The Art of Peru

A newcomer on the Adams Morgan strip is having an official grand opening tonight. Owners James Nixon and Hector Varate have turned their stand at Eastern Market into Toro Mata, a Peruvian ceramics and home accessories store that offers perfect gifts for anyone needing a Machu Picchu high. The shop carries mostly black-and-white vases with geometric designs and a few featuring colorful dragonfly patterns, as well as intricately painted trays. Cutest of all is a red, folk-art chicken piece, a more unusual take on the rooster statues you can find at Pier 1 and its ilk.

I first wandered into the store because of its late hours; it's open until 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, so when you're out for dinner or drinks, you can still fit in some shopping, too. Stop by tonight's reception from 6 to 9 where you can sample Pisco sours and hors d'oeuvres while checking out the new merchandise: oil paintings and handwoven alpaca rugs from artists living in Cuzco and Ayacucho, Peru.

-- Anne