Guadalajara’s Contemporary Art Scene

Cuauhtémoc 157
Tlaquepaque
"A family-owned ceramics studio, Cerámica Suro opened in the 1950s to manufacture wares for luxury hotels. When José Noé Suro, the son of the original owner, took over the factory, he invited some of his artist friends to collaborate on projects and began producing dinnerware for some of Mexico’s top restaurants. Today, visits to the factory are by appointment only; contact Journey Mexico to schedule a tour."

Blvrd Puerta de Hierro 5210
Building · Zapopan
"Opened by a Guadalajara native, CURRO is a contemporary art gallery showcasing edgy, conceptual work by mostly Latin American artists. Many of the pieces here are in constant conversation with the physical boundaries of the gallery, which is located in the futuristic Cube Tower designed by architect Carme Pinós."

Hotel Demetria
Hotel · Guadalajara
"Located in the charming neighborhood of Colonia Lafayette, Hotel Demetria is among Guadalajara’s trendiest boutique hotels. In addition to stylish rooms, a rooftop pool, and a popular restaurant, the hotel features a contemporary art gallery and bookstore on its mezzanine level. Even more impressive, however, is the fact that the steel-and-glass structure is sandwiched between two pieces of architectural history—Casa Franco and Casa Quiñones, designed by Mexican modernist masters Luis Barragán and Pedro Castellanos, respectively."

Julia y Renata Store
Fashion accessories store · Guadalajara
"This minimalist clothing boutique comes courtesy of Mexican fashion designers and sisters Julia and Renata Franco, who both graduated from the Fashion Design Center in Guadalajara. The store’s geometric space and bright, asymmetrical clothing echo the city’s architecture and overall aesthetic, making for an artful shopping experience."

Museo de Arte Zapopan
Art museum · Zapopan
"Zapopan is mostly known for its 17th-century basilica and adjoining convent, as well as some parish churches and shaded squares with splashing fountains. The Museo de Arte Zapopan (MAZ) can therefore come as a surprise, sitting on the city’s pedestrian-only mall amid vendors selling street food and handicrafts. Founded in 2002, the museum includes several large exhibition spaces that house temporary shows by leading contemporary artists. It’s the sort of space that would not seem out of place inMexico City, or even New York, but in Zapopan feels like a secret discovery for anyone interested in Mexico’s contemporary art scene. An extra bonus: admission is free."
Jose Clemente Orozco Casa Taller
Park · Guadalajara
"A nonprofit art incubator opened by Los Angeles artist Eduardo Sarabio, PAOS occupies a building once owned by Modernist muralist José Celemente Orozco. Here, Sarabia and his fellow artists host exhibitions and artist residencies while promoting public education, critical thinking, and the creative process."

Páramo
Art gallery · Guadalajara
"Páramo Along with regular exhibitions by local artists, this contemporary art gallery hosts events, screenings, and talks. The team recently opened a second location in New York, as well as an artist residency program in Mexico City."

Travesía Cuatro, Avenida de la Paz, Americana, Guadalajara
Art gallery · Guadalajara
"A Madrid-based gallery that showcases some of Guadalajara’s best artists, Travesía Cuatro serves as a bridge between the European and Latin American art scenes. Perhaps more impressive than the work on display, however, is the gallery’s setting inside Casa Franco, a 1929 Mediterranean-style home designed by the father of Mexican modernist architecture, Luis Barragán. The landmarked space has the casual feel of a home—that just happens to have a fantastic art collection."
