NTVES, featuring handcrafted indigenous clothing, accessories, and gifts, is back at Briarwood, along with gallery space for the artwork of founder Inty Muenala and others.
Muenala, his wife Lizbeth Conejo, and their three sons comprise the family business, steeped in their Kichwa Nation culture from Otavalo, Ecuador, in the Andean highlands. “It’s a small town, but [there are] many crafters there,” he says. For generations, they have woven alpaca wool into blankets, ponchos, and much more.
Using traditional and native-inspired designs of their own, NTVES gives skilled artisans back home an outlet for their colorful wares. Other offerings include Navajo jewelry, cotton dresses, embroidered leather handbags, and dream catchers.
Muenala first came to town as an exhibitor in the Guild of Artists & Artisans’ Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair. He emigrated to the U.S. about a decade ago, and after spending time in Vermont and Chicago, put down roots in Commerce Township.
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“I sold many art [works] here. I love the lakes. I love the forest. Yeah, this is a beautiful place,” he says of his adopted state.
This is the store’s second appearance at Briarwood—Muenala left a smaller center-
court space about three years ago for a stint at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi.
At the adjacent INTY.M Gallery, his originals range from $200 to $3,000, with prints available for $35 to $150. He plans to feature the work of other Michigan and Native American artists there as well.
NTVES, Briarwood Mall (Von Maur wing). (248) 342–4571. Mon.–Thurs. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. noon–6 p.m. ntves.com
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