National Museum of Watercolors “Alfredo Guati Rojo”

Mexico’s National Museum of Watercolors, (Museo Nacional de la Acuarela “Alfredo Guati Rojo”) is dedicated specifically to watercolor painting. It’s the first such museum in the world.

Artist Alfredo Guati Rojo founded and ran the exhibit archive from 1964 until his death in 2003. Today the museum bears his name too. It’s a surprising universe of color. The museum takes pride in preserving and presenting the work of Mexican and international watercolor artists.  

In southern part of the city, the museum occupies a small house surrounded by a fairly typical Coyoacán garden. The museum is not just the visual work exhibited in the galleries. The house and gardens are also part of the experience. The entire museum is six galleries for the permanent collection. Another gallery hosts temporary exhibitions. There’s also a library. Visitors will find permanent galleries divided into the pre-Hispanic period, the 19th century, and contemporary periods. There’s also a hall for Mexican artists, another for those from other countries, and a final gallery dedicated to the work of Alfredo Guati Rojo.

The Santa Catarina neighborhood of Coyoacán is among the most lovely. Just to the south of the Viveros de Coyoacán forest and park, it’s a neighborhood of crooked, cobbled streets. The Fonoteca Nacional audio recording museum is here, as are multiple historical plaques. These include those marking the home of Dolores del Río, a famous film actress, the Casa del Sol where the 1917 Constitution was signed, and the Monumental Emilio Fernández House which is open to the public. 

The National Museum of Watercolors hosts frequent workshops on watercolor technique and artistry. Check the website for the monthly calendar.

The neighborhood is precisely between the Metros Viveros and Miguel Ángel de Quevedo stations on Metro Line 3.

The museum is open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.