Galeria Merida

A new show of prints and paintings called Bitacoras by Juan Cano opens Friday, July3 at 8:00PM. Join the crowd at Galeria Merida for the opening, or go by later when you can walk around in the peace and quiet. This lovely gallery in a renovated colonial shows off the works to maximum effect.

New Art Map Available

The Yucatan Living Summer 2009 Merida Art Map is now available around the city. Ask for it at the city information booths, restaurants, hotels, museums and galleries. The map gives you the name, phone number and hours of every gallery, studio and museum in Merida’s centro historico, to make it easy for you to check out the growing number of artists and artisans creating unique works here in the Yucatan.

But that’s not all! We also make it available to you online, for printing or reference. See the Yucatan Living Merida Art Map for Summer 2009 here.

Goya paintings at the Olimpo

Monstruous de la razón translates as the Monsters of Reason. This show of 79 works by Spanish painter Francisco de Goya has an intriguing and dark title, perfectly reflective of his style of painting. We encourage everyone who cares about art to visit this exhibit of a world reknowned artist brought to Merida by a cultural program between our city and the city of Alteo in Spain. The show opens June 30 and stays open until August 30.

MACAY Events

The MACAY will be hosting a performance art piece Friday, July 3, at 8 pm in the Expoforo, the large open space on the east side of the building. You know how it is with performance pieces… they are better seen than described, but here goes: Artists Lizzete Abraham, Josue Abrahan, Leon Enriquez and Carolina Marqueada will be combining light, music, visual art, installation and performance to create a show called Perfarmia. Now you know as much as we do… but the actual event might actually be interesting.
This is also the last week to see the second quarter’s exhibits, with artists from Durango, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon and a few others. On Friday, July 17, at 8 pm, the new show opens with works by artists from Baja California, Michoacan, Nayarit and others.
If you watch Trece TV (Channel 13), you might like to tune in at Sundays at 9 pm for the MACAY Cultural Hour. Or tune into channel 103.9, Radio Universidad, Thursdays at 7 pm for artist interviews. All of this is in Spanish, por supuesto, but it may give you a good incentive to practice your Spanish listening skills!

 

There Are No Orphans In Art

Anyone who has discovered the joys of creating art knows that art can be not only a great release and a means of communication, but an amazing comfort. The founders and facilitators of the wonderful Purpura Plastika program bring art education to local Yucatecan orphanages. They spend three to four months working with children, teaching them to express themselves in art and at the same time, teaching them about their Mayan cultural heritage through the subject matter of their paintings.

The results of their latest efforts will be shown at the Centro de Artes Visuales (on Calle 60 between Calle 45 and Calle 47) beginning on June 19. You can attend the opening at 6 PM on June 19, with the chance to meet some of the talent behind the paintings.
The colorful paintings are beautiful and expressive… and impressive when you consider the age of the artists. Don’t miss this opportunity to view a collection of truly original artwork.
This exhibit will coincide with two other shows (yet to be announced) and no paintings will be for sale during the show. However, the paintings will be for sale afterwards, and all proceeds go to furthering the Purpura Plastika program. We encourage you to contact Cherie Pitillo at cheriepi [at] gmail [dot] com. We can’t think of a worthier cause.

City Museum Gallery

Oh how Merida has changed! Twenty local artists mount an exhibit of works that speak to how Merida has changed over the years. Open until mid August.

Art in Merida

Once a sleepy small-town art world dominated by Fernando Castro Pacheco, whose murals grace the walls of the Palacio del Gobierno (Governor ’s Palace), Merida now has an emerging art scene, funded by government interest and fueled by an increasingly international population. The government of the past administration brought many artists from around Mexico and the world to exhibit here, opening additional gallery and museum spaces. The museums also expanded beyond their four walls and took art into the streets. And artists began congregating here for the same reason the rest of the world is coming to Merida … for its beauty, its peace and its way of life.

The new government seems to be making a concerted effort to recognize local artists, and some of them are incredibly accomplished. The international influence isn’t going away either … through the museums and the private galleries, artists from Cuba to New York (and beyond) are being seen and appreciated by the local aficionados. And through the influence of the many artists who have come to live here from around the world, we expect that new artists, events and venues will continue to be added to this list, which includes museums and galleries.

We have grouped the listing by district, to make it easy to use for a walk around Merida’s art world. And we’ve created a map that you can print out to take on your travels, and help you plan your day. Click to see the map here. You can also pick up a printed version of this map at many of the hotels, restaurants and galleries in downtown Merida, as well as at the City Information booths located in the Governor’s Palace and at the Jose Peon Contreras Theatre.

Colonia Mejorada

Yucatan Museum of Popular Art (Museo de Arte Popular de Yucatan)

The Yucatan Museum of Popular Art is located in the historic home of the Molina family that dates back to the early 20th century. You will find it on the corner of Calle 57 and Calle 59 facing the Mejorada Park. Once inside you pay a small entrance fee of MX $30.00 (admission fee for the general public), and will most likely be greeted by director Addy Rosa Cuaik. In the museum are examples of the traditional folk art of the people in various regions of Mexico, including traditional clothing, jewelry, pottery, masks, and ceramics, with featured exhibits changing every three to four months.

Once a family home, the museum maintains the structure of various small salas, or rooms, and there are two floors of them to explore. You also might want to swing by the gift shop on your way out, as the art is not for sale in the museum but at the gift shop you can purchase a artful souvenir from your visit.

Current Exhibit: Opening March 5, Arte Textil Maya, a collection from the Textile Center of Mundo Maya. The exhibit will be shown for approximately 3 months.
Mundo Maya is a civil organization that promotes conservation of Mayan Textiles and techniques. They are part of Fomento Cultural Banamex. The whole exhibit includes more than 800 pieces. In Chiapas they even have a whole museum for textile art. For a review on the show and pictures check this page.
Location: Calle 50 No.487 between 57 & 59
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30am – 6:30pm, Tuesday through Saturday Guided Tours 11:00am – 5:30pm, Sunday 9:00am – 2:00pm
Admission: General Public $30 pesos, Students w/ ID $15 pesos, children under 12 years and senior citizens have free access at all times and Sundays are free for everyone!
Website: Coming soon!

Galeria Merida

Galeria Merida features contemporary and fine art by local Yucatecan artists. The new location is in a renovated colonial, so several exhibition rooms have very high-ceilings and charming traditional tile floors. Farther back are two connected enclosed patio gardens where outdoor sculptures are exhibited. The very front of the gallery has a boutique featuring smaller art pieces for sale, along with postcards, note cards, small prints, and more.

The gallery is run by partners Paula Seivert, an expat from New York who came to Merida in 2002, and Ivan R. de Leon, a professional photographer born and raised in Merida. Galeria Merida opened almost exactly four years ago in another location on Calle 53 near the Merida English Library. Things went so well that Paula and Ivan felt they needed a larger space to showcase and accommodate all the talent they were finding. Their ever-changing exhibits include painting, sculpture, garden sculpture, multimedia and photography. You might also find local artists using the outdoor space in the back for workshops and studios.
Galeria Merida is also open every Sunday morning from 9 am to 11 am, serving up coffee with music and art.

Current Exhibit: A new show of prints and paintings called Bitacoras by Juan Cano opens Friday, July3 at 8:00PM
Location: Calle 59 #452A between 52 & 54
Phone: (999) 924-0117
Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday 10:00- 3:00 pm.
Admission: Free
Website: www.galeriamerida.com

La Perifería

This new little gallery bills itself as a center for cultural documentation, investigation and production. A group of young Yucatecan artists have come together in this space to create and report on the art scene in the southeast of Mexico.

Current Exhibit: TBD. Check their event calendar here.
Location: Calle 54 #468 between 53 y 55
Hours: Monday- Friday from 4:00 PM to 8 PM
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.galerialaperiferia.com/

 

The Yucatan Music Museum (Museo de La Canción)

The Music Museum is a hidden gem of a museum that is not talked about much in guide books for English-speaking tourists. It is true that none of the signage or literature in the museum is in English, but if you have a smattering of Spanish, you can walk through the museum and be in awe of the vast history and importance that Yucatecan music has had nationally and internationally in the past. The music that you hear on the streets, in the trova bars and on KYUC (92.9 FM) today was born during Merida’s bella epoca in the early 20th Century. This was music that was heard around the world and made many Yucateco musicians famous.

The museum is housed in yet another beautiful old home, surrounding a large open courtyard that is the site of outdoor concerts on occasion. (check our Calendar page where concerts will be added as we find out about them).

Location: Calle 57 # 466 x 48 y 50
Hours: Tu- Fri 9:00  am to 5:00  pm,  Sat-Sun 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Closed on Mondays
Admission: $20 pesos
Website: http://www.yucatan.com.mx/especiales/museos/

Plaza Grande

Olimpo

The Centro Cultural de Merida Olimpo, most commonly referred to as just the Olimpo, is a cultural institute in Merida, and is located in the center of downtown just across from the Plaza Grande. The Olimpo not only houses the city’s very important and well-known Arcadio Poveda Ricalde Planetarium on the lower level of the building, but also contains a bookstore , a café restaurant with outdoor tables and a multi-roomed art exhibition space. The Olimpo was once an historic building, similar to the Ayuntamiento (Municipal Building) next door, but was torn down and rebuilt in the mid-20th century. The large space is quite modern and is an ongoing setting for art exhibits, films, talks and small conferences.

Current Exhibit: Octavio Peniche González has his first solo exhibit in Sala 1. His abstract paintings are meant to evoke the movements of snakes and light, no doubt in reference to the light effect on Chichen Itza during the solstice. The works will be on display until the first week in July. Also showing Geometric compositional paintings by the artist known as Selegna through July 5th. Finally, Monstruous de la razón (Monsters of Reason) is a show of 79 works by Spanish painter Francisco de Goya. We encourage everyone who cares about art to visit this exhibit of a world reknowned artist brought to Merida by a cultural program between our city and the city of Alteo in Spain. The show opens June 30 and stays open until August 30.
Location: Corner of Calle 62 & 61 Centro Historico
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am – 8:00 pm
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.merida.gob.mx/turismo/

 

Governor’s Palace (Palacio del Gobierno)

Striking murals line the walls of this turn-of-the-century government building. The murals tell the quite dramatic history of the Yucatan and were painted by the aforementioned famous Yucateco painter, Fernando Castro Pacheco. The artists still lives in Merida and continues to paint in his distinctive style, which many have copied but none have equaled. The murals which are on display here were completed between 1971 and 1979 and are probably the most outstanding examples of the artist’s work. In addition, the dramatic visions of the Yucatan that the murals depict are the manner in which many visitors and residents are introduced to the unique history of this area.
Location: Corner of Calle 61 and Calle 60
Hours: Almost all the time, every day. Government building.
Admission: Free
Website: Read about the murals and Fernando Castro Pacheco on Wikipedia.

Galería del Pasaje Picheta

Tucked inside an indoor shopping mall next to the Governor’s Palace is a small gallery. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by!
Current Exhibit: Pinceladas de sentimiento (Brushstrokes of Feelings) is the name of the exhibit of paintings by Mariza Briceño López  from now until July 5 2009.

Location: Inside the Pasaje Picheta, next to the Governor’s Palace on Calle 61
Hours: 11 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Sunday
Admission: Free

MACAY

The MACAY is the central repository of modern (post-colonial) art in Merida. MACAY stands for Museo de Contemporaneo Ateneo de Yucatan (Yucatan Museum of Contemporary Art), and it is located within a government-owned building in the center of downtown, on Pasaje de la Revolucion. The large historical building was once the city’s armory and its construction dates back to the mid 1500s. It was officially born as the MACAY after the local community petitioned for a place to host a city art museum, a charter which it takes very seriously.

The museum displays permanent exhibitions of three well-known local artists, an educational exhibit that walks the viewer through the world history of art, and several spacious (and air-conditioned) salas with temporary art exhibitions that change every 3 or 4 months.

The entrance to the museum is reached through a pedestrian walkway (the aforementioned Pasaje) that is ornamented with an ever-changing outdoor sculpture exhibit, a part of the city’s outdoor sculpture efforts. The most beautiful place to enjoy outdoor sculpture in Merida is along Paseo de Montejo, where sculptures line the city’s main avenue, Paseo de Montejo. This sculpture exhibit changes yearly and is sponsored by the MACAY museum. Each year, it features works from Mexico and another country. The 2008 exhibit features sculptures from Mexican and German sculptors around the theme of ecology.

Once inside the museum, turn left to go to one of the temporary exhibit spaces, or go into the garden and up the stairs to see the majority of the exhibition rooms. Exhibits feature local, national and international artists, with a preference for artists from within Mexico. There is a library and coffee shop downstairs inside the museum. Before you move on, take a moment to enjoy the lovely garden with flora of the region located in the center of the building. On your way out, stop by the gift shop and pick up a memento from your visit.

Current exhibit: Two exhibits in one, continuing the celebration of the MACAY’s 15th birthday. The first presents works by artists from eight Mexican states, including Yucatan, Durango, Chihuahua, Zacatecas and more. The second exhibit is presented by ING, and includes rural and urban landscapes from their extensive collection of Mexican art. Not to be missed. Exhibits will continue until the end of June.Opening of the 3rd installment in the birthday celebration opens June 17 at 8 pm.
Location: Entrance now on Calle 60 between Calle 61 and 63. Sculpture exhibit in the Pasaje de la Revolucion between the Cathedral San Idelfonso and the MACAY Museum.
Hours: Wednesday – Monday 10:00am – 6:00pm,
Friday & Saturday open until 8:00pm. Closed on Tuesday
Admission: Free
Website: www.macay.org

Amaro Restaurant Gallery

This lovely restaurant with a peaceful courtyard just off busy Calle 59 has turned it’s walls into gallery space, making a great place to get a cool drink and enjoy some local art. While you sit there, you can also enjoy the historic fact that the restaurant was originally the house where Sr. Quintana Roo was born, after whom Yucatan’s neighboring state was named. You can also often enjoy live music.
Current Exhibit: Barbara McClatchie is an expat from Canada who lives in Merida and has her own gallery (In La’akech) downtown. This exhibit is a retrospective of her abstract photographs from 2005-2009.
Location: Calle 59 #507 x 60 y 62
Hours: 11 am to 2 am
Website: www.restauranteamaro.com
Admission: Free

 

Merida City Museum (Museo de La Ciudad)

The Merida City Museum is in its new location in the former post office building of Merida, and if you are visiting the city’s central mercado, you can’t miss it! The building is not only large and beautifully designed, but with its crystal chandeliers, its paint of coral pink and its distinctive checkerboard mansard roof, it is probably one of the prettiest buildings in Merida , and one of the most perfectly restored.

The three-story museum has free admission and is air-conditioned as well (major plus on a hot day!). The ground floor is divided into two halves by a central staircase and houses the permanent exhibition of artifacts from the history of Merida. On one side of the staircase are artifacts from the Mayan city of T’ho, including a recreated ancient burial site that was found inside the city , and from the colonial period when Spanish conquistadors took over. The other section features artifacts from the various centuries in Merida after the Spanish conquest, including religious statues, fine China, decorations, clothing and other examples of life from Merida’s past. A walk up the stairs or an elevator ride will take you up to the 2nd floor, which sometimes features temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art from local artists. Admire the art in these lovely renovated rooms, and then walk out onto the balcony of the building and enjoy the view to the city’s downtown.

Current exhibit: Devenives or Becoming… Merida in its Time, is the name of the show consisting of works by 20 artists that speak to how Merida has changed over the years. Works by Samuel Barrera, Alonso Gutiérrez, Nicholas Lavaroff, Henry Ponce and others. Open until mid August.

Also Showing: Opening June 12, the art of Gustavo Romano will be on exhibit in a show called Gramarobótica (Robotic Grammar… sort of. It’s a made-up word).  The artist is the winner of a 2006 Guggenheim scholarship, has exhibited all over the world (Singapore, Peru, Argentina, Spain, Cuba, Brazil, Germany, etc.) and is coming to Merida with his installation. The show opens at 7:30 PM on Friday, June 12 and will be installed until June 30.

Current Exhibit at the gallery (upstairs): Identities
31 local artists are brought together showing works that represent little pieces of Merida… traditional candies, people from small towns, traditional fruits, etc. Every painting, photo and sculpture is included to represent a piece of Yucatecan identity, as expressed by the Yucatecan and extranjero artists living here.
Location: Old Post Office Building At Calle 65 by 56
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9:00am – 8:00pm,
Saturday & Sunday 9:00am – 2:00pm
Admission: Free
Website: www.merida.gob.mx/capitalcultural/galeria_arte/ and you can also read about it in this Yucatan Living article.

 

Galería at the University Cultural Center (UADY)

Another small art space downtown is run by the Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan (UADY), the very respectable university that has locations and schools scattered all over the Merida area. Here in downtown, they have a beautiful building across from the Jose Peon Contreras Theatre where many cultural events take place. Just off the central courtyard on the ground floor is a three-room gallery with changing exhibits.

Current Exhibit: María José Roche and her husband Camilo Otero Rejón are presenting a joint show called Los Trabajos y los días (Work and the Days).  9 sculptures and 7 paintings are representing the days of the week.
Location: Calle 60 at Calle 57 inside the UADY building
Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Saturday: 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, Sunday: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.uady.mx/universidad/edificio.html

 

Arte, Puros y Café

About halfway between the Plaza Grande and the Santa Ana District is this gallery, cigar store and café. The gallery specializes in contemporary Cuban art and artists and the owner, Oscar Suarez Garcia, maintains a blog (in Spanish) about art in general, writing on such subjects as Art as Investment. The gallery is set up to make purchasing of art both rewarding and easy. The gallery maintains a bank in the US, offers comprehensive shipping services and always provides detailed information about the artist.
Location: Calle 62 # 449e x Calle 53 y Calle 51, Centro
Phone: 999-923-2130
Hours: Monday through Friday, 2 pm to 7 pm. Weekends by appointment
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.artecubaonline.com

 

Yucatan Painting Gallery (Pinocateca del Estado de Yucatan)

This tiny museum is located inside the Iglesia de la Tercera Orden, the Church of the Third Order, which faces Calle 60 at Calle 59. The entrance to the museum is on the Calle 59 side of the church. In its cavernous exhibit rooms, you can view paintings, books and various artifacts from the colonial era in Yucatan that are owned by the Catholic Church.
Location: Calle 59 at Calle 60 inside the church

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 8 pm , Sunday 8:00 am 2 pm
Admission: $10 pesos
Website: http://www.yucatan.com.mx/especiales/museos/museo_pinacoteca.asp

 

Jose Peon Contreras Gallery

Downstairs at the theatre, to the left of the main staircase, is the entrance to one half of this beautiful art space. The site of many modern and avant-garde art exhibits, the main exhibit area of the Jose Peon Contreras Gallery is as modern an exhibit space as you will find in Merida. The second exhibit area has its entrance on the callejon, the walk-street next to the Theatre. It is smaller but often has very interesting exhibits.

Location: Calle 60 at the corner of Calle 57, downstairs inside the Jose Peon Contreras Theater .
Hours: Tu- Sun: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Admission: Free
Current Exhibit: TBD

Allianz Francaise

The Allianz Francaise now has a second location in the historic centro (Calle 56 between Calle 55 and 57), which includes an art gallery.
Current Exhibit: TBD
Location: Calle 23 #117 at Calle 24, Colonia México
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 to 1:30 and 4:00 to 7:30 pm, Saturday 9:00am to 1:00 pm
Admission: Free

 

Art on the Street

On Saturdays and Sundays, it is traditional for artists to show and sell their work in the Parque de la Maternidad. Artists set up their offerings and spend the day and evenings, talking to the passers by. Not all the art here is great, but occasionally, something wonderful will strike your fancy and you’ll be glad you walked by.

Location: Calle 60 in the park between the Jose Peon Contreras Theater and the Iglesia de la Tercera Orden.
Hours: dusk til about midnite
Admission: Free

 

Galería Manolo Rivero

The late Manolo Rivero was a native Yucatecan who traveled the world and collected modern art. He created one of the city’s most fascinating hotels (Hotel Trinidad Galería) and the gallery is located within the hotel. Enter from the corner of Calles 60 and 51 and step into another world. Now the group that is running the gallery is called Frontground and they are calling it an "artistic research center". The gallery promotes emerging artists from around the world and has a residence program. Even if the formal gallery space itself is not open, the lobby and hallways of the hotel are as good as the gallery (maybe better!) and unlike anything you’ve ever seen….we promise!

Current exhibit:  The latest show, Cochambre (a word that indicates “disgusting stuff that sticks to things”), is opening on April 24. The drawings in the exhibit are by artist Jose Luis Vera.
Location: Calle 60 at the corner of Calle 51
Hours: Check the website
Admission: Free
Website: http://frontground.blogspot.com/

 

Colonia Santa Ana

Centro de Artes Visuales

This spacious one-story museum was a secondary school in its first life. Now it has been repurposed as a showplace for changing exhibits of contemporary art and serves as the anchor for the burgeoning Santa Ana Art District.
Current exhibit: Opening June 19, the art of the children involved in the Purpura Plastika program will be on display. More details to come.
Location: Centro de Artes Visuales del ICY (Center for Visual Arts) Calle 60 x 47 y 45
Admission: Free
Hours:Tu- Sun: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

La Quilla

A little cafe open only at night also serves as an art gallery. La Quilla serves international food, including Italian and Thai dishes. There’s also a bar serving beer, wine and mixed drinks. On the walls, art exhibits of the morealternative kind. And all the time, la Quilla is the place in Merida to hear and see some of the most progressive music (rock, reggae, ska, electronic, etc. ) in town.

Current exhibit:TBD.

Location: Calle 60 #414 between 45 &43
Hours: 9 pm to 2 am
Admission: Free
Website: www.laquilla.blogspot.com/

 

La Luz Galeria

We have just heard that Luz Galeria is now housed in a smaller space with a combination Decoration/Art space.

Current exhibit: The smaller, more compact La Luz Gallery is currently showing works by artists from Mexico, Cuba, France and Australia. Mostly abstract works, with something for every taste and pocketbook. Artists include Carlos Berreiro, Agata Rozanska, Ana Aranda, Chac-pool and more.
Location: Calle 60 #415A between 45 &47 (across from Santa Ana Park)
Hours: Monday –Friday 10:00am – 2:00pm; 4:00pm – 7:00pm, Saturday 10:00am – 7:00pm, Sunday by appointment.
Admission: Free
Website: http://laluzgaleria.com

 

La Casa de los Artistas

Just a block north of La Luz Galeria and Centro de Artes Visuales, you will find the beautiful colonial that serves as both home and gallery space for the artists Melva Medina and Abel Vasquez. (Read the Yucatan Living review of these artists and their work) Walking inside their gallery, you will feel right at home in the presence of these truly gifted artists and their extraordinary creations. The space features mostly their paintings , drawings and sculptures (they are incredibly prolific) but they also showcase a few other guest artists as well (mostly from elsewhere in Mexico ). As a client and visitor, you are encouraged and welcome to take your time to take in the art that surrounds you.

Although they agree that their art is contemporary, Melva describes their art as “figurative ”. Both artists take their cues from the natural world, abstracting and simplifying in some cases, elaborating and intensifying in others. Abel ’s acrylic and watercolor paintings are colorful and somewhat primitive as befits his origins in Oaxaca. His sculptures are sensual, organic and quite stunning. Melva ’s drawings and paintings also draw from nature, but express mystery in a completely different way. Her sculptures are often spatial puzzles that make clever use of negative space. Both artists are collected internationally.

Melva and Abel also conduct art classes in their studio. The classes are conducted in Spanish, though Melva speaks enough English to assist her English-speaking clientele. If you are interested in getting on their mailing list or hearing about upcoming classes, register on their website.

Location: Calle 60 #405 between 43 & 45
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00am – 2:00pm; 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Admission: Free
Website: www.artistsinmexico.com

SoHo Gallery

Soho Galleries is open on Calle 60 between Calles 43 and 41, adding heft to the Santa Ana Art District of Merida Centro. Soho Galleries feature three distinct galleries under one roof, and is named after the famous art district of New York City, the home of one of the owners, Adele Aguirre. The other owner, Nicholas Lavroff, is a photographer who lives here but hails from Australia. His digital images from Australia, the USA and Mexico will be a permanent changing installation in one of the three galleries. The second gallery will feature an ever-changing assortment of local artists. And the third gallery will contain a rotating exhibit of the owners’ large collection of authenticated prints from the Renaissance time period to the present day.

The owners will also be offering gicleé prints of the works in the first two galleries, so that collectors can enjoy the artwork at a lower price without having to buy the original. The Soho Galleries will be the only place in town where you can view art from such a vast range of global talent. And everything in the gallery, from old to new, is for sale!

Current Exhibit: New artists including Viviana Hinojosa and a number of Cuban artists will be showing for the month of June.
Location: Calle 60 #400A x 43 y 41
Hours: TDB
Admission: Free
Website: www.sohogalleriesmx.com

la clínica

Contemporary art in a colonial setting that was once a doctor’s office (thus, the name). Now it’s a place for art… just what the doctor ordered! Besides revolving exhibits of contemporary art from around the world, la clínica promises to also hold events, seminars, classes and will make artist residences available. Check their website here.

Current Exhibit: TBD
Location: Calle 62 #367 x 43 and 45
Telephone: 924-0734
Hours: Tu-Sat 10am-1pm, 4pm-7pm or call for appointment

 

Anthropology Museum

Merida’s Anthropological Museum is located on the beautiful Paseo Montejo just two blocks from Santa Ana Park. The building is called the Palacio Cantón, named after the wealthy Cantón family that built it at the turn of the 20th Century. It is Merida’s most stunning example (that is open to the public) of Baroque-Mannerist architecture from that period and is exquisitely restored and maintained.

If you can tear your gaze away from the architecture, you’ll be treated to a well-designed museum about the history of mankind on the Yucatan Peninsula, with exhibits ranging from bones and skulls to pottery, jewelry, stone carvings and much more. Upstairs is the temporary exhibit space. Past exhibits have included Edward Curtis photography of North American indigenous Indians and a very interesting exhibit about tattoos and body art. Downstairs is a book and gift shop.
Current exhibit: The current exhibit is called Vajillas para Reyes, Vajillas para todos (Plates for Kings, Plates for Everyone). Come and see over 110 plates, cups, bowls and other serving dishes used by Mayans. Some are 1000 years old and look brand new. The exhibit includes pieces from Guatemala, Belize and Chiapas, as it was customary to give ceramic pieces as gifts to visitors.

Also Showing: An exhibit of photographs of children in death, La Muerte Niña.  The photographs on display are by Romualdo Garcia, who plied his trade in Guanajuato before and during the Mexican Revolution. This is a special opportunity to view these uniquely Mexican tableaus. Open until late August.
Location: Paseo Montejo at Calle 45
Hours: Open Tuesday through Saturday 8:00 am-8:00 pm, Sunday 8:00 am-2:00 pm
Admission: $37 pesos (Free on Sundays)
Website: http://www.yucatan.com.mx/especiales/montejo/

 

Casa Museo Montes Molina

One of Paseo Montejo’s most beautiful mansions was renovated and opened originally for rentals by private parties. Now that same building has been repurposed as a museum… an entire Beaux Artes mansion originally built in 1902 by one of Merida’s wealthiest and most powerful families, now renovated to perfect condition, completely furnished in period pieces and open to the public.

For security reasons, they keep the front door closed - but they are open! Wander around toward the offices in the back, and a gardener or someone will point you in the right direction. That might seem a little strange to a visitor, but you live here… you know how things are!

Location: Paseo Montejo between 33 and 35
Hours: Museum and guided tours open Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM; Saturday, 9 AM - 1 PM. Closed Sunday.
Admission: $50 pesos, $25 Children
Website: http://www.laquintamm.com/

 

Universidad Interamericana del Norte - Casa de Cultura

Another gallery on Paseo Montejo in a building that has undergone through many changes over the last few years (one of its recent incarnations was a store selling parabrisas (windshields… literally ‘against breezes’). This lovely colonial is now a university Casa de Cultura featuring paintings, photography and sculpture.

Current Exhibit: Las voces de la brisa (Voices of the breeze) is the name of the current show, consisting of paintings featuring the sea, in honor of summer. The show will be open until June 20.
Location: Paseo Montejo #498 at Calle 45
Hours: M-F, 9 AM to 3 PM

 

Art on Sundays

Every Sunday in front of the VIPS on Paseo de Montejo, 20-30 local Merida artists set up their easels and make their works available for sale directly to the public. The art includes paintings, photography, sculptures and multimedia… there is some wonderful work there! Treat yourself to a lovely stroll under the trees, and get to know the artists behind some of the best work being made in Merida today. Some artists, like the painter Lobo, ONLY show their art here. If you want to discover something new and exciting, and buy it directly from the artist, this is the place to go.

Location: Paseo de Montejo south of Avenida Cupules (the corner of WalMart and the Fiesta Americana), starting in front of the VIPS.
Hours: 10 am until about 1 pm
Admission: Free

 

Santiago

galeria tataya

West of the Santa Ana district, near Santiago Park, is galeria tataya, one of Merida’s most valued galleries. The owners, Francois and Gerardo, came to Merida from Belgium and Venezuela, via London, bringing with them years of experience in antiques and art. In this two-room gallery, you can take your time to enjoy the art displayed around you.  And what’s not to enjoy? The gallery is filled with hand-selected and unique pieces, ranging from high-quality artesanias (handcrafts from Mexico), to an exquisite collection of contemporary paintings, drawings, and photography.
The owners speak English and are happy to talk to you about each special piece in the gallery. The rooms are luxuriously filled with comfortable sofas and chairs, allowing you to take all the time you need to experience their permanent exhibit of exquisite Cuban art, including many works by Wilfredo Barceló. Their collection of Cuban art is the largest in Merida, with more than 120 works, ranging from oil paintings to graphics and installations. There is also a wide variety of Mexican artists, most from D.F. (Mexico City), and always new quality Mexican handcrafts from the owners’ extensive travels around Mexico.
tataya is one gallery in Merida that is sure to delight the serious art collector and art enthusiast with a constant parade of new works by both famous and emerging artists.

Current Exhibit: Paintings by Cuban artist Wilfrido Barceló, extensive artcrafts from all over Mexico and paintings by young Mexican artist.
Location: Calle 72 # 478 x 53 y 55, Centro
Open: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm, 4:00pm-7:00pm or by appointment.
Tel: (999) 9282962
Admission: Free
Website: www.tataya.com.mx

 

Georgia’s House

The artist Georgia Charuhas is a prolific and gifted artist whose house is her gallery. Georgia’s paintings are uniquely soulful and her vision provides the viewer with insight and recognition of the relationship between humans, animals and the earth.

Georgia will open her house to interested collectors or fellow artists. Her classical training and years of experience in art can also be contracted for art lessons and critiques.

Open: By Appointment Only. Call 923-0495 or email artoriginals1"at"yahoo.com
Admission: Free
Website: www.georgiacharuhas.com

 

Galeria Maya

Galeria Maya is the brainchild of Robert Moore, an expat who divides his time between Merida and San Francisco, and his Yucatecan partner Oscar. Together, they hope to bring a new look at local art in the Yucatan. Check out the lovely little gallery they have created just up the street from Galeria Tataya.

Current Exhibit: TBD
Location: Calle 72 # 464 x 51 y 53
Open: Monday - Saturday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Closed on Sunday.
Admission: Free

 

Casa Catherwood

Another lovingly restored colonial houses a very special permanent art exhibit. This French colonial townhouse has been renovated to perfection. Inside this architectural jewel is a gift shop, a coffee shop, a meeting room and an art gallery. Starting in January 2008, in addition to the upstairs gallery, a downstairs gallery will be devoted to temporary exhibits.

Upstairs two rooms are dedicated to the owner’s exquisite and complete collection of Frederick Catherwood’s lithographs from his journey to the Yucatan in the mid-19th Century. Stand in front of these depictions of Mayan ruins as they were when they were discovered and be transported to another time and place.

Current Exhibit: As always, the Catherwood lithographs are on display upstairs.
Location: Calle 59 #572 at Calle 72, Centro
Open: Daily 9 :00am-2:00pm , 5 :00pm- 9 :00pm. Restaurant open from 5 pm til midnite.
Admission: Free downstairs. $50 pesos per person to see the lithographs in the upstairs gallery.
Website: www.casa-catherwood.com

 

Juan Pablo Bavio Galería

Juan Pablo Bavio, a local artist born in Argentina, has a gallery showing more than 20 paintings that are mostly portraits of indigenous people. You can learn more about Juan Pablo and his art at his website: www.artistaplasticobavio.com
Location: Calle 59, #539 x 66 y 68
Hours: 10 am and 2 pm, and 4 pm and 9 pm
Telephone: 999 953 3148

 

Northern Merida

Mercer Cigars

The city’s only smokeshop with a walk-in humidor and bar in the back has started to use it’s wallspace to exhibit works by local artists. So if you’re traveling up Paseo de Montejo towards Gran Plaza or other points north, stop by and check out the latest exhibit.

Current exhibition: Mercer Cigars is proud to present some works from the renowned Manolo Rivero Collection. The opening night will be Friday, June 5th, and through the entire month of June, there will be pieces, with names such as local artist Gabriel Ramirez, Mexicans Jose Luis Cuevas, Gustavo Monroy and Francisco Toledo, Cuban Jose Bedia and others.
Location: 85-3 Prolongación Montejo (next door to La Parilla and just past Office Depot)
Open: Daily Noon to Midnight
Admission: Free

Habemus Gallery

A private gallery featuring the artwork of three local female painters: Sandra Nikolai, Ana Rosa Aguilar and Rosa Elena Palma.
Location: Calle 11 # 101E, x 20 y 22, Colonia Mexico
Open: 10 am to 1:30 pm, 4:30 pm to 8 pm Monday through Friday. Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm.
Admission: Free
Website: www.habemusgaleria.com

 

Galerias Merida

Galerias Merida is the name for the exhibit space within the new Galerias Shopping Mall behind Liverpool. Now you can go shopping, see a movie and catch an art exhibit too! To find out more about the mall, check their website.

Current exhibition:TBD
Location: Inside the Galerias Merida Shopping Mall on the road to Progreso
Open: Daily 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Admission: Free

 

Southern Merida

Zoma Contemporary Art Center

The center has run as an art school for the past three years, teaching painting, sculpture and serigraphy. Additionally, the center houses a library with approximately 1000 books about mid-20th century Mexican painters. What an excellent resource!

Current exhibition:This center will now have on display more than 100 works by painters such as Rufino Tamayo, Raúl Anguiano, Francisco Toledo and others
Location: Calle 69 between Calles 34 and 32
Open: TBD
Admission: Free

 

Gallery in La’Kech

Gallery in La’Kech is a non-profit gallery on the increasingly fashionable south side of the zocalo, started by photographer Barbara McClatchie. Her loft-like renovated space shows one or two-man exhibits of both new and established artists.

Current Exhibit: The title of the exhibition, "At the End of Emptiness" begs the question "What is left" to which Lizette replies that "at the end of the emptiness what is left is my imagination". And it is a fertile one.Lizette Abraham is a conceptual artist whose work explores the received wisdom of her culture, its technology and the freedom and limitation it affords the artist who interprets them. Her images are simultaneously self-portraits serving, she says, as a "way of finding the person who lives inside me and whose strange voice shouts and pushes at the walls of my pent-up thoughts". These portraits, which are in turn amusing and sad, serve, then, to canalize and clarify the pain and pleasure of the artist in search of self.
Location: Calle 60 # 595A between 73 and 75
Hours: By previous appointment only. Contact owner through website.
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.galeriainlakech.com/

 

Merida Museum of Fine Art: Joseph Kurhajec Art Studio

Transplanted artist Joseph Kurhajec is opening his workshop, calling it the Merida Museum of Fine Art.

Current Exhibit: Ceramics, sculpture, paintings and more by Joseph Kurhajec. Check out some of his work on this website.
Location: Calle 60 #633A between Calle 77 and Calle 79
Hours: TBD
Admission: Free

 

Galería Victoria

The (so far) eastern-most gallery in Merida, Galeria Victoria features local artists not seen in other galleries in town. Also occasionally hosts events in concert with the art on the walls.

Current Exhibit: Art by Juan Pablo Mendoza, Aurea Palma, Lorein Toohey, Conchi Sanchez and our good friend Jose Gongora, whose new works of birds, butterflies and flowers are quite astounding!
Location: Calle 44 x 63 y 61
Hours: Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9am-12pm and 4pm-7pm, Saturdays from 8am to 1 pm
Admission: Free

 

When to see art in Merida

The best days for your art tour would be Wednesday through Saturday, as some of the locations are not open on Sundays, Mondays, or Tuesdays. Museums tend to open and close earlier than galleries, so plan accordingly. If you want to see the sculptures on Paseo Montejo, we suggest early morning or evening. The sculpture walk is a perfect reason to stroll down Paseo Montejo at night (the sculptures are lit) and enjoy the ambiance as well as the art.

In Closing…

As always, we will strive to keep this listing up to date with the most recent information. If you know of other galleries or art venues that should be included here, please leave a comment below and we will add them to the list.

While it is indeed possible to amass a stunning art collection from local artists of varying styles , thankfully Merida now has a growing number of galleries also showing artists from around Mexico and the rest of the world. There is art here for every taste and every pocketbook.

But as we all know, there is never enough art, here in Merida or anywhere else in the Universe, to fill the soul.

 

Editors Note: A million muchissimas gracias go out to Sarah Bogdanski, without whose tireless efforts gathering and consolidating information and taking some of the photos for this article, it would never have gotten off the ground. Also, kudos and ongoing appreciation to the amazing Beatriz, whose continuing tireless efforts and editing help to keep this listing accurate.