November, 2020 (Cancelled due to Covid- please see below)
Feria Maestros del Arte (English – Masters of Art Fair) is a non profit organization and annual three-day event held to support Mexican handcrafts and folk art in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico. As an organization, it is a recognized in both Mexico and the United States. Unlike other fairs of this type, invited participants are not charged booth fees or percentages, and are even afforded transport and accommodations with area families. The Feria has grown from thirteen artisan participants to over eighty. The main focus is to support the continuing existence of Mexican folk art, which is disappearing in many places due to migration and industrialization. Volunteers work to find artisans, raise funds, set up and take down and all operations during the event.
The three day event is held every November, with the main attraction being stalls of merchandise brought by Mexican artisans for sale. As of 2015, there are were over 80 participating artisans, from various Mexican states, especially Chiapas, Oaxaca, Michoacán and Jalisco. However, there have been representatives from as far north as Chihuahua and south to Yucatán. The wares vary from many kinds of pottery such as bruñido (burnished), petallillo, pineapple forms from Michoacan, recreations of pre Hispanic pieces, amate paper, alpaca cutlery, alebrijes from Oaxaca, wicker furniture, dolls, Catrina figures and numerous textiles, especially from Oaxaca and Chiapas. To date, the event has been popular mostly with foreign buyers, both living in and visiting Mexico, but it does attract a number of Mexican buyers as well. Many of the buyers are folk art collectors.
The artisans who participate are invited by the organization and change each year. These artisans are vetted by representatives of the Feria, with visits to workshops to see what is done, the quality and the make sure the wares are made by the artisans themselves. Some are already well known in Mexican folk art circles, such as those featured in works such as the Grand Masters of Mexican Folk Art, but others are completely unknown. Some are families who have done the craft for generations. As the purpose is to support the artisans, participants are not charged booth fees or a percentage of sales. Transportation of artisans is paid for by the Feria as well, with the same being housed by volunteer families in their homes. These families are mostly expats living in and near Chapala, and they not only provide beds, but also food and social outlets. The organization states that it helps to create inter-cultural bonds, and for many of the artisans, their first contact with the world outside their home. Some of the artisans are illiterate and many never have been out of their hometowns.
Maestros COVID-19 Sales
Due to the cancellation of the 2020 Feria, artisans invited for this year will NOT have the advantage of taking home monies from Feria sales. Toward helping them through Covid-19, artists highlighted with the words “Covid-19” have provided photos and information on pieces currently for sale. We have also added artisans from other years.
Please click here to view the artisans with online sales. They need your support!
https://www.feriamaestros2.com/maestros2020
Altars and offerings are a way to remember family members who have passed into the afterlife, as well as celebrities, beloved to the Mexican population. In this culture, the lines between life and death are blurred and the acceptance of mortality becomes a liberation from fear. Indeed, life and death live on parallel planes in Mexico. This beautiful festival has a profound life lesson that transcends life itself.
Day of the Dead is a very expensive holiday for these self-sufficient, rural based, indigenous families. Many spend over two month’s income to honor their dead relatives. They believe that happy spirits will provide protection, good luck and wisdom to their families. Ofrenda building keeps the family close.
A very special time in Chapala is the bigger than life size Catrina’s all along the malecon (boardwalk). They are generally produced by local organizations, schools, and charities. Sometimes with a theme..The wedding Catrina to the left is made entirely from trash bags! A sight to behold!! And the streets along Francisco Madero are lined with alters celebrating the lives of loved ones and Mexican dignities.
Paint your face. Join in the festivities and surrender your face to be painted by one of the local artists.
Did you know?
We have an amazing and, we think, the most complete and impressive collection of Catrinas in all of Mexico! From 4 inches to 4 feet in every imaginable attire.
The Guadalajara International Book Fair, better known as the FIL (from its Spanish name: Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara) is the most important annual event of its kind in the 
Created in 1987, the FIL is put on by the 
“What an awesome experience to travel to the Feria Internacional de Libros with fellow lovers of literature. So many books. So much fun. Can’t wait to do it again.”
Lake Chapala is Mexico’s largest lake nestled in a ring of mountains with colorful fishing villages strung like pearls along the north shore where a slower pace of life awaits you. If you want to leave the rat race behind for a time or forever, Lake Chapala warrants a closer look, with friendly people to welcome you, many say the magic of Lake Chapala is something you just have to experience to believe.
This is truly a cosmopolitan community where everyone is welcome. International Living Magazine has ranked Mexico as the number one place to retire in the world for the past two years in a row. More people than ever are opting to live outside their home countries to take advantage of the lower cost of living. On average, you can save 30% living here. There is world class health care at a fraction of the cost you’ll find north of the border.
English is spoke everywhere. Wireless internet access and Vonage service is inexpensive and people can email or call their families back home. There are many recreational activities – tennis, golf, horseback riding, boating, fishing, biking, hiking. Plus there are so many English language clubs and charitable organizations, that no one could ever be lonely or bored. Mexico has been called the land of fiestas. There are 5,000 registered fiestas in Mexico and festivals are always great fun and feasts for the senses. With all the dancing, food, music, drinking and wonderful sights, culture is expressed through these fiestas and celebrations all year round.
The services are world-class – cozy B&Bs, gracious 5-star hotels and bungalows – you’ll find the perfect place to feel at home. There are a wealth of restaurants ranging from Italian, Greek, Argentinian, Chinese, Thai and of course the best margaritas in the world. There are movies in English at the local cinema, English TV, water park and a community theater with plays performed in English. There are places to worship in every Christian denominations. If you are looking for a home with a village-pace of life, you’ll find exactly what you want – condos with concierge services, charming homes with stonework, handpainted tile, beamed ceilings and outdoor living.
