FONART Los Pinos

FONART Los Pinos acts as a super highquality gift shop for the overall Los Pinos Cultural Complex. One of the few FONART outlets in Mexico City, this one is at home in the Casa Adolfo Ruiz Cortines, on the grounds of Los Pinos. The shop carries unique and invaluable artisan products – pottery, textiles, handcrafts, and decorative items – from all over Mexico. Much of it needs to be seen to be believed. There’s a lot that’s handily affordable too.

The house was built in 1953 by then-President Adolfo Ruiz Cortines. His administration ran from 1952 through 1958, and his former home in Veracruz is a museum too. During the administration, the home was occupied by the President’s stepson, Mauricio Locken. The house was occupied by other members of Presidential families since then, including the mother of President Miguel de la Madrid (1982-1988). Later, it was adapted to serve as offices and barracks for the Presidential general staff.

• FONART is the Fondo Nacional para el Fomento de las Artesanías, i.e.; the National Fund for the Support of Artisans. It’s a public trust fund founded by the Federal Government and administered today under the Secretary of Culture. The fund was begun in 1974 with the intention of promoting and disseminating Mexican artisan goods while supporting the artists. FONART also provides support for training and technical assistance, production support in the purchase of raw materials, preventative health measures, community-based purchases at fair prices, and sales through the FONART stores, national and international fairs and exhibitions, artisan competitions, strategic projects, and support for workshops and outlets in areas of tourism.

The shop is just a few minutes walk north from the Metro Constituyentes station. Use the Parque Lira entrance to Los Pinos.