Hispanic Culture and Customs | Visit Albuquerque

Early tin art included nichos (niches), often glass-framed boxes, meant to hold and protect the small bultos. Tin art, sometimes called “poor man’s silver,” soon entered into homes as frames for the colorful prints of saints that arrived with the French and Italian priests settling here. Tin was also used as frames for mirrors, which became more common as the territory of New Mexico saw increasing trade with the United States. Along with the appearance of imported tin cans in the mid-1800s, European prints framed in tin came into vogue. Until 1890, when commercial picture frames began to replace tin frames, and coal and gas lighting replaced the need for candle holders, tin artists made tinwork for pennies. Today the works sell for thousands. 

At the annual Mariachi Spectacular, enjoy traditional mariachi music featuring the world’s finest and most accomplished mariachi musicians. Key features of this remarkable event include the Mariachi Showcase Concert, the Mariachi Spectacular Concert and fantastic Mariachi Plaza programming, held downtown at the Civic Plaza every summer. Feel the sounds of the guitarones, violins and trumpets as they fill the air with vibrant rhythms and lush melodies. Check our events page for more details.

For more information, please visit the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.