People often talk about the “evolution” of art as if it were a direct derivative of past events, an opinion that is not shared by the director of the Ignacio Ramírez “El Nigromante” Cultural Center.

Since her arrival in San Miguel de Allende she has discovered that art is a living entity that is in perpetual and tireless movement through the ages and that our city is an anthill in which locals of all ages give free rein to their creative inspiration supported by institutions like the one that Laura is proud to lead. 

How can you deny working in a place that housed artists and pieces by Siqueiros, Rivera, Picasso and Mistral? Given the impossibility of refuting such an honour, Laura arrived with a clear mission in mind: not to forget the past but at the same time to emphasise the present and the constant support that the Institute offers its students; classes in sculpture, weaving, folkloric dance, film, painting, photography and ceramics are just some of the options that the avid learner can choose from. 

Protecting universal cultural rights by keeping the Necromancer open and affordable with multiple traveling exhibitions has been a task that the director has been determined to preserve.

Within the ever-lively hallways of the old house, Laura inexorably finds her steps being directed into the bookstore where she usually contemplates one of her favorite murals, “La pulquería” by Pedro Márquez, which represents a very fun symbolism for her, since although some would think that the concept of a pulquería within a bookstore is not right because it breaks its solemnity, for her it complements it perfectly by giving it the interpretation that both literature and pulque represent an exaltation for the senses, and she is not wrong. 

Of course, another mural of his preference is the one created by Siqueiros. What draws his attention is the collective work that David Alfaro enjoyed doing. “For him, rather than painting on an easel, which resulted in private enjoyment, he preferred muralism, which resulted in the public eye” and it is this spirit of artistic collectivism that has served as inspiration for both Siqueiros and Bustos Cardona to create a community. 

For the 60th anniversary of our emblematic and beloved Necromancer, Laura and her team have prepared a number of fun surprises for us, starting on Saturday, August 13 at 5pm with a parade of mojigangas that will represent important people from the historic site such as its beloved founder Sister Lina de La Canal, preceded by a fun kermesse party in the central courtyard.

On Wednesday the 17th, which is the actual anniversary day (on this date but in 1962 the institute was incorporated into Bellas Artes) at 5 o'clock there will be an open microphone for anyone who wants to tell an anecdote that happened inside El Nigromante, thus weaving a collective history that continues to be written...

In the evening, a symphonic concert will be held at the Miguel Malo Auditorium, in which the original concert that took place 6 decades ago will be reinterpreted. If this were not enough, at the end all attendees will gather for a grand toast in honor of the past and future glory of the venue.

An artistic cradle of splendid local artists and a must-see site in terms of Mexican culture, we have no doubt that great years await the Necromancer under the guidance of Laura Bustos Cardona.