Over 140 Masters Gather for the Second Xcaret Fair of Mexican Popular Art 2025
From September 25 to 28, the Xcaret theme park in Quintana Roo’s Solidaridad municipality will host a gathering of 140 artisans and artisanas from across Mexico, showcasing their creations that reflect the history, identity, and cultural heritage of their communities.
A Showcase of Mexico’s Rich Cultural Heritage
The event, organized by the private sector, serves as a significant platform for displaying Mexico’s diverse and rich artisanal traditions to the thousands of daily visitors attracted to the Riviera Maya complex.
- Artisanal offerings include textiles from Oaxaca, marquetry from Iztapalapa, Aguascalientes’ mayolica, masks from Guerrero, glass-glazed clay from Michoacán, silverwork from Santa Clara del Cobre, Amatenango pottery, Nuevo Casas Grandes ceramics, policromatic clay from Metepec, Tonalá’s earthenware, Turicuro’s metates and molcajetes, Pátzcuaro’s gold-profiled lacquer, Campeche’s woven hats, Tamaulipas’ leatherwork, and various wood, stone, amber, vine, palm, chuspata pieces.
- The fair features a wide array of artisanal skills, demonstrating professionalism and aesthetic refinement in various disciplines.
- Each piece is not merely an aesthetic expression but a testament to Mexico’s rich cultural heritage, integral to the identity of communities and a unifying factor for Mexicans.
“Celebrating Our Belonging”
Government officials and park directors gathered at Xcaret’s Guadalupe Chapel to welcome the 141 artisans, led by Francisca Palafox, a master weaver from San Mateo del Mar, Oaxaca. Palafox won the Artesanal Award at Xcaret Fair 2024 and the National Grand Master and Mistress of Mexico’s Artisanal Patrimony Award this year.
Leticia Rodriguez, Xcaret Park’s director, welcomed the attendees, stating, “Today, we celebrate our pride in belonging to this great nation and making the planet happier by sharing our love for Mexico.”
The Significance of Artesanial Work
Leticia Aguerrebere, FAPM’s general director, emphasized that the fair took nearly a year to prepare and aims to create an encounter and recognition space for artisans, displaying their professional skills and aesthetic perfection.
Francisca Palafox highlighted that the exhibitors represent a tradition and community, not just artisanal vendors. She expressed her joy that these meetings facilitate the display of their work and bring visibility to artisans worldwide.
Lilian Villanueva, ICA’s director, echoed this sentiment, stating that artisanal pieces are more than decorative items; each tells a story and reflects a community’s identity and deep connection to the land.
Sonya Santos, Fonart’s general director, emphasized that each artisanal piece is a fragment of history and nature, stressing the importance of synergy between artisans, government authorities, and entrepreneurs in creating such platforms.
Attracting International Tourists
Nathalie Desplas Puel, federal tourism subsecretary, revealed that in 2024, Mexico received around 45 million international tourists, with one in five interested in cultural tourism. Although many return home with artisanal souvenirs, these creators place Mexico’s culture in the global spotlight.
“This meeting, beyond providing an exhibition space, is a shared prosperity platform, as each piece’s sale impacts an artisan’s life, family, and community,” she said.
Villanueva reminded that tourism is the primary employer of young people and women in Mexico.
Seeking Outstanding Artisans
Miguel Quintana, Xcaret’s founder and president, explained that for 35 years he visited artisan fairs across Mexico to acquire pieces for the group’s hotels. This passion led him to organize this fair, now in its second consecutive year, featuring 140 artisans selected based on originality, traditional techniques, aesthetic refinement, genuine artisan status, and community ties.
Quintana mentioned that this year’s curation includes 50 new artisans, offering opportunities to others. He anticipates approximately 20,000 visitors over the weekend, doubling last year’s attendance.
