Arts in Ajijic

There are a few dozen artists in Ajijic, which given the size of the community as a whole is sufficient to garner the portrayal of the town as an artists colony. The founder of the Lake Chapala Society set up art lessons for local children, and some have gone on to become full-time artists. The majority of arts activity however comes from the expatriate community.

El Gallero by Isabel Leon, won a 2nd place ribbon for the oil portraits category in a juried art show in Ajijic, March 2005.

Besides the fine arts there are also many writers in Ajijic, most of the local bookstores carry dozens of titles by local authors. There is also an active theater group, that stages a different play each month. Musical talent is one field of artistic expression where the local Mexican community outnumbers the expatriates, though there is a large pool of talent from each group.

If one considers crafts as an artform, there are also large numbers of skilled craftpersons in both groups too, though again I think the Mexican population outnumbers the expatrates in that regard. Hand made blankets, beadwork and masks are the specialties of Native American groups. There are also those who decorate gourds, produce embroidery, repoussé, clothing, candles, toys and more.

This teddy bear by Isabel Leon, has articulated limbs, leather paw-pads, and is made of soft peluche.