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Feria Maestros del Arte is an art show conceived from a trip in 2002 when a friend and I took a “four-day-adventure-mega-shopping trip” to 16 artisan villages between Ajijic and Pátzcuaro, Michoacán. Clearly, most of the incredible art we were seeing was not being sold anywhere in our area, because as collectors, we would have seen it.

Many artists live in remote areas and it is difficult and expensive for them to attend shows to sell their work. Often, sales are confined to the tianguis (outdoor market) in their puebla (town) or, if they get lucky, to collectors (like me) who manage to track them down at their homes.

I felt strongly that these talented, creative people needed a continuous outlet to sell their work. Mexico’s art is disappearing because artists cannot sustain a living on their art alone. The thought of this trend continuing was more than my heart could bear — something had to be done. I decided to organize a venue where artists could sell their work and all the money they made, they kept — no booth fee or percentage of sales would be charged, and they have no lodging expenses because of our “Hosting Program” where they are placed with local families for the 3 days they are at the show. All they would need to do is get to the show.

The first Feria was in 2002 and I invited 13 artists. In 2009, a total of 69 artists from the states of Chihuahua, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Mexico, Hidalgo, Puebla, Veracruz, Michoacán, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Yucatán gathered together in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico to exhibit and sell their art to collectors, galleries, museum buyers and the general public.

Since its inception, Feria Maestros del Arte has hosted 26 master artists featured in the landmark book “The Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art” published by Fomento Cultural Banamex. A legal Mexican non-profit organization, Feria Maestros del Arte is organized by an army of volunteers; there are no paid personnel. In order that the show is a viable venue for artists to sell their work at trade prices, as stated above, they are charged nothing to attend. In 2009, a US grant paid the artist’s travel expenses — it was the first year they didn’t have to pay a centavo to attend the show.

With much of the cultural diversity of Mexico disappearing, our mission is to facilitate regional and international awareness of the plight of endangered Mexican indigenous art. Toward fostering the preservation and development of this art, now and in the future, the organization provides a yearly exhibition venue for indigenous artists to sell their work to galleries, collectors and museums. We further strive, through collaboration with the Mexican government and entities outside of Mexico, to preserve not just the indigenous art itself, but the culture producing it by giving the artists a viable means to sell their work using their traditional skills both in Mexico and abroad.

Educating the public to the plight of Mexican indigenous and folk art is a high priority of Feria Maestros del Arte. Bringing these artists to the public’s attention increases knowledge of Mexico’s history and heritage issues. Our project enhances the identity and traditional values of Mexico and contributes to the rescue and preservation of its art.

The term “indigenous peoples” describes groups with a social and cultural identity distinct from that of mainstream society, which renders them vulnerable to being disadvantaged in the process of development. The indigenous peoples can be identified and possess, in differing degrees, the following characteristics: attachment to ancestral territories and to their natural resources; identification as members of a distinct cultural group; an indigenous language, often different from the national language; presence of customary social and political institutions, and; systems of production primarily oriented towards self-subsistence.

Bringing artists together at the Feria: (1) affords the public the opportunity to see the work of some of Mexico’s finest artists in one location, (2) allows each artist a venue to exhibit and sell their work (with little expense to them), hopefully making connections for future sales thereby enabling them to continue making a living selling their art, (3) gives the artists the opportunity to meet one another, develop new friendships and connections, and (4) offers a vehicle to promote the indigenous and folk art of Mexico while at the same time educating the public that such art is on the brink of disappearing if artists cannot make a living producing their work.

I consider myself to be one of the luckiest “transplants” living in Mexico! For over 35 years, I have traveled to all corners of Mexico seeking adventure and experiencing the spirit and essence of this country I now call home. However, since moving to Lake Chapala, the focus and reasons for my viajes (trips) now have a purpose beyond adventure itself — locating specific Mexican folk and indigenous artists. Wow! Imagine meeting and getting to know some of the finest artists in Mexico. I am proud to call many of these maestros (masters) friends and part of my extended Mexican family.

If you are adventurous and would enjoy seeing Mexican folk art at its best, consider traveling to Mexico for Feria Maestros del Arte in November.

I can assure you, this is a very safe area of Mexico — the largest expatriate population in the world lives here. and would we stay if it were not safe? It is also one of the most beautiful areas of Mexico situated on Mexico’s largest lake, Lake Chapala, about one hour south of Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city. We have some of the finest restaurants you may ever have experienced and wonderful B&Bs.

Click here for information about the Lake Chapala area.

Each artist has their own webpage with photos of their work.

Contact information: Marianne Carlson, Coordinator and founder of the Feria can be contacted at mariannecarlson@gmail.com or by calling (01152 from outside Mexico) (376) 765-7485.

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