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Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

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Entrance to the Sculpture Garden at the New Mexico Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.

This top-quality museum (indianartsandculture.org; adult/child $12/free) sets out to trace the origins and history of the various Native American peoples of the entire Southwest, and explain and illuminate their widely differing cultural traditions. Pueblo, Navajo and Apache interviewees describe the contemporary realities each group now faces, while a truly superb collection of ceramics, modern and ancient, is complemented by stimulating temporary displays.

And there's usually a superb collection of pueblo ceramics, modern and ancient decorated with beautiful and intricate designs, plus blankets, tapestries, artworks and photography documenting communities in temporary exhibits, offering a rare peek into how people live. The Discovery Center hosts sessions for young people on weaving, pottery and storytelling.

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