Museum of Popular Art (Museo de Arte Popular) MAP

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A showcase for the roots, traditions, and artistic skills of the Mexican people and cultures, the Museum of Popular Art displays an enormous cultural wealth. A fusion of Spanish and indigenous worldviews, the museum also highlights the close relationship between artisans and the lush biodiversity that inspires them.

The Museum of Popular Art collection includes more than 3,000 donated works installed in the permanent collection galleries: Pottery, Alfeñique, Plant fibers, Cerería, Toys, Maque or Lacquer, Lapidary, Wood works, Masks, Metalwork, Miniatures, Gold, Paper and Cardboard, Popular painting, Leather work, Textiles, Glass and ephemeral Metals.

Temporary exhibitions also give voice to the country’s artisans. Alternative activities like wood carving workshops, puppet shows, films, storytelling, are often a part of a normal museum day. And the museum hosts two-hour children’s workshops on weekends.

At home in a historically significant art déco one-time firehouse, the Museum has a great shop, and even  several satellite shops in the city. Authentic Mexican handicrafts of the highest quality brighten just about any day.

Night of the Alebrijes

The Museum of Popular Art’s most important and popular event is a parade which coincides each year with the annual citywide Day of the Dead celebrations.

Titled La Noche de los Alebrijes (Night of the Alebrijes), the event is organized by the Museo de Arte Popular in collaboration with the city government. Alebrijes compete for first, second, and third prizes , and after the parade,winners are chosen and events such as the Alebrije Puppet Contest and the Alebrije Short Story Contest take place.

• The museum is just one part of old San Juan Moyotlan. See the rest here.