Top 5 Durango Art & Culture Spots: A Local’s Guide

If you are planning a trip to Durango, Colorado and wondering where to soak up some art and culture, you’ve come to just the right place. That’s almost a promise! Durango isn’t maybe a huge metropolis, yet it boasts an unexpectedly rich blend of artistic expression and historical intrigue. From its well-preserved historical sites to the diverse artistic creations on display, there is much to take in. So, let’s explore five locations where you can truly experience Durango’s vibrant artistic soul. I mean, where else would you find such a thing? And, of course, you could also experience a part of its very soul while visiting, too.

1. Durango Arts Center: A Hub of Creativity

If you’re looking to immerse yourself in Durango’s present-day arts scene, the Durango Arts Center definitely should be near the top of your list. This lively center, actually, serves as something of a creative playground. It gives space for exhibitions of all different kinds by local and regional artists. Check out a new local artist sometime! As I was saying, you can find everything from paintings and sculptures to photography and mixed media on display. The DAC, as people tend to call it, has workshops and classes available for all ages and skill levels. Really, you could even try your hand at pottery, painting, or jewelry-making. By the way, did I mention the performances that go on there? Often there’s theater productions, dance recitals, and concerts, so, too it’s almost certain you’ll find something to spark your creativity and maybe tickle your fancy. So, just maybe give it a look-see!

2. Animas Museum: Delving into Durango’s Past

For a glimpse into Durango’s rich history, very few places can rival the Animas Museum. Actually, you could see the city’s story through artifacts and exhibits that tell of its evolution, as it moves from its early Native American roots to its mining boom days and beyond. Anyway, did you know it used to be a schoolhouse? Yeah, like your average red-brick building schoolhouse, but the exhibits there offer a deep this over past. If you tend to enjoy history, stop by local museums. Basically, the displays bring those days of the past back with period clothing and mining equipment that allow us to look back and remember. The museum also pays tribute to the area’s Native American heritage, actually providing some kind of greater comprehension of the cultures and traditions of the people who initially occupied this land.

3. Henry Strater Theatre: A Stage for the Performing Arts

When the topic is entertainment and theater, you very, very few spots can equal Henry Strater Theater. Alright, just to clarify things. Nestled inside the historic Strater Hotel, this spot provides a cozy and intimate venue for seeing plays, musicals, and other live shows. By the way, that hotel has a rich past going all the way back to the late 1800’s. Of course you knew that. Over the course of more than a century, it has hosted many a performance. Anyway, I suppose that’s enough rambling. Let’s stick with the basics: Seeing a show at the Strater is kind of like taking a step back in time. If that even interests you, consider other local places to watch a play! From melodramas to musical revues, there is actually pretty much always something happening on stage that provides audiences an evening of culture and fun that might give them a few laughs to savor in their daily lives.

4. Toh-Atin Gallery: Showcasing Native American Art

If your aim is seeing authentic Native American art, then consider Toh-Atin Gallery. Just maybe go pay it a visit. Very often there will be stunning displays, which includes, paintings, pottery, jewelry, and weavings made by artisans across the Southwest. As I was about to say, the gallery definitely does place considerable focus on pieces that show the cultural heritage and artistic skills of the area’s Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and other Native American tribes. This area could serve you a cultural lesson! Really, by adding items like these, Toh-Atin contributes a way of presenting an important viewpoint on the regions ethnic diversity to the region. So, give another art shop that is Native American owned a shot. By the way, many agree that owning an item purchased here can represent bringing home a piece of Native American culture, an experience that I personally can not object to. This adds significance when looking at all the culture in the area.

5. Open Shutter Gallery: A Photographic Journey

Photographers will want to come have a look at the Open Shutter Gallery, it’s something I find myself doing myself every now and then. This location presents both the photography of renowned professionals and the talents of up-and-coming local photographers to the public, it tends to create some buzz among those into photos. In addition, the gallery sometimes holds workshops and discussions that touch upon a wide range of photography subjects. So too it’s almost certain you’ll see a little bit of everything! Find yourself a workshop with photographers somewhere, that’ll certainly improve your skills! If a visitor goes to this place, not only will they be presented with works of magnificent photographic merit, but there’s often opportunity given to learn some things as well. This is where you might discover the value that photography brings.