Visiting Museo Casa Kahlo on a Sunday morning piqued my interest in learning more about Frida Kahlo…read moreand Diego Riviera's lives as artists, so that same afternoon I headed here--Museo Casa Estudio Diego Riviera y Frida Kahlo--to see where inspirations materialized into physicality. This location comprised of a set of personal working art studios, each with a bespoke structure customized to suit his or her creative outlets. On a cloudy Sunday afternoon around 2pm in January, these former artists' lofts were busy though not uncomfortably crowded. Sunday is their free admission day and the only reason I think the location wasn't more full, was due to a sprinkling rain on and off. While they don't require tickets they ask for visitors to sign a guest book as they enter the premises, after which you're free to roam around. There are three main structures--the studios of each respective artists and another built by a Mexican architect, who I believe as a friend of the couple. They aren't large, each would take maybe 10 minutes to walk thru, the studio of Diego Riviera being the most popular due to the resetting of furniture and decorative elements simulating the setup when he used to create works here. Visitors can go up to the roof too, which is a few stories up, though take care since there are no high side railings and it's a three story drop down. Around the exterior ground floor there are a few larger descriptive plaques on the history and purposes of each building and Diego and Frida's career and personal timeline as well. Inside each building there are smaller signs with the majority in Spanish. It took about 30 minutes to get thru both as I didn't try to translate and read thru many of these. Inside Riviera's studio, it was cool to see some displays of different items Diego collected as inspiration for his art, everything from ceramic serving ware to terracotta artifacts from early native settlements, to paper mache sculptures, paintings and mobiles. Kahlo's studio was used as more of a gallery space featuring a small exhibit on Hungarian photographer Kati Horna's work documenting life in Mexico City in the mid 20th century. O'Gorman's building showed some architectural background and small-scale models of these three buildings and a handful of his conceptual and preparatory work for this project in particular. At the end of the day not sure if this location is a "must see" on your first trip, though I appreciated the context it provided for understanding more about these two artists! For more info: https://inba.gob.mx/sitios/recorridos-virtuales/casa-estudio-diego-rivera-frida-kahlo/

On our first visit to Mexico City in 2023, we visited the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) in…read moreCoyoacán. On our visit a few weeks ago, we visited the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo in San Ángel. The experiences are very different, but I really enjoyed our recent visit to the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo. The three houses on the property were design by Mexican Juan O'Gorman completed by 1932 (when O'Gorman was only 27). Two of them, connected by bridge, were designed by O'Gorman for his friend Diego Rivera and his then wife Frida Kahlo. These projects are an example of O'Gorman's politics (he was a committed socialist) and how those politics affected his designs (the homes are minimalist and highly functional, while still having inspiring design). Frida and Diego moved into the houses in 1934. When Frida's father died, she moved back into the house in Coyoacán, but Rivera lived in his house in San Ángel until his death in 1957. When you visit, you can walk into all three buildings (the third of which is the smallest, designed for O'Gorman's father, but never used by him). Many of the rooms of the homes are used for exhibits with information about O'Goman, Rivera, Kahlo, and other artists, but Diego's house has preserved his studio in much he way it was when he lived in the home. (If you've seen the movie Frida, you'll recognize the home for a very memorable scene - based on real facts.) While I didn't find this museum nearly as crowded as the Coyoacán museum (which, for me, was almost unpleasantly crowded), but has lots of tight spaces and you might wait a bit to make it into an area of one of the houses you want to see. We visited with a guided tour (booked through Viator), but you absolutely don't need to do this. I liked visiting with a guide, because we got a lot of information and context about the house without having to get up close to things to read - helpful in a crowded space. If you're a fan of Diego, of Frida, of O'Gorman, of art history, of architecture..., the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo is well worth a visit. Because San Ángel is gorgeous, make an afternoon of it and spend a few hours exploring other areas and attractions in the neighborhood!

So happy that I was able to explore the work of Isidro Fabela, which is located right by Plaza San…read moreJacinto. The museum was free, the staff was helpful & courteous, and the work was amazing.A few of the exhibitions were ending at the end of August so the staff told us to take advantage of it. One of them was "Arte Transterrado" which was about the artists exiled from Spain. Another great piece of work to see is the monument called "Fuente del Risco". My favorite had to be the exhibition by Rodrigo de la Sierra titled #Todos somos TIMOTEO translates to #We are all TIMO. His work was put outside in a beautiful garden. The artist sculpted this little character (Timoteo) that is positioned in different postures, gestures, and without non-verbal ways of communicating - we still see his concerns and emotions. There was also a library, a store to purchase Fabela's books, and other goodies. If you are walking around Plaza San Jacinto, don't miss out on this museum.

This museum features contemporary art collected by Dr. Alvar Carrillo Gil*, a renowned 20th century…read morecollector, painter and patron of the arts originally from Opichin (Yucatan) Mexico. The majority of the over 1700 pieces in the museum's permanent collection are from his collection. This museum is located about a 15 minute walk from Casa Estudio Diego Riviera y Frida Kahlo, so I figured to drop by while in the area. On a Sunday, museum admission was free and I spent about 45 minutes here. Upon entry there is a lobby with ticket counter to the right and a gift shop to the left. Coat/bag check is complimentary and required for bags over a certain size. They give you a tag with a number to collect your item at the counter upon departure. While all floors displayed modern and contemporary art, the museum has four floors, each being a separate exhibit. A central sloped ramp winding back and forth served as the main method of connection between each floor, which distinguished the architecture of this building to me apart from other buildings. It became a structural focal point in a way that added lines and angles in a way that complemented the gallery space and the overhead skylight. Art in various mediums are spread out along the walls and gallery spaces, most prevalent being paintings followed by sculpture and mixed media. I enjoyed walking thru and admiring the different works, and am glad I stopped by for a look! As expected with most local attractions, all the descriptions were in Spanish, so a visual translation app is useful. Hours: 10am-6pm daily except closed Mondays. Sunday admission is free. For more info: https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/venues/carrillo-gil-art-museum-macg/?lang=en *Carrillo Gil's collection began with his fascination of Jose Clemente Orozco 's (1883-1949) works. He is credited with filling the void left by the Mexican government and other private collectors in abating the loss of Orozco's work to collectors in the United States.

Weird museum, the male staff leer at you throughout and it would be nice to have bi-lingual wall…read moretexts and press releases. Not much to see here if you are not a local.

We didn't make it to the San Ángel neighborhood when we visited Mexico City for the first time in…read more2023, but we visited a couple of weeks ago when we returned to Mexico City. It's a lovely neighborhood - well worth a visit for people visiting the city. One of the reason it's so great? Plaza San Jacinto. The plaza is traditional, with a fountain in the center and paths leading to it from each corner and side of the plaza. With plenty of trees, benches, and people, it's a great place for a walk/stroll or to sit on a bench and listen to music or read or people watch. But the highlight of a visit to Plaza San Jacinto? Every Saturday, it hosts the Bazaar Sábado - a traditional market of hundreds of artists, artisans, and sellers of almost everything you can imagine. We were lucky to be walking through the Plaza around 6pm on a Saturday (the market is from 10am-7pm every Saturday), and it was such a treat. But on every side of the Plaza are gorgeous buildings that house shops, restaurants, and a museum (Museo Casa del Risco), making the Plaza and its surroundings a great place to spend a few hours!

Plaza San Jacinto is just a twenty-minute walk from the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida…read moreKahlo and visiting both makes for a great Saturday. The Saturday artist market in the plaza always includes a wealth of talented painters lining the pathways although kitsch and craft has crept in since tourists discovered the market. I still deeply regret not buying a fantastic almost-abstract landscape painting years ago and that stayed in my mind as I strolled through the plaza and the thin stone streets of San Ángel.

IF you have the opportunity to venture into Mexico City, by all means go the Saturday Bazar in San…read moreAngel. Short distance from downtown Mexico City. Walk on street called "Amargura", it has many art venues. This particularly is someone's house and has 2 story's on the front, as you walk in there you can see a current exhibit. The business owner who is also a painter had some of her work, which i found to be exquisite. I wish I had the money to buy one of her paintings , it was very modern and cozy. This Gallery is also available for rent. Beautiful setting for ART shopping in this entire block, and plaza. Across from it there is a small shopping center with breath taking restaurants. Mixing buildings from the early 1600 and 1800's with the contemporary, Must see to believe. LOVE this street and this Gallery. Ahhhh dreaming can be costly. Truly. Truly..... Business Card Read: Art is an investment for that special moment. To give a work of art as a gift, is something very personal, and is like giving a memory that last a life time.

4p* Museo Nacional de la Acuarela The watercolor museum…read moreNovo 88, Coyoacán FREE ADMISSION Friendly staff House and grounds There is an upstairs and downstairs for the galleries Also, saw children's gallery in a different building; some of the water color paintings by 4 yr and 6 yr kids were amazing Main house has wonderful paintings e.g., Manuel Ituarte, Alfredo Rojo Some look as realistic as photos Nice bathrooms Cafeteria

I visited this museum with my Spanish class a week or so ago when we spent a morning in this part…read moreof Coyoacán. The museum is easy to get to (between two metro stations - Miguel Ángel de Quevedo and Viveros y Derechos Humanos) and very charming. It claims to be the world's first museum dedicated to watercolor painting. While it didn't have works by artists that are as well known as many other art museums, it made up for that in charm. The museum is located in a former private home, and the watercolor collection is varied and interesting. The gardens are beautiful, and the museum has a lovely cafe where you grab a bite to eat before, after, or during the visit (I had a coffee and a sandwich, looking out onto the gardens of the house, watching the "Employee of the Month" - a cat - napping in the sunlight). I wouldn't recommend that anyone go out of their way to visit this museum (unless you're a huge watercolor nerd), but if you're exploring Coyoacán, it's a charming museum that is well worth a visit.

Cute & expensive modern art store. This is said of every single modern art store in the WORLD! If…read moreyou name in 1 single affordable modern art store I won't believe you . I've come here so many times but keep forgetting to leave a review precisely bc all of these types of stores fall under the same premise. But one thing I can say is they do have more Architecture books do to the importance & fame of the museum's Architect Teodoro González de León RIP.