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Authentic, hand-painted Mata Ortiz Pottery, colorful Mexican folk art and vibrant artisan jewelry will be just some of the artwork featured at the annual Latin American Festival and Mata Ortiz Pottery Market, August 2 to 4, at the Bazaar del Mundo Shops in Old Town, San Diego.
The vibrant marketplace ensconced beneath a colorful array of umbrellas with artists from Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador and other Latin American countries, showcases one of the most extensive collections of genuine Latin American folk art, traditional clothing and textiles, colorful collectibles and dazzling jewelry this side of the border.
San Diego’s largest collection of authentic Mata Ortiz pottery, a centuries-old art form renowned for its detailed process and hand-painted geometric and ancestral symbols, will be the highlight of the event with several skilled potters showcasing their wares, including Jorge Quintana a principal Mata Ortiz artist whose work has been displayed in museums all over the world.
Live demonstrations will be performed for eager festival-goers, as artists hack away at wooden stumps to reveal life-like animal figures, weave hand-pulled wool into intricate textiles and skillfully paint delicate designs onto hand-formed clay pots.
Other traditional crafts and sought-after handmade goods include: San Antonio embroidery, tinwork, Talavera pottery, Oaxacan wooden animal carvings, Guatemalan weaving, various colorful and symbolic wall art and sculptures, Huichol yarn and bead paintings and one-of-a-kind pottery from the farthest regions of Mexico.
Some of this year’s selected artists include:
• Tiburcio Soteno Fernandez: masterful pottery artist from Metepec, Mexico, specializing in spectacular “Trees of Life” ceramic pieces
• Jose Jorge Garcia Garcia: traditional silver jewelry artist from Oaxaca, Mexico
• Lacey Waddell: Day of the Dead jewelry artist from San Diego
TINKU, a Latin American Folk band, will perform over 19 musical rhythms from throughout Latin America on authentic native instruments. Mouth-watering Mexican cuisine from neighboring Casa Guadalajara restaurant will be for sale, completing the cultural aesthetic, making visitors feel as though they’ve stepped into one of Mexico’s rural markets.
The event runs 10 am. to 8 pm. Friday and Saturday, and 10 am. to 5 pm. on Sunday.
Inside the colorful stores, shelves will be brimming with gifts and goods imported from Mexico and Latin America, as well as books on travel, culture, architecture, arts and crafts and food.
About Bazaar del Mundo
Diane Powers’ Bazaar del Mundo Shops and her group of restaurants (bazaardelmundo.com) are San Diego’s recognized destinations for international cultures and Mexican-spirited cuisine.
The Bazaar del Mundo Shops create a lively and colorful entry to San Diego’s Old Town community while Powers’ restaurants Casa Guadalajara, Casa de Pico and Casa de Bandini which make up the Bazaar del Mundo Restaurant Group, provide authentic Mexican flavor and ambience throughout San Diego County.
The Shops are comprised of colorful boutiques, each offering unique gifts from all over the world, home accessories and collectibles, plus fashion, arts and crafts.
The Bazaar del Mundo Shops and Casa Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant are at the north entrance to Old Town on the corner of Juan and Taylor. Casa de Pico is located at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa, 619-463-3267. Casa de Bandini is located at 1901 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, 760-634-3443. Casa Sol y Mar is located at 12865 El Camino Real at Del Mar Highlands Town Center, 858-792-4100.
For more information call 619-296-3161 or visit the website.
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