The New Kid In Town
A new gallery has come to Merida. Galeria Quid has opened in the Centro Historico, and will be featuring contemporary abstract works in the tradition of abstract geometry, suprematism and expressionism. Contemporary artists who will be showing in the future include Julie Mehretu, Raha Raissinia, Todd Arsenault and Reed Danziger.

A New Venue

What started as a passing interest has turned into a gallery. Mercer Cigars has become the latest addition to a growing list of places to view (and buy) art here in Merida. The owner, Drew, started with his personal art collection on the wall of his store, bar and smoking room. Later, he added a "show" as a favor to a friend and his clients. He liked the results so much, he’s decided to make it official. Each month his walls will feature the work of a new artist, opening on the first Friday of the Month. Each show will continue until the first Wednesday of the following month.

This month, the walls of Mercer Cigars feature the art of Jose Luis Garcia. A graduate of UNAM’s art school in Mexico City, Jose Luis is a painter, illustrator, photographer, teacher and more. Check out his exhibit at Mercer Cigars anytime until Wednesday, October 1.

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.

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. In addition to the permanent exhibits , the museum will also be involved with a childrens program beginning in October. This program will help local children learn to make their own handcrafts using elements of the traditional Mexican artesanias.

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: TBD
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: Four local artists share the walls of Galeria Merida until September 18. Michel Maugee, Liz Briceño, Gerardo Espejo and Georgia Charuhas.
Location: Calle 59 #452A between 52 & 54
Phone: (999) 924-0117
Hours: Wednesday – Monday: 10:00am – 6:00pm (or by appointment)
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:God and Goods is an installation by Omar Rosiles. Opens on September 5th to the end of September. Check their event calendar here.
Location: Calle 54 #468 between 53 y 55
Hours: Thursday- Tuesday from 11 AM to 6 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 Events page for concerts held here).

Location: Calle 57 # 466 x 48 y 50
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am to 8 pm
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: Closed until Sep. 5th.
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: Artistic group Purpura Plastika is celebrating its second anniversary and they will be presenting  a show on the Picheta Gallery. Their work can also be seen at the MACAY during the month of September. For more information, check their website at http://www.purpuraplastika.com/

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:All the following shows will be open all summer and close at the end of September. In the Expoforo (the large room in the back of the museum), there is a photography exhibit on the subject of the famous Mexican Lucha Libre by the artist Lourdes Grobet. El Santo, Blue Demon, Tinieblas, Solar, Huracán Ramírez, el Bello Greco, el Perro Aguayo, Aluxe, La Diabólica y Fray Tormenta are just some of the luchadores (fighters) that share their life with the artist (and us) by allowing photographs of their personal life and work. This set of 87 photographs is entitled Espectacular de lucha libre (The Spectacular Free Fight). It is one of the most arresting group of photographs we’ve seen in a long time and alone worth a visit to the MACAY.
In Sala 1, a Retrospective of 20 years of photography by accomplished artists Gerardo Rod, exhibiting 71 images of Yucatán and around the world. Rod photographs scenes from Paris, London, the Vatican, Ballet Classes and much more. Another photographer, Richard Rothman, shows a series of photographs called "Redwood Saw", a striking black and white commentary on the beauty of the natural redwood forests and the human life within close proximity of that beauty. In Sala 11-B, a show entitled ’Mayan Prophecies’ by Terry Rosenberg. Rosenberg wants the spectators of his paintings to consider chaos in the Mayan context. The show consists of seven oil paintings that aim to make the spectators feel their own chaos. In Rooms 9, 10 and 11: Signos en el reflejo de la memoria (Signs in the reflection of memory) is an exhibit of 39 forgettable abstract paintings by Yucatecan artist Pilar Cámara. Her paintings represent passages and instants of her personal life in an abstract way using only three elemental colors: blue for the sky, green for the sea and red for the land of the Maya. Also at the MACAY now, El silencio del agua (The silence of water) by Claudia Alvarez, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, living in the USA, is a set of 7 clay children inspired by her work at a childrens hospital with terminal patients.
Also Showing: To commemorate Youth Month (September) the Macay is opening a show called Mirada Joven (View of Youth) with works by young artists from around the city, from a group known as the Purpura Plastika group. Eleven artists from 19-29 years old will display fifty-one pieces, including photography, installations, paintings, sculptures and more. The show will be open during the entire month of September.
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

 

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. The third floor is closed as of September 2007, but there may be a restaurant opening in the near future!

Current exhibit: In the gallery on the second floor is an exhibit called Tiempo y espacio (Time and space) consisting of 61 works by 57 local artists, including Fernando Castro Pacheco (who painted the wonderful murals in the Governor’s Palace), Beatriz Castillo, Katrin Schikora and more. Works include paintings, photographs, sculptures and installations. The show will be open all summer.
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: None, but you can read about it in this Yucatan Living article.

 

Galeria Quid

Galeria Quid is in the center of the Centro Historico, and features contemporary abstract works in the tradition of abstract geometry, suprematism and expressionism.Operated by Felipe Mazzeo y Wendy Farías is an independent place to show contemporary art of creators such as: Julie Mehretu, Raha Raissinia, Todd Arsenault y Reed Danziger.

Current exhibition: Yucatecan artist Igor F. Solis presents a show called "Nuevas Pinturas y Dibujos" (New painting and drawings). He has influences by Malevich, Bauhaus, Julie Mehretu and others.
Location: 53 # 502 E por 60 y 62
Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 10-1 and 5—9 pm, Saturday  12-6 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.

 

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: TBD
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

 

Enrique Trava Galería de Autor

This artist-run gallery is located in a beautiful old example of colonial and bellas artes architecture. Enrique Trava is a local artist with a very unique style. When he does not have visiting artists exhibiting, his work alone creates a monochromatic vision of the artists’ version of reality.

Current Exhibit: Cosmovisiones (Cosmovisions), a collective exhibit of local artists.
Location: Calle 60 #457 at Calle 53
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.artrava.com.mx

 

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: TBD
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: TBD
Admission: Free

 

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

 

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: TBD
Location: Calle 60 #595A between 73 and 75
Hours: By previous appointment only. Contact owner through website.
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.galeriainlakech.com/

 

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 is work by Bernhard Stuber, an artist who arrived in Merida in 1982 to join his Mexican wife. Now a parttime resident, Bernard is having his first show in Merida with drawings, photos, sketches and art objects. The show will open Friday, August 22 for 15 days. The artist will be present at the opening on Friday night at 8 pm. For further information, check the Frontground website.
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: The show is titled De Generacion en Generacion (From Generation to Generation), and it is an homage to a local Yucatecan muralist, Rolando Arjona Amabilis. Señor Amabilis has been painting since he was fourteen years old, and this year, he celebrated his 88th birthday! The show contains works from 25 students who were influenced by his work when he was a teacher at the famous Esmeralda Art School in Mexico City. A must see!
Location: Centro de Artes Visuales del ICY (Center for Visual Arts) Calle 60 x 47 y 45
Admission: Free
Hours: TBD

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 more alternative 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: Now showing a collective exhibit of works called Animalistica with animal themes. Oink, meow and woof!!
Location: Calle 60 #414 between 45 &43
Hours: 8 pm to 2 am
Admission: Free
Website: www.laquilla.blogspot.com/

La Luz Galeria

La Luz Galeria opened its doors on Calle 60 in December 2006. If you sit on a bench in Santa Ana Park, you can look across the street and see the light of La Luz. Inside is a gallery arranged in a sleek and minimalist style with high ceilings and museum lighting. La Luz features modern and contemporary art for sale. The gallery specializes in artists from nearby Cuba, but also shows local artists.

Current exhibit: Opening July 4 a show by three artists. Rigoberto Mena from Cuba has shown his abstract paintings in Cuba, the US and Europe. Federico Espinosa (Chacpool) hails from Merida, and has been inspired by his travels around the world. Alberto Urzais is a teacher at the local architecture school of UADY and shows his abstract contemporary work. The show continues through the summer.
Location: Calle 60 #415A between 45 &47 (across from Santa Ana Park)
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00am – 2:00pm; 4:00pm – 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

 

 

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.

Current Exhibit: Five artists exhibit on the theme of Sanctuary (Santuario). Joseph Kurhajec presents stones, feather, woods, snails and other materials. Gerardo Espejo  has paintings about seagulls and dancing birds.Carlos Jorge Macari shows his pencil drawings about the sea and Jimena Schlaepfer embroiders on cardboard. Terrence Jon Dyck has an installation with flamingo’s bones found in a handcraft workshop in Ticul.
Location: Calle 62 #367 x 43 and 45
Telephone: 924-0734
Hours: Most days or by 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 Art with Feathers. The show, borrowed from the Museum of Popular Art in Mexico City, features work by Gabriel Olay Olay( born in Michoacan). He makes images with feathers of popular scenes, landscapes, shields, and religious images such as the Virgin of Guadalupe. He and his son are probably the only ones left that know how to work this kind of art. The technique was used by the Purepechas from Michoacan and other prehispanic groups. Check this website for more photos.
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: $36 pesos (Free on Sundays)
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: Works by local artists, including Manuel Acereto, Samuel Barrera, Salvador Baeza, Georgia Charuhas, Diana Peniche, Jorge Espinosa, Collen Casey, Sandra Nikolai and more. Some of these works have not been exhibited elsewhere.
Location: Paseo Montejo #498 at Calle 45
Hours: M-F, 9 to 5 approximately

 

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. 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.

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 , which opened June 2, 2007. The owners, Francois and Gerardo, came to Merida from Belgium and Venezuela, via London . In this one-room gallery they display hand-selected and unique pieces, ranging from 18 th century antiques to high-quality artesanias (handcrafts from Mexico), one-of-a-kind talavera ceramics, intricate carved wood pieces, contemporary paintings, drawings, and photography. One entire wall is filled with magnificent custom-designed wrought-iron creations from Central Mexico.

The owners speak English and are more than thrilled to talk to you about each special piece they have chosen to display. The unique pieces they have acquired by traveling throughout Mexico to offer here in Merida makes it well worth the visit.
Location: Calle 72 #478 x 53 y 55, Centro
Open: Tuesday – Saturday 11:00am-2:00pm, 4:00pm-7:00pm
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

 

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: Ramon Gonzalez exhibits etchings of melancholy landscapes. There is also a comprehensive collection of preserved exotic butterflies, insects, moths, tarantulas, beetles, walking sticks, and more! They all died a natural death and are preserved in glass shadow boxes.

Location: Calle 59 #572 at Calle 72, Centro
Open: Daily 8 :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

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: Jose Luis Garcia shows paintings and drawings from his prodigious career here and in Mexico City. The owner likens his work to "a combination of Peter Max and Mad Max".
Location: 85-3 Prolongación Montejo (next door to La Parilla and just past Office Depot)
Open: Daily Noon to Midnight
Admission: Free

 

Centro Cultural Ricardo Lopez Mendez

A city-run art space in the northern end of the city.

Current exhibition:TBD
Location: Calle 49 #360 x 46 & 48, Cordemex. Take Paseo de Montejo north, past the Gran Plaza. After the traffic
circle, on the right, you’ll see a building shaped like an igloo. Turn right and the Cultural Center is on your right.
Open: Daily 8 :00am-2:00pm , 5 :00pm- 9 :00pm
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

 

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 keep this listing accurate.