Tlaquepaque (pronounced Tla-keh-pah-keh), Sedona Arizona’s Arts & Crafts Village, which some call the art and soul of Sedona, is nestled beneath the shade of beautiful sycamores on the banks of Oak Creek, but not quite as old as it looks.
The conceptual history of Tlaquepaque is the story of Abe Miller, a successful Nevada businessman. As the story goes, Abe Miller, the gifted, unconventional architect Bob McIntyre, and Bill Herrick, the general contractor, flew Abe’s plane all over Mexico into small villages photographing, sketching, and documenting the look and feel of the material and spiritual conditions to be interpreted as authentically as possible in their Tlaquepaque village.
When the first phase of construction began in 1971, an experimental building was created just to try out all the architectural forms and elements found in Spanish Colonial architecture.
The Chapel was Abe’s favorite building. He commissioned Eileen Conn to create a painting of St. Augustine, Pope Pius X, St. Bonaventure, Samuel, Peter, and John the Baptist.
My favorite at the Tlaquepaque is Susan Kliewer‘s bronze statue: Hopi Water Maiden.
By the way, when visiting Tlaquepaque in Sedona, don’t forget to stop by Oak Creek Brewery & Grill, which has truly great beer and burgers …