MADRID, NEW MEXICO – Once upon a great while, one happens upon a shop unlike any other. A shop that is as much inviting as it gives pause. In Paris, there’s such a shop called Deyrolle. In Madrid, New Mexico (pronounced “MAD-rid”), lives the American equivalent: ROCKpaper gallery.

Madrid is a small, dusty, cool little town of 200 souls, about 50 miles northeast of Albuquerque. No stoplights (or stop signs for that matter), the town was used as a backdrop for the film “Wild Hogs” (don’t bother) which has helped to boost tourism to the area. Madrid is chock-a-block with cafes, shops, and art galleries of all types, one might describe it as a less-pretentious Canyon Road. On the weekends, the town swells from tourists taking the long road to/from Santa Fe.

Anyhow, back to Rock Paper. Almost a year ago to the date, I happened into this place – a welcome relief from after several hours of gallery wandering. Upon entering, a strange feeling of familiarity came over me. Don’t know why, but the place just had this deja-vu quality and an interesting vibe: unassuming, sometimes macabre, perhaps even a bit daunting, but very inviting. The staff and owners are fantastic and happy to go into detail about any of the items for sale.

I returned to Rock Paper yesterday, and was admiring a piece called “Fallen Angel” (the legless, adolescent cherub shown bottom right in the photo at the top of this post) when the creator of the piece – Oma Anand Naren – strolled in. Oma is a local artist and had also created a few other, equally curious works on display. Much of the gallery is filled with works from by local artists. Rock Paper also has an impressive collection of curiosities created from found objects – apothecary jars, odd bits and pieces from the turn of the century – and as you might guess from the name, many, many scissors, both ancient and new. There is also an excellent photography exhibit in the rear of the gallery.

Bottom line is that if you find yourself in the environs of Albuquerque or Santa Fe, it’s well worth the short trek to Madrid. A visit to ROCKpaper will make your visit that much sweeter.