I want to begin this by saying that I am no art critic. I do not have the trained language of academia or the polished analysis of someone who studies art theory. I am simply an artist. And perhaps that gives me a different kind of perspective. I respond first with feeling, with instinct, with the quiet pull of something that moves me before I fully understand why.
Since I have been in Mérida, I have found myself deeply affected by the art woven throughout the historic center. What I thought might simply be a change of scenery has turned into an experience of discovery. As I wander the streets, I stumble across gallery after gallery, many of them obscure and quietly beautiful, tucked into old buildings that hold their own stories.
One of the most striking experiences was inside the Palacio de Gobierno. The building itself is stunning. I walk through parts of the mansion, climb the staircases, and move through long hallways that feel heavy with history. Then I enter the great hall, an enormous room filled with monumental murals.
The scale of the murals is overwhelming. Each one carries a force that mirrors the political and historical struggles of this region. They depict battles and pivotal moments with an intensity that is impossible to ignore. Standing inside a functioning government building, surrounded by artwork that openly confronts its own history, leaves me in awe. There is something powerful about a government choosing to display such emotionally charged work within its own walls. I cannot help but wish that my own country embraced its history in such a visible and unapologetic way.
Another place a friend recommended was Lux Perpetua Art Centre, which was hosting an all Latina women exhibition at the time of my visit.
One of the most memorable artists for me was Erika Harrsch. She weaves nature into every aspect of her paintings. The works are layered with detail and a sense of quiet whimsy. Seeing her sculptures displayed alongside her paintings adds another dimension to the experience. I feel drawn into the worlds she creates. There is a depth that invites me to linger and imagine stepping inside.
I also find myself at the Museo de la Ciudad de Merida, where a large exhibition of metal sculptures by the Mexico City artist Fabricio Vanden Broeck is on display.
I had never encountered his work before and immediately felt connected to it. His sense of irony and humor comes through clearly in each piece. The forms are simple and direct, yet conceptually strong. Some ideas translate effortlessly across language and culture, and his work is a perfect example of that.
Just down the street from the Palacio, inside the Museo Regional de Antropologia Palacio Canton, a local photographer exhibits scenes from daily life in Mérida.
These photographs capture small, intimate glimpses into the rhythm of the city. An entire room is filled with these images. Together they feel like a visual archive of legacy and lived experience. The single image I am sharing only represents a fraction of what is documented there.
Last month the city celebrated its birthday with a two week celebration throughout the historic center of Merida. Light based art installations were scattered across plazas and streets. I enjoy walking through the city at night and discovering each installation. Every artist approaches light differently. Some pieces feel playful while others feel immersive or contemplative. I appreciate that art is chosen as a central way to celebrate the city’s history and identity.
More recently, I wander through the Universidad de las Artes de Yucatan, where different rooms display student work across a range of mediums.
The diversity and strength of voice remind me of my own time at the Kansas City Art Institute. There is the same passion and urgency in how students express themselves. Seeing that energy again is both nostalgic and encouraging. I hope each of them continues to pursue their work with that same conviction.
Being here continues to shift something in me. I can feel it changing the way I see and the way I approach my work. This feels like only the beginning.
If you would like to follow along more closely, I share behind the scenes studio moments, early works, and pieces that never make it to social media with my mailing list subscribers. I would love to have you join and continue this journey with me.