LADAP :: Los Amigos del Arte Popular :: Friends of Mexican Folk Art

History of LADAP

In 1996, Los Amigos del Arte Popular was formed in Southern California by a small group of close friends with club activities centering around weekend social events. We visited the homes of various collectors and usually had a tianguis or swap meet. Over the years, we have grown in numbers and purpose.

In 2001, a similar group formed in Houston, Texas with the name Mexican Folk Art Society of Houston. It was almost a year before the two groups found each other and began communicating. The founders in Houston joined the California group and attended a rendezvous in Tucson, Arizona. It wasn't long before the two groups discussed merging and forming a national, non-profit organization and in 2003, the merger was accomplished under the leadership of then President, Dan McCauley.

Our interests are broad: Some of us collect l9th century museum pieces, others tourist pottery, straw mosaics, wooden bas reliefs, talavera, serapes, feather paintings, masks, and lacquer ware – our passions are eccentric and eclectic. Some of us do not collect but consider ourselves enthusiastic aficionados. We are united in our belief that the creative genius of the indigenous people of Mexico melded with the Spanish traditions to produce some of the finest folk art in the world.