists are not only from Socorro; there are also works from contributors in Magdalena, as well as several from the Alamo reservation, all with their art on display and for sale.

Whether browsing cards, admiring layered paintings, or chatting about fossils and art, guests are encouraged to explore freely. Their hours are Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Alamo Gallery and Gifts will also host a free pour painting class on Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. and will participate in the Festival of Cranes Arts and Crafts Fair at the Garcia Opera House in December.

Alamo Gallery and Gifts is located at 1008 N. California St.