Fine Arts Galleries

The tourist boom has stimulated a Oaxaca fine-arts revival. Several downtown galleries bloom with the sculpture and paintings of masters, such as Rufino Tamayo, Rudolfo Morales, Francisco Toledo, and a host of up-and-coming local artists. Besides La Mano Mágico [1], a number of galleries stand out.

Foremost among them is Arte de Oaxaca (Murguia 105, between Alcalá and Cinco de Mayo, tel. 951/514-0910, www.artedeoaxaca.com [2], 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–8 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat.), the gallery of the Rudolfo Morales Foundation.

Also outstanding is Galería Quetzalli (Constitución 104, between Reforma and Cinco de Mayo, tel. 951/514-2606, fax 951/514-0735, www.galeriaquetzalli.com [3], 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–8 p.m. Mon.–Sat.), local outlet for celebrated artist Francisco Toledo, opposite the south wall-flank of Iglesia de Santo Domingo [4].

Also well worth visiting is Galeria Arte Mexicano (southwest corner of Alcalá and Allende, tel. 951/514-3815, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.), in the Santo Domingo shopping complex, diagonally across Alcalá from the Iglesia de Santo Domingo.

For something unusual, go to Galería Indigo (Allende 104, corner of Alcalá, tel./fax 951/514-3889, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 4:30–8 p.m. Mon.–Sat.), across from Iglesia de Santo Domingo [4]. Inside, several spacious rooms contain dramatic displays of modern paintings and exquisite one-of-a-kind handicrafts, both traditional and innovative, from Mexico, Central America, and Asia.

Completely different but just as fascinating is the longtime coin, antique bric-a-brac, and art store Monedas y Antiguidades (Coins and Antiques, Abasolo 107, between the upper end of Cinco de Mayo and Reforma, tel. 951/516-3935, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 6–9 p.m. Mon.–Sat., noon–3 p.m. Sun.). Browsers enjoy a potpourri of art, from kitsch to fine, plus a for-sale museum of dusty curios, from old silver coins and pioneer clothes irons to revolutionary photos and Porfirian-era tubas.