| Exploring The Galleries And Museums Of Cancun
Though some people assume that Cancun is full of
nothing but
overpriced souvenirs, there are plenty of great values to be
found. Some of the best bargains in Cancun – for both
entertainment and distinctive souvenirs – are provided by the
vibrant local art community. Art is everywhere you look in
Cancun. Wherever you travel in the Hotel Zone or downtown
Cancun, you will spot artists selling their work on busy street
corners or in outdoor markets. Meanwhile, the galleries of
Cancun represent both the best work of the region and
internationally-recognized artists. Regardless of your budget,
you will be able to find the right piece to add to your
collection in Cancun.
One of the most popular places to view the fruits of creative
labor is Cancun's folk art museum, known locally as Museo de
Arte Popular Mexicano. Located on the second floor of El
Embarcadero Marina in Cancun's Hotel Zone, the folk art museum
showcases everything from traditional Mexican masks and costumes
to religious artifacts and handmade toys. With nearly 15,000
square feet of exhibition space, the museum is able to tell many
stories about both the local culture and the history of the
Mexican people. Besides all of the artistic objects on display,
the onsite gift shop is also a great place to shop for locally
made oddities. Furthermore, the folk art museum provides a fun
and affordable nighttime activity, remaining open to the public
until at least 9 pm each day.
Some of the best places to shop for art in Cancun are the large
shopping centers located throughout the Hotel Zone. The best
selection of both commercial art galleries and individual
vendors is at the sprawling Plaza Kukulcan. Known primarily for
its number of upscale clothing and jewelry stores, Plaza
Kukulcan is also a bustling art marketplace. In the common areas
of the shopping center, local artists are allowed to display
their work and sell directly to the public every day. On any
given day, you will be able to find artists selling everything
from handmade jewelry and crafts to pottery and oil paintings.
Plaza Kukulcan is also the place to find the work of renowned
local artist Sergio Bustamante. Represented in Cancun by the
Xaman-Ek Galleries, Bustamante's uniquely surrealistic work is
collected worldwide. Though he trained as an architect in
Mexico, Bustamante has spent years combining his Chinese and
Indian influences with the Mexican art tradition. The result is
a body of sculpture and ceramics exhibiting a distinctive sense
of humor, spiritually guided realism and superior workmanship.
With additional locations at Plaza Caracol and La Isla, the
Xaman-Ek Galleries also sell all types of locally-made products
including jewelry, painting and folk art sculpture.
As you tour the galleries and museums of Cancun, you can also
expect to see work inspired by the ancient Mayan culture. As the
city is located amongst scores of ancient ruins in the heart of
the Mayan Riviera, the imagery of the ancient civilization has
always found its way into local museums and galleries. For
souvenir hunters and art collectors, some of the most sought
after items in Cancun are the expert reproductions of Mayan
artwork. One such artist working in this style is painter and
Mayan scholar Miguel Castro. Known for his masterful
reproductions of Mayan paintings, Castro also uses traditional
tools and methods to create his pieces.
Before venturing out in search of galleries and local artwork,
check the local guides available at your hotel or resort.
Besides offering descriptions of individual galleries and
providing directions, many publications detail the most current
exhibitions. If you are hoping to find a specific type of
artwork at one of the outdoor markets, ask your concierge for
suggestions; they often know where the best artists sell their
products.
About the Author:
This article was written by Justin Burch.
Justin writes select pieces about vacationing in the Caribbean
for the CasaMagna Cancun Mexico Resort
[http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/cunmx-casamagna-marriott-cancun-resort/]
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