For Creatives in San Miguel de Allende, the Past and Present Collide

With its cobblestone streets, Spanish Baroque architecture, and thriving crafts scene, San Miguel de Allende has long been a window into traditional Mexico. Now, local and transplanted designers are springboarding off the pretty city’s history, with decidedly modern results.

Published August 29, 2023

San Miguel de Allende has historically been such a magnet for expats of a certain age that Mexicans have come to refer to it jokingly as Jurassic Park. The colonial town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has long seduced visitors with its caught-in-amber allure and robust traditional gallery circuit. But a boom in commercial and residential development, coupled with an emerging young arts-and-crafts scene, has given San Miguel a fresh identity.

A four-hour drive or a one-hour flight from Mexico City, it’s become a Hamptons of sorts for urbanites seeking a weekend escape. It’s also increasingly pulling creatives from within and outside Mexico who are drawn to its small-town vibe and access to exceptional artisans who can help realize their designs. Jorge Almada and his wife, Anne-Marie Midy, founders of home-furnishings company Casamidy, were pioneers when they arrived from Mexico City in 1996. “It wasn’t on the map; there was no design community,” recalled Almada. The duo quickly became darlings of that international scene. Casamidy still maintains a by-appointment showroom here and just opened Tiendita, a tiny shop selling small, easily transported pieces made in the area: decorative pillows, woven backgammon sets, waxed canvas totes, and jackets hand-beaded by a Wixárika artist.

Inspired by Casamidy, younger creatives have been arriving steadily in recent years, especially during the pandemic. Thirty-somethings Giulia Zink and Mat Trumbull of OHLA Studio moved here from the Bay Area three years ago and decided to stay; they built a house with a gallery space, created a creative residency program, and produced their inaugural line of furniture in partnership with local craftspeople. They also became friendly with Daniel Valero, an award-winning 34-year-old Mexican artist and designer known for his vibrant and energetic furniture, ceramics, and tapestry designs. He moved to the area four years ago because he “found a refuge to create.” He just launched his showroom, Mestiz, this summer and is currently conceptualizing an installation to open this February at the Denver Art Museum. Valero “loves that this is a walkable city with a history that is very much alive,” he says. “And the incredible amount of color inspires my practice.”

Read more […]