The gallery is located eight kilometers north of San Miguel de Allende towards the Dolores Hidalgo highway. It was recommended to us by our friend from ArtTourSMA and he was not wrong “it is the best collection of Mexican popular art that we have ever seen in our lives” and not only we say so but thousands of experienced travelers.
The Atotonilco Gallery is one of the best collections of Mexican art with pieces from all over the country. The gallery owner Mayer Shacter shares his knowledge and stories freely, having traveled all over Mexico to carefully select each item.
Mayer Shacter, a ceramicist, whose career flourished for twenty-seven years before he gradually moved away from it in favor of dealing in mid-century antiques and vintage, modern furniture, and the decorative arts. He brings over fifty years of experience as a ceramics collector, dealer, and artist. His eye for beauty, innovation, and quality craftsmanship is highly refined by his experience. He finds the best artists and then purchases their best work, often commissioning pieces, so many of the items in the gallery are one-of-a-kind.
Eight acres of ancient mesquite trees and fronting the Laja River, Mayer and his wife, writer Susan Page, found the abandoned property in 2001, including two warehouses that had been a rattan furniture factory. They hired landscape architect Tim Wachter and, working with architects Steven and Cathi House, transformed the property and buildings into a spectacular home and gallery. The unusual architecture has been called “contemporary organic” or “modern baroque.” It is definitely unconventional, a style all its own.
We mega-super love what you are about to read: Every purchase you make supports a hardworking and talented family of artists and helps preserve Mexico's distinctive culture.
Since you will be outside the center of San Miguel, you can take advantage of this visit and visit the Gallery of Monica Galera – who creates incredible works of art from natural fibers found on her land. Just 500m north of Galería Atotonilco, her showroom is open by appointment: 415185-2111 or mg@monicagalera.com.
You can also relax at the hot springs: either at La Gruta or Escondido Place, which are located half a kilometer from the gallery. Both are open daily, from 8am to 5pm.
If you're looking to continue exploring, twenty minutes north is the charming town of Dolores Hidalgo, the birthplace of Mexican independence and home to dozens of large ceramic factories and shops with Talavera-style pottery. The town is also known for its old Mexican market and its wide variety of ice cream flavors. Have you ever tried rose petal ice cream? Avocado ice cream? That's just the beginning.
Before going to La Galería Atotonilco, we inform you that it is only open by appointment.
(415) 185-2225
galeriaatotonilco.com
F: Atotonilco Gallery
YO: gallery_atotonilco
