Get ready for an extraordinary addition to lakeside’s cultural scene on October 20 at the grand opening of the Muestra de Arte Popular Ajijic (MAPA).
As of that date, exhibitions of Mexican folk art from the private collection of Cathey Merrill and her late husband Ron will have a permanent home at the Efrén González studio/gallery, Marcos Castellanos 7, a half block south of the artist’s iconic skull wall and the San Andrés church.
The Texas couple began buying handicrafts in the 1990s after Cathey enrolled in an intensive Spanish course in Cuernavaca. Her time there coincided with the original release of “Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art,” the handsomely illustrated 550-page encyclopedia published by Fomento Cultural Banamex. The book became their initial guidebook for south-of-the-border travels and led to finding outstanding artisans in all corners of the country. On well over 100 trips they tracked down many of the masters, and got some of them to autograph the book, while amassing a huge treasure trove of unique pieces that struck their fancy.
Cathey recalls the chance encounter in Taxco that kick-started their adventures as collectors. She was approached by a young vendor offering a pair of carved angels. Each time she said no, the price dropped until she could no longer resist a bargain deal on the charming works of art.
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