Merida Art Galleries

With the growth in numbers of both private and public art galleries, Mérida is definitely on the map art-wise. Two major factors have caused this happening: Mérida was named Cultural Capital of the Americas in the year 2000 and around that same time, Mérida suddenly became an ex-pat haven drawing many American, Canadian and European people to live here. Many of these people wanted to or needed to work. Some of them brought their love of art and business sense to Mérida and opened art galleries.

This was the beginning of a dramatic change in the art offerings in the White City. When gallery hopping, take note that some have Mexican-style split working hours where they close for siesta. Others work straight though the day. Also, check their closing days, as some close on Sunday, others on Monday and some on Tuesday.
 A sincere thanks to Paula Sievert of Galeria Mérida who helped us with the information here. 
The private galleries in town are:

Galería Mérida

Owned by New Yorker Paula Sievert, is the largest private gallery in Mérida. Specializing in art by local Yucatecans, she changes the shows every 4 - 6 weeks and does four major shows a year around the equinoxes and solstices. She also has a space for artists in residence. Calle 59 No 452-A between 52 and 54. Tel. 924-0117. Winter schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10 am to 12 pm, 3 pm to 6 pm. Friday, Saturday: 10 am to 12 pm, 3 pm to 6 pm, 8 pm to 12 am. Sunday: 10 am to 3 pm. Closed Mondays. Or by appointment. 
www.galeriamerida.com

La Luz Galería
Is located in what is being referred to as Gallery Row in Santa Ana. La Luz Galeria promotes Cuban artists along with local Yucatecan artist Alonso Maza and Australian Ann Thomson. Calle 60 No. 415A between 45 & 47. Tel. 924 5952 Open Mon - Fri. 10 AM - 2 PM & 4 PM - 7 PM. Sat. 10 AM - 2 PM. Closed Sunday. www.laluzgaleria.com

Nahualli Casa de los Artistas 

Nahualli Casa de los Artistas, also located in Gallery Row on Calle 60 No. 405 between 43 & 45 is owned and operated by Mexican artists Abel Vazquez and Melva Medina. Both internationally known artists, they promote and sell their works which include sculpture, painting and drawings. Open 10 AM to 2 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday. Melva and Abel are continually offering workshops and classes in painting, sculpture, etc. so they are the people to contact if you want to take classes. 
www.artistsinmexico.com

SoHo Galleries
Three different spaces featuring a changing Mexican artist, a collection of prints, and an artistic collection of digital photography. Calle 60 No. 400A x 41 y 43. Open Tuesday-Friday 11 to 2 and 5 to 7, and Saturday-Sunday 11 to 3. 

Galería Tataya

Is located on Calle 72 #478 between 53 & 55 in the fashionable Santiago neighborhood. Owners Francois Valcke and Gerardo Martínez have a gallery where you will find fine pieces of Talavera ceramics, unique handcrafts and folk art, lovely antiques, custom designed wrought iron pieces and a collection of contemporary art that includes paintings, drawings and photography. Open Tues - Sat 11 am - 2 pm & 4 pm -7 pm. Closed on Sun & Mon. www.tataya.com.mx

El Dragón Sabio

(The Wise Dragon) is located on Calle 13A No. 231 x 22 Col. Itzimná. Italian Francesco Milanesi owns this gallery where he has many beautiful things that include antique furniture, Italian 18K gold necklaces, fine silver, photography, wood sculpture and works by Mexican artist Fernando Ancona Ojeda. Open 10 am - 12 noon & 4 pm - 8 pm Mon. to Fri. Also by appointment. 
Tel. 999 285 5643 and 999 219 1922.

Visual Arts Center at the ICY

Calle 60 No. 411 between 45 & 47. 
This gallery is always presenting collective shows in various mediums.

Georgia Charuhas

Is a renowned, respected and much loved artist, and has been living in Mérida for 35 years. Her colonial home in the Santiago neighborhood is her workshop and gallery. Georgia's paintings are whimsical and soulful at the same time. Georgia invites interested collectors and fellow artists to visit her studio. By Appointment Call 923-0495 www.georgiacharuhas.com

Habemus Galería

Is a private gallery located in the north of the city owned by three artists/partners: Sandra Nikolai, Rosa Elena Palmer and Ana Rosa Aguilar. The address is Calle 11 #101-E x 20 Col. Mexico Norte. They exhibit paintings. www.habemusgaleria.com

In La'Kech Gallery 
(The Other Me)
Barbara McClatchie is a photographer with a gallery space on Calle 60 No. 595A between 73 & 75, five blocks south of the Main Plaza. While small - it accommodates 10 to 15 large works - it is elegant and well lit. In La'kech does not have fixed hours. Anyone wishing to see the current exhibition can call her or the individual artists which are posted on the website or in the display windows. Passers-by can ring the doorbell to be attended.  www.galeriainlakech.com

Katrin Schikora

Working in high quality ceramic, her specialty is lighting, be it wall sconces, table lamps or mood lighting. Her studio is in Cholul, a small town just minutes from Merida. To get to Cholul, you can either drive out there in your personal or rental car, or take a taxi to the village and then a trici-taxi to her home/studio.
You might want to call first. 921-5127 or cel 999-995-3769 
www.katrin-schikora.com

El Cervantino
Visual Art, Jazz Lounge

Calle 47 No. 520-D between 64 and 66 Close to Santa Ana Park. 
Contact EduardoCervantes

Luís Corral, Miguel Angel Reyes & Neri Falconio

Work out of their studio where they have a large collection of modern and figurative works that can be seen in the morning from 9 am - 2 pm Mon- Sat. Closed Sun. because they are showing at the Jardín de Arte, an outdoor sidewalk exhibition on the Paseo Montejo that goes from Calle 47 up to Ave. Perez Ponce. Studio: Calle 55 No.510B between 62 & 64.

David Sierra Studio 57

This local artist has a studio/gallery on Calle 57 between 52 and 54 and is open in the afternoons and evenings until 10 pm.

Arte, Puros y Café
Calle 62 No. 449 x 53 y 51, promoting artists who live in Cuba. Web www.artecubaonline.com 

Juan Manuel Mier y Terán
Paints colorful and evocative watercolors of everyday life in Yucatán. Originals and prints are on display and available for purchase at Yucatan Today's office, calle 39 No. 483 x 54 y 56 Centro. 

Juan Pablo Mier y Terán
Sculpture and painting studio, Calle 29 No. 305 x 26 y 28, Col. Benito Juarez, Progreso www.jpmieryteran.com