mural in reno nevada

Art, Handmade Goods & Silver State Swag

We Nevadans are one crafty, creative bunch. If we can throw it, spin it, pin it, or paint it, you better believe we will (with a little Silver State magic thrown in for good measure). From tours of towns draped in colorful murals all over the state to solar-powered mug making in Gerlach and some (literally?) outta-this-world mementos along the Extraterrestrial Highway, you can make no mistakes (only happy little accidents) shopping this list for the artsy aficionados in your life.

Get Fired Up For Pottery

Gerlach, Tuscarora, Reno

Planet X Pottery

Venture out to Gerlach for “art you can use everyday.” This solar-powered oasis nestled between the Smoke Creek and Black Rock Deserts is a working pottery studio and boasts four galleries showing off mugs, bowls, plates, vases, teapots, and a whole lot more. It’ll be easy to find an extra special piece (or two) to bring home.

Gerlach

Tuscarora Summer Pottery School Retreats

Dogs and chickens significantly outnumber human residents in Tuscarora, a community near the Idaho border of Nevada that’s home to one-and-two-week-long pottery workshops every summer. Perfect for ceramics beginners or more seasoned practitioners, you can expand your clay confidence and skills surrounded by wide open spaces, clear skies, and rugged mountains. 

Tuscarora

The Wedge Ceramics Studio Group Classes

If you wanna spin some clay in the Biggest Little City, The Wedge has classes for every level of learner. You’ll wheely enjoy the four-week beginner course, as well as options for glazing, hand-building, image transferring, and more. The lessons you gift this year could become your brand new set of mugs or plates next year!

Reno

Walkable Arty Parties

Sparks, Elko, Ely & Las Vegas

Sparks Art Walk

With a downloadable map in hand, art-inclined amblers can explore Downtown Sparks and Victorian Square, discovering murals and sculptures created by prominent local artists — including within Great Basin Brewing Co., where hand-painted imagery adorns each outdoor patio table. Pieces have QR codes, too, so you’ll get behind-the-scenes details on the art and interviews with artists in a snap. Wave hi to Last Chance Joe, the de facto mascot of Sparks, for us!

Sparks

Elko Mural Tour

Get to Nevada’s northeastern corner and you’ll find upwards of 70+ murals adorning downtown Elko. Giant painted cowboy boots dot the landscape, too.

Elko

Renaissance Village & Ely Mural Walking Tour

Culture comes alive in Ely. See for yourself at Renaissance Village, where you can stroll through replica houses that reflect the global communities that influenced Ely, or take a self-guided audio walking tour to fully appreciate dozens of the town’s murals.

Ely

18b Arts District

Nicknamed “18b” for its 18-block footprint, the Las Vegas Arts District describes itself as a “cultural explosion” of art galleries, funky antique shops and boutiques, and chic cafes and bars. Spend the day exploring – perhaps during the monthly First Friday block party – and spend the night in nearby downtown Las Vegas.

Las Vegas

Creative Crafts

Las Vegas, Carson City, Reno, Alamo, Sparks & Henderson

Battle Born Pins

Got a flair for flair? Dress up your look with enamel pins of vintage Vegas icons – think the Riviera, Stardust, Elvis, and the El Cortez’s carpet – along with the state flower, state bird, and “Battle Born” motto. Stickers and magnets await as well.

Las Vegas

Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum Gift Shop

Offering everything from beadwork and art prints to drums and tule ducks, the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum Gift Shop is full of authentic, locally made Native American goods. The artist’s name and tribal affiliation are included with each item, too. You’ll have to visit this historic campus in Carson City to make a purchase but trust us—your time spent here will be well worth it for endless reasons. The museum and gift shop will be closed December 15 through January 1, so get your holiday shopping done here ASAP!

Carson City

Wyld Market Collective

Wyld Market Collective is a one-stop shop for oodles of goodies all handmade in the Reno-Tahoe region. Discover everything from ceramics and chocolates to skincare and pet products, or sign up for numerous and varied maker workshops.  

Reno

Desert Hummingbird Designs

Fashioned by a Shoshone/Washoe/Latina seamstress and artist, you’ll find stunning shawls, ribbon skirts, dresses, and home goods in the most vibrant of colors and designs.

Online

Curly Wolf

Founded in the Biggest Little City and inspired by the American West, Curly Wolf designs capsule collections of clothing and home goods. Show your Silver State pride with the Eureka Tee and Goldfield Cap (both of which stylize the iconic Nevada Club logo) or scent your space with the Harvest Moon candle, a fragrance that encapsulates the transition from fall to winter in Reno.

Reno

Alien Research Center

Just down the street from Area 51, here’s where you wanna be for discussing UFO sightings and proof of otherworldly visitors. Swap stories and theories while scoping out Extraterrestrial Highway hats, alien tequila and hot sauce, Area 51 trinkets, and little green guys.

Alamo

Jimmy Beans Wool

We’re not spinning a yarn here – Jimmy Beans is your Reno-based wooly wonderland. Pick up a hobby or perfect your pastime with yarn, needles, patterns, kits, and so much more.

Reno

Flag Store Sign & Banner

If you need a one-stop shop for all things Nevada – including everything from flags and patches to cutting boards and cookie cutters – look no further than this Sparks-based business that champions Silver State products.

Sparks

Mountain Music Parlor

Perfect for slide guitar virtuosos, collectors, and amateur noodlers alike, these one-of-a-kind, made-in-Reno cigar box guitars seriously smoke. Rock over to Mountain Music Parlor to scope them (and so much more) out.

Online

Neon Cactus Vintage

Go the sustainable – and vintage – route at Neon Cactus, which ethically sources size-inclusive clothing that’s all about being bold, fun, and diverse.

Las Vegas

Brewery Arts Center

The multi-generational, multi-cultural art epicenter of our capital city dazzles visitors with two blocks of Nevadan-created public art, workshops, and concerts, while its on-site Artisan Store offers fine ceramics, prints, ornaments, sculptures, and other Nevada-made art galore.

Carson City

State 36 Clothing Co.

Outfit the entire family in stylish gear that won’t leave anyone questioning which state you love the most. State 36 offers tanks, tees, beanies, home goods, and more that speak to our Silver State souls.

Reno

Pretty Little Paper Co.

If your heart belongs to the Silver State, shout it from the rooftops with stickers, t-shirts, and hoodies from Pretty Little Paper Co. The popular “With Love From” series will let you rep your adoration for Reno, Las Vegas, Sparks, Lake Tahoe, and more.

Reno

Home Means Nevada Co.

Show off your Battle Born pride (and look good doing so) with your pick of shirts, hats, hoodies, home goods, and more. Bonus points if you find yourself singing “Home Means Nevada” while browsing.

Reno & Henderson

Decked Out in Decor and More

Reno & Las Vegas

Stumpf Woodworks

Using wood sourced from Lake Tahoe, this Reno artisan creates rustic yet modern live-edge furniture. Shop ready-made tables, benches, and charcuterie boards or dream up a custom piece that brings elements of nature indoors.

Reno

Meridian Press

Adorn your walls with absolutely stunning, hand-painted linocut prints of the Truckee River, Sand Harbor, and all sorts of dazzling flora and fauna. Or send an extra special piece of mail with letterpress greeting cards starring jackrabbits, red-tailed hawks, and pinyon jays. 

Reno

Myron Hensel Photography

Treat yourself to a tintype portrait session, just like Abraham Lincoln sat for back in the day. The process dates back to the 1850s, and your resulting one-of-a-kind photograph is certain to become a family heirloom. 

Las Vegas

Carmel of Reno

Make the mail more fun by popping greeting cards from Carmel of Reno into someone’s real-life inbox. This storied monastery turns lovely pieces of art into correspondence for all occasions, including birthdays, holidays, and just-because gestures.

Reno

J.Charboneau Contemporary Arts

Drawing from her fine arts training and decade of nomadism across 21 countries, Reno-based Jennifer Charboneau commits her “visual philosophy” to canvas, meldings of chaos and beauty inspired by music, scenery, and beyond—including that found around the Silver State

Reno