By Pamela Fink
Seeing an inert rag doll represents for Angelica the same thing as for a child, a world of possibilities and unexplored stories. It is this fabulous capacity of imagination that allows a child to transform an old cardboard box into a state-of-the-art car, the same that made Tijerina capable of founding the Museo del Juguete Popular Mexicano also known as The Corner Museum.
It was during her childhood years in Monterrey that the fascination with the toys that her father brought her from other places and the circumstances that led little Angélica to begin saving all these playful treasures.
But over time, his collection grew to such an extent that they no longer fit in his house in Monterrey!
The solution? Moving to her vacation home in San Miguel with her husband Alfredo and starting a new dollhouse, but in real life. After taking a diploma in museology, Angélica felt ready to start this game known as life.
With five sections, the Corner Museum It is unique in its kind by presenting a collection of toys of all textures, materials, colors and flavors.
Something that its founder has never agreed with is that many times people think of a single model of Mexican doll as the only representation of Mexican women, even though she has found many examples throughout her life. Each one with a different story, unique materials, special use of colors, and beautiful hands from the home of unrepeatable Mexicans; just as the representation of Mexican women is very varied, so are their dolls.
The wonder and care with which Angélica looks after her vivid and fragile Mexican toys has led her to think of ways to preserve them and at the same time support the master craftsmen who continue the work of figures such as the great Don Shinda (Gumersindo España Olivares) who have not ceased to put the name of Mexico at the top in terms of inventiveness and fun.
The solution they have come up with is very creative, launching the National Popular Toy Competition year after year, divided into several categories such as cardboard and tin (very popular in San Miguel), textile toys and wooden toys, among others. Its power to attract is such that in the first edition alone, more than 500 artisans sent their incredible pieces, with more than 35 winners in each of their respective categories.
The museum located at Núñez #40 Col. Centro, also offers Saturday workshops from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. so that both children and adults can discover the pleasure of being a toy artisan and how they have fun like children in the process of bringing their toys to life.
