If you’ve spent more than a day in Guadalajara, chances are good you’ve been to the Hospicio Cabañas. It’s one of the city’s most impressive and accessible tourist attractions, just a short and populated walk from the iconic cathedral. To close out 2011, the Cabañas Cultural Institute has opened a new store in the complex, selling books, mementos, and jewelry. While the Educal bookstore still resides at the front of the museum, catching enthusiastic visitors on their way out of the former hospital, the new store—the Capilla Mayor—focuses more tightly on the exhibits and artwork of the museum.
Two glass cases of jewelry are immediately prominent. Based on a previous museum exhibition of pre-Columbian gold, these handmade necklaces and earrings can run anywhere from around 100 pesos up to a few thousand.
The store also promotes the work of Rodo Padilla, a famous sculptor from Guadalajara (he created the “Children’s Rights” sculptures at the Trompo Mágico). His figurines, reminiscent of the works of Colombian artist Fernando Botero, depict portly people in everyday quiet moments of magnitude.
Local artist Rafael Sáenz gets some recognition too, with cups and other souvenirs portraying some of his more famous works.The sparser layout of this new store draws attention to its collection of coffee table hardcover books on Mexican sculpture, art, historic places, and scenery.
“The [Educal] store is more of a bookstore, and here we try to be more of a place to represent the Cabañas [Institute], like the exhibition that we have right now,” said Alva Chavez, in charge of the store.
The museum is currently running an exhibition of modern art from the Jumex collection called “Now.” It features around 150 works from more than 80 Mexican and worldwide artists in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and video. The exhibition is on its last few weeks, and ends January 7.
The Hospicio Cabañas, founded in 1791 by the eponymous bishop of Guadalajara, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Until 1980 it fulfilled functions of a hospital and orphanage. It is also home to a series of famous frescoes by Mexican artist José Clemente Orozco.
The Hospicio Cabañas is located at the terminal east end of Plaza Tapatía, just north of Mercado San Juan de Díos, telephone: (33) 3942-1200. The store keeps the same hours as the Cabañas: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays. Regular entrance is 70 pesos, 45 pesos if you have a Mexican credential, 35 pesos for teachers and students, and 20 pesos for seniors (60 and over) and children 6 to 12. Entrance is free on Tuesdays.