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Los Amigos Del Arte Popular is a national, non-profit organization comprised of collectors and aficionados of Mexican folk art. Practiced by Mexico’s indigenous people, and melding both originally Mexican and Spanish colonial art, Mexican folk art has a rich tradition which we invite you to explore here. Our website showcases the popular art of Mexico including danced masks, lacquer ware, clay pottery, paper mache and more.  You will also find Pre-Colombian art and Spanish Colonial art as well as art inside the small museums of Mexico.

Spotlighting Mexican Artisans – Guadalupe Garcia Rios

Guadalupe Garcia Rios Unique Ceramics

UNIQUE HI-FIRED CERAMICS

Guadalupe Garcia Rios has been making pottery for over 24 years. Her specialty is ceramic alta temperature (high temperature/high-fire ceramics). Fired at over 1250 degrees centigrade and lead-free, Guadalupe’s designs and creativity are unparalleled.

Guadalupe is rapidly gaining recognition as a high quality producer of ceramics and is much sought after. Her designs are inspired in part by pre-Hispanic designs but also from the countryside and nature. The high volcanic peaks, Continue reading →

Spotlighting Mexican Artisans – Ruth Cortes Rodriguez

photo of Ruth Cortés Rodriguez

Ruth Cortés Rodriguez lives in the state of Guanajuato. She is a silversmith extraordinaire working in Alpaca. Alpaca is not sterling silver but close. “Alpaca” is a trade name for nickel silver and electro-plated nickel silver and is used primarily in Souca, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries. Originally named for its silver-white color, Alpaca is also referred to as German Silver or New Silver.

The alpaca Ruth works with is composed of 10% silver, with varying percentages of copper, zinc or nickel. Alpaca does not lose its brightness over time, does not get rusty, and doesn’t peel off. On the contrary, it becomes brighter with daily sunlight, cleaning, and use! The result is a bright, resistant and beautiful alloy. Continue reading →

Spotlighting Mexican Artisans – Miguel Paredes, Day of the Dead Art

Photo of MIguel Paredes art object

Miguel Paredes is 50 years old and has been working at his craft of making art objects for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) for over 20 years. His folk art has been passed down through the generations from his grandfather to his father and now to him.

Miguel and his wife, Lilia, live in the state of Puebla, Mexico where he handcrafts calaveras de barro (clay skeletons), nichos (shadow boxes, dioramas), and all types of objects that have been made in Mexico for decades.

They are typical of the lighthearted satire that is classic in Mexican Day of the Dead art. The art is fun and festive and not meant to poke fun at the dead, but rather to honor them… Continue reading →