Bazaar del Mundo market celebrates Latin American culture and art
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Jacobo Ángeles shows off a hand-carved and painted sculpture. Photo: Courtesy Bazaar Del Mundo
Old Town's Bazaar del Mundo will showcase artisans from around Mexico, Central and South America at its annual market this weekend.
Why it matters: The decades-old event helps artists gain international recognition while putting their rich cultures and traditions on display.
What to expect: From Aug. 1-3, Bazaar del Mundo's courtyard will become a marketplace for folk art, handwoven textiles, jewelry, ceramics and clay pottery.
- Artists will also do demonstrations to showcase their craftsmanship.
- Andean folk band Tinku Duo will perform and Casa Guadalajara will sell tacos and drinks.
Over the years, Diane Powers, owner-operator of Bazaar del Mundo, has met the artisans in their studios and workshops while traveling across Latin America.
- This year's event, billed as "The Best of the Best," will feature a smaller group of about a dozen folk artists.
Zoom in: The Latin American Market opened the door for Oaxacan artisans Jacobo and María Ángeles 27 years ago, and helped them cultivate relationships with collectors from San Diego and around the U.S.
- The pair is known for their colorful, hand-carved and painted wooden figurines of mythical animal spirit guides called alebrijes that were featured in the movie "Coco," and are important to Oaxacan and Zapotec cultures.
- The pieces, which can take about a year to make, range from $15 to over $350.
- They'll also be selling goods from other workshops from their town, San Martín Tilcajete in Oaxaca, Mexico.
What they're saying: "In these times of division and of insecurity, these events are a way of bringing people together and building bridges from one culture to another," Jacobo Ángeles told Axios through a translator.
- "It's important to show the beauty from every different culture to people in San Diego," he said.
If you go: The free festival runs from 10am-8pm Friday and Saturday, and until 6pm on Sunday.
- Find free parking at the Caltrans parking lot across the street after 5pm Friday and all day on the weekend.