San Miguel de Allende in northern Mexico is an artists’ haven. We stopped last year on our drive back to Bacalar from visiting family in Texas. There are artisan markets, galleries, beautifully landscaped architecture and well, sigh…I returned to our little town of Bacalar feeling depressed and longing for a more stimulating creative environment.
The street in San Miguel.
In the year since, I have discovered the amazing arts community that is Bacalar. It began when I opened my eyes.
Colibri
This beautiful hummingbird and the blue deer that follows grace the wall of a house that is under construction. The colors are vibrant and my bicycle excursion up a new street uncovered them, much to my delight.
Venado Azul
Down the street from our house, the newly named Frida Kahlo school for differently-abled children received a new mural outside its gate over the recent holiday vacation.
My favorite mural is on a main street leading off the town square.
The sky begins on Laguna Bacalar.
Even a little house that looks like it’s about to fall down provides the canvas for an artist’s expression.
The work covers part of the front door in its beautiful display.
There are amateur murals, perhaps from a community project of years ago.
Note the crocodile in the foreground.
A recent state-wide celebration included the commission of this mural on the wall of the Bacalar Tourist Center.
Flying fish that can be seen while kayaking on the laguna.
Next week starts the annual Art Rendezvous at Casita Carolina. Local and visiting artists gather for five days and capture the sights – mercado, pyramids, palm trees and colorful residents. On Saturday next there is a community party and art sale. Everyone is invited to participate. I’ve decided to paint even though I haven’t picked up a brush since high school.
With exceedingly low expectations of my artistic abilities I will join in and chronicle the fun. Clearly our community is far more artistic and creative than I previously saw. With such a beautiful environment, how could it not be.
Follow up to last week’s blog Los Perros of Bacalar –
I did not expect that blog followers would be willing to open their hearts and resources to the dogs and cats of Bacalar, silly me. This weekend there was a sterilization clinic with additional pictures on the Dos Tortas Facebook page. It is a public page that you can access without a FB account. If you wish to contribute please contact me for further information. A large bag of dog food costs $25US and the average cost to sterilize an animal is about $20. We have the offer of a permanent location and would like to have monthly clinics. There are start up equipment costs, but money goes far in Mexico.
Our visiting veterinarian and expat nurse extraordinaire Patty.
DOS TORTAS
the adventures of dos tortas 
Isn’t it wonderful to find art in your community? I, too, loved San Miguel, but art has so many sides, so many possibilities. Glad you’re picking up the paint brush. And hooray for doggie donors!
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Thanks Emilie, I recently met an amazing stone sculptor who lives a few doors down! But that’s another blog.
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Another great post, Alex – love love the photos. Tell me how to contribute (if there’s a better way than leaving money with Gin monthly). Also, you might want to mention at some point that my niece, Olivia, who was at Pehaltun at Christmas, started a gofundme account for the dogs. And art and opening one’s eyes: I plan to do just that when I’m back down in March/April. Blessings to you both, L
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Please send me the information on how to access the account.
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