This show is wonderful and the people that host it treat the arts as they should be treated... with honor and respect. Please donate if you can... it is very hard for the artists to make enough money to travel to the show and every cent counts. The show is about the love of Mexican Folk Art and run completely by volunteers. Facebook, March 2012

I just came across your website while researching folk art in Mexico and planning a summer trip to Guanajuato. I live in Houston and have been visiting San Miguel de Allende for many years. I have travelled in Michoacan but have never been to your part of Mexico. Maybe I will be able to attend the Feria one day. Really just wanted to say thanks for the wonderful resource and for supporting the artists! It was great to read the bios and to learn more about the art that we have collected over the years. Gracias! Rodney (2012)

Another splendid Feria del Maestros! Congratulations to the board and volunteers for another spectacular event. The artisans of Mexico should be very proud and happy to be a part of this excellent show. My family hosted this year and so enjoyed the experience. From the host coordinator to the event coordinators, it was a very excellent time. (Guess you can tell I don't have enough words to describe how wonderful this is.) Bad news abounds; AND this is definitely good news. If you have never been: go next year. If you have never hosted: do so next year. If you have never been tempted to hang a wonderful hand wrought piece of Mexican art on your wall: do so next year. Thank you, Feria, for a great weekend. Chapala.Com weboard, November 2011

Thanks to the Feria, more people are aware of the Children's Art Program and Neill James' vision. We had such a wonderful time at the feria. We met a lot of interesting people that we can work with in our project. We have already asked for samples from some of the artisans, like Mariano Valadez, Guadalupe Lugo and Susana Valadez. We enjoyed it a lot, and now we have a lot of work to do. Marisa, November 2011

Thank you so much! and congratulations for this unforgettable event. I wanted to let you know just how much we enjoyed hosting Florentino Jimon Barba and his family this weekend for the Feria. Although we were somewhat surprised and taken aback to discover we were hosting 4 people rather than 2, we learned to roll with the punches as others have done countless times, and we had a good time with our limited Spanish, and their (very) limited English. By this morning's breakfast, we were laughing at jokes and Sr Jimon Barba's 12-year-old picky-eater daughter was eating like a true Canadian, including having maple syrup on her pancakes. Lynn, host November 2011

I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful experience it was to host Carlomagno Pedro and his wife Paula. They were utterly delightful and loved my animals, my home and were very appreciative of everything. I did receive a lovely gift. I am certainly interested in hosting again next year. I thought the Feria this year was the best in the 4 years I have been attending. Sandra, host November 2011

“I'm delighted with my family. The little girl, Mishka, is adorable and she loves all my animals. Demetrio has tons of charisma and charm - in the best way. And Asenia is also lovely. Abrazos, Phyllis” (a host in November, 2011)

What an event! I traveled to Mexico from Australia and when I found out about the Feria, I just had to go. Everyone was delightful, even to the point of including me in their after-Feria get-togethers and a trip to Pátzcuaro, Michoacán. I can't afford to come every year but will definitely be back in 2012. Gillian Chamberlain, Australia (2010)

This was our first time at Feria Maestros del Arte and we can't say enough about the organization, quality of art and just plain fun we had spending most of the day shopping and dining. We'll be back again next year but will be bringing more money next time! The Coopers, Riberas del Pilar, Jalisco (2010)

To everyone who works so hard on Feria Maestros del Arte, a huge thank you. We came to the show from Texas and had only planned on attending the show one day. We ended up going all three days and purchased so many wonderful pieces of art, we had them shipped home by your on-site shipper. Everything arrived in excellent condition and we are so happy we made the decision to come down to the show. Best of luck in the future, Frank & Joy, Texas (2009)

Marianne, you and crew are to be congratulated for putting on such a great event. I wound going two days and coming home exhausted, but with a huge smile. It was fablous. And Yes we spent a couple hundred dollars there. Thank you, thank you. Robert J. Denton (2009)

Although I live in Ajijic, I have heard about it but never attended this art show before. I was so delighted to see the quality of art you put together. I haven't gotten into collecting any Mexican art but am now hooked on Catrinas after seeing those sold by Laureano Martinez. It just goes to show, that you really don't know about something until you check it out for yourself. I'm so glad I went to the show. Barbara, Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico (2009)

Hola Feria Sisters! Thank you sooooooooooo much for asking Cruz Roja (the Red Cross) to do the full raffle this year. We appreciate being the beneficiary of the funds raised and were pleased to do whatever we could to make the Feria a success again this year. Also, I want you to know that I heard only positive comments from my friends regarding the excellence of the show and of the artisan's works. I agree that this Feria was even better than last year's show! Thanx again and ((((HUGS)))), Charlie K. (2009)

It was a wonderful show, very well put together, and well run as far as we could see! We attended twice, and I bought two clay sculptures that I just love. Good luck for the 2009 show - we have no idea if we will be here in Chapala next year, but if we are we look forward to it. Ken and Ev Trefz

Hi Marianne - I wrote about the show on my blog which you can click on below - it included photos of the dancers as well ..... I thoroughly enjoyed the whole event. The setting was lovely as well and the QQ B & B was magnificent - THANKS for all of your efforts! Barbara (2009)

Dear Marianne, I gave you my felicidades in person, but I want to say again how amazing the show was - and remembering how humble it all began years ago. But one thing hasn't changed, the smiles, charm and gentility of the wonderful Mexican artisans. You have really done something amazing. Phyllis Rauch (2009)

I have a large collection of Mexican folk art or popular art and have found this Feria to be the foremost exhibition of this work in Mexico. The structure and size of the organization and it's volunteer group is without peer in the art world as I know it. The exhibitors are so talented, congenial and appreciative of our interest in their endeavors and the volunteer group of people from all areas of the communities, both local, and international, combine to make each Feria exciting, educational and worthwhile. My personal experiences here have truly, I feel, made me more appreciative of the world around me and more aware of the amazing talents of the people of Mexico. Meeting and visiting with the individuals who make the incredible art work I collect is one of the most wonderful things that have ever happened to me. My help in creating this arena of art, knowledge and friendship gives me a real sense of doing good, doing right and doing a useful chore for humanity. I just cannot praise this event enough. (Taken from a review on Great Non-Profits)

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... Just get better and maybe pay a salary to the person who has given her own time and money to the cause and really can't afford it. (Taken from a review on Great Non-Profits)

I've seen the results of this organization in... It is a marvelous cultural exchange, a coming together of truly fine craftspeople and artists. I have seen this event grow from a very small one to a large one and it has not lost its original goal for a moment. It is magic. (Taken from a review on Great Non-Profits)

This organization is EVERYTHING it says it is. At first the artists don't believe it and don't quite trust it Once they have gone through one Feria, they know that it is really for them. They make a lot of money and pay none out other than a to buy a few meals. They are important and their work is important. As an artist I know what this means. Their family sees them as important and others want to be like them and learn the art and the art lives on. Never have I seen so much wonderful art in one place or been so moved by the creators of that art. The Feria is an experience for all. (Taken from a review on Great Non-Profits)

"Your mission is very much in the NOVICA spirit." Novica, in association with National Geographic

I want to congratulate you and your team for an amazing success and for having a venue such as the Feria for these gifted and talented artist - they truly are Maestros in their talents! Felicidades y mucho exito en el futuro. If there is any way our humble little gallery can be of service, please let us know. Galería del Sol, Pleasant Grove, Utah (2008)

Hi Marianne, Just wanted to let you know that the Juan Horta masks arrived in perfect condition. My husband was afraid to open the box for fear we had committed an error in spending so much money on masks we hadn't seen in person. But we love them both! They are so different you would not guess they were from the same artist, except for the extremely high level of artistry. I'm really delighted. Thank you for all your assistance. Carolynn (2008)

The work arrived today and all I can say is WOW. I knew what the work looked like from your pictures and having seen examples when we were in Mexico. And I had an idea of sizes from our conversations. But the reality of the work is much more than what we had imagined. Each piece is absolutely majestic. We all went through a lot to get this here and at one point I wondered if it was worth all the trouble. Well, now I know it was certainly worth it. We look forward to years of enjoyment. Thanks again for your help making this happen. Cheers, Don (2008)

I'm hoping that by now you have had time to recover from the weekend. you and your volunteers certainly did manage to put on a beautiful show! We had a smooth trip back to Oaxaca and all the artists had a wonderful time. I think, too, that I'm getting better at organizing this from the Oaxaca end. Linda Hanna, organize for the yearly bus of artists from Oaxaca (2008)

To the Host Coordinators Anne Flaningam and Bridget Andrews/2007: Just wanted to thank you both for all the time and attention you gave to matching hosts with maestros and you could not have picked a better couple than Prudencio Guzman and his wife for us. It was a marvelous experience and I am already writing an article for El Ojo del Lago or Lake Chapala Review about the experience of hosting artists to encourage interest for next year's show. it provided a valuable connection between the two cultures. We have all decided together, that next year Prudencio and his wife want to repeat as our hosted Feria guests. Thanks again for all your hard work. Carol Bowman and Ernie Sowers

This appeared in the Guadalajara Reporter newspaper on November 15, 2008

Dear Sirs,

Marianne Carlson, who just organized and oversaw another beautiful and successful Feria del Maestros del Arte at the Chapala Yacht Club, from November 7—9, deserves a huge vote of thanks from all of us who love to see and collect examples of the never-ending creativity of Mexico’s multi-talented artisans.

This was the seventh Maestros show, which brought together artists in dozens of media from all over Mexico. The show has become so well-known among collectors that folk-art collecting groups come from the U.S. to meet the craftsmen and women, and to buy directly from them. This year 62 artists from such widely scattered places as Oaxaca, Chihuahua, Jalisco, Guanajuato and Michoacan were represented at the Yacht Club, with an incredible array of both traditional and contemporary pieces in wood, clay, metal, weaving, embroidery, papier maché, straw work and glass. My husband and I are dedicated collectors, but anyone can appreciate the breath-taking variety, the singing colors, and the distinctive stamp of items made by hand to create both utilitarian and decorative pieces that spring from that fantastic well of creativity which is part of the “soul of Mexico.” If you missed the Feria del Maestros this year, or have never attended, make a note on your calendar for next November to be sure to participate in this outstanding event.

Foreigners living in the Lake Chapala area and in Guadalajara, do a great deal of good for local organizations by contributing money, goods, time and labor. Marianne Carlson and her group of dedicated assistants give the community a rare chance to meet directly with some of the best-known folk artists in Mexico, to talk with them, and to buy directly from them. Such artisan families as the Aguilars of Ocotlan, Oaxaca, the Quezedas and the Moras from Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, whose extremely fine pottery is sought by collectors all over the world, Irma Garcia Blanco, daughter of the late world-famous Teodora Blanco of Atzompa, Oaxaca and the Ojeda knife-making family from Sayula, Jalisco are just a very few of the artisans who took part in the Maestros show this year. The chance to meet them, to see their unique designs, their clever adaptations and new creations gives local residents a rare chance to experience the “Best of Mexico,” without traveling to the high desert of Chihuahua or to the far-southern reaches of Oaxaca. An event like this enriches our experience in Mexico, and of Mexico.

It is also very good for the artisans, who not only make money by the sale of their wonderful work, but have a chance to meet each other and appreciate their fellow-artists’ creativity and skill, not to mention the cross-cultural advantages the artisans have when they stay in local Lake-area homes and get to know their hosts.

Sombreros off to you, Marianne, and to all those who worked on this and other Maestros shows. Our lives are much enriched by your efforts, and our souls satisfied by the feast for the eyes and other senses that this gathering of artists represents. Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Janice and Glenn Hatfield
Col. Seattle, Zapopan

Gracias Marianne y todos, por todo el trabajo que hace para nosotros, muchas gracias. (Thank you Marianne and everyone for all the work you do on behalf of us artists, thank you so much). Angel Santos, Artist (2007)