By Judith Jenya Some people arrive in San Miguel de Allende and leave their mark quietly, over decades, through relationships, creativity, and an open door. Patsy Dubois  is one of those people. Having lived in San Miguel for more than 50 years, she has witnessed — and participated in — the city’s transformation from a small colonial town into the international cultural center it is today. Artist, cook, storyteller, and host, Patsy is one of San Miguel’s most interesting and

By Isabel Castrejón Pascacio In a world saturated with mass-produced fashion, the experience of buying a garment from a local designer is a breath of fresh air. It’s not just about what you wear, it’s about how you came to own it. When clients interact with the person behind the piece, explore customization options, and learn about the story stitched into the fabric, something magical happens: the clothing becomes more than an item, it becomes part of a personal story and sty

By Carolina de la Cajiga “So far, the best I’ve heard in 2026 is: ‘Nos encanta tocar las flautas dulces!’” (We love playing recorders!). This is what two of my fourth-grade students yelled when they saw me coming on a recent cold morning.” Since 2019, Barbara Lee Ungar , Barbarita , has been a volunteer music teacher at Pedro Moreno Primary School, in Salitrillo, a poor, rural community on the outskirts of San Miguel. “I teach a recorder class and a general music class using

By Jonathan Lockwood Six years ago I received an email from a mezcal maniac friend here in San Miguel de Allende. I had to go check out BEKEB . A young Mexican woman was in charge and had some impressive experience as a mezcal-savvy bartender in New York City. Cecilia and I went there 3 or 4 times, but Fabiola Padilla  wasn’t there. Maybe two years ago another mezcal maniac friend, in town for a while, wanted us to meet him at BEKEB . As a knowledgeable mixologist, he was blo

By Susan Knight York There is no chef that’s left more of an impact on the culinary profile of San Miguel de Allende than Chef Donnie Masterton  of The Restaurant . He has influenced so many people, including young people zwho are working in culinary careers in San Miguel. The level of respect for him runs deep. In the 14 years I’ve been writing about  the culinary scene in San Miguel, I’ve learned one thing: it’s hard to miss how many aspiring young cooks have passed through

By Natalie Taylor Nadine Goodman  came to San Miguel from New York in the 1970s. A friend owned a house here and suggested she visit so that she could study Spanish. It was not intended to be a permanent move, but in 1981, Nadine  met her future husband, Alejandro González Rullán , and settled here. Alejandro was an actuary who had studied at UNAM. But he was also an activist, and his concern with social justice was in sync with Nadine’s beliefs. In the US, Nadine was always

By Colleen Sorenson ASfii RUbnck  is a San Miguel artist who truly loves his job at CASA A.C. Center for Adolescents in Santa Julia, where he teaches graffiti art and promotes the projects of the Ranchero Pandillero Program . This program was started in 2018 by artists from different neighborhoods with unique painting styles. The goal is to reduce the rates of violence among young people through art and hip-hop, and a focus on promoting peace between neighborhoods with respec

By Staff Writer Just how does a sculptor get the sculpting bug? There are many avenues that lead to the creation of art in three dimensions, but the most prevalent is undoubtedly the natural progression from making functional pottery to sculpting with clay. Jane  sold her own original tableware designs and pottery successfully all across Canada for twenty-five years. Then, after being inspired by visiting the Mask Museum in San Miguel in 2008, she began creating her first cla

By Doreen Cumberford January in San Miguel delivers us some cool misty mornings and the annual ritual of New Year’s resolutions. But for expats, the concept of cultural goal-setting often misses the mark. Moving to México and learning Spanish is way more than logistics and vocabulary, yes, it's about connection and day-by-day personal growth. We all arrived with eagerness and good intentions. Yes, of course we'll learn Spanish, make local friends, immerse ourselves in Mexican

By Carolina de la Cajiga The day Cris Solís  and her husband arrived in San Miguel as newlyweds, someone stole all their belongings—including their hammock and family photos. “That’s how we started our life here in 2015,” says Cris with a hearty laugh, typical of Veracruz, where she’s from. Luckily for San Miguel de Allende, they stayed. “The first few months were complicated, especially when I got pregnant,”  she recalls, “but I was fortunate to meet other women in similar s

By Pascual Hijuelos Paper has long been regarded the handmaiden for conveying the written word and visual imagery. Its rich history spans over 2,000 years, originating in ancient China. From its inception in China, paper has evolved to become both a physical object and a central theme in the world of art. Terry Tomlinson , an artist specializing in paper-based creations, has been crafting remarkable art using paper for 23 years. Her extensive experience culminated in a recent

By Isabel Castrejón Pascacio Fashion has long been driven by youth-centric imagery, trends, and marketing strategies. Yet one of the most loyal, discerning, and financially independent audiences remains largely overlooked: mature clients. This demographic, often defined as individuals over 50, possesses a deep appreciation for quality, personal style, and craftsmanship. Designing for them is not about following fleeting trends, but about creating clothing that respects experi

By Carlos Ramírez Zago At just 21 years old, Diego Galván González  has found in mixed martial arts (MMA) much more than a sport: a way of life. Although he was born in Dolores Hidalgo, he has spent most of his personal journey in San Miguel de Allende, the city that has seen him grow into a disciplined, down-to-earth young man with determination. He describes himself as “ a simple, humble, friendly guy, dedicated to anything he sets his mind to, disciplined, and a little cra

By Stan Allen, 8-year volunteer On November 20, 2015, ABBA House opened its doors for the first time. Pastor Ignacio  and his young family realized that migrant need and care required more than hot meals and warm clothing delivered daily from the trunk of the family car. Pastor Ignacio had a humanitarian and ambitious vision 10 years ago! The initial mission of ABBA House was to offer migrants fleeing violence, poverty, and oppression in their Central American countries, a pl

By Felecia Ford Elihú Catalán , better known as “Blue Beard”  is one of México’s most distinctive and accomplished harmonica players. Born and raised in México City, he was shaped early on by the music his parents played at home and later refined through his lifelong dedication to the blues. Although guitar was his first instrument (he ROCK’S the guitar), the harmonica ultimately has became his true love and passion.  FF:  Thank you for this opportunity to share your story. W

By Judith Jenya Few artistic partnerships are as intertwined—in life, in work, and in spirit—as that of painters Ray Miller and William Martin . Their paths began miles apart, shaped by very different landscapes and early influences, yet converged years later in the creative corridors of San Miguel de Allende’s Fábrica La Aurora. Today, after years of movement, reinvention, and dedication to their craft, the couple have returned to San Miguel i with renewed plans: to teach, t

By Natalie Taylor Difficult times can either break or strengthen, and often what rises from adversity is a positive beginning. With the world deeply bruised by WWI, writer Catherine Amy Dawson searched for a way for writers to unite, since nations had failed to do so.  “We must talk to one another,”  she wrote in her letters addressed to writers everywhere, encouraging them to break the wall of hatred that had been left behind by the war. On October 5, 1921, the PEN Club —the

By Carolina de la Cajiga Aura Moreno  came to San Miguel de Allende for a short visit but ended up staying. “Seeing San Miguel through the eyes of a tourist and those of a resident are two very different things. Since 2020, I’ve been wandering around town calmly—chatting with the lady in the parking lot, the neighbor at a concert, or anyone I meet along the way. My life here is full of unexpected surprises and stories. One day I realized San Miguel had become my home, and my

By Natalie Taylor On the corner of Insurgentes and Pepe Llanos, where the buses make a stop, a small stand calls attention to itself with the lovely aroma that emanates from it. At the far edge of Plaza Zaragoza you can buy small bags of freshly fried churros , either plain or rellenos —filled with chocolate or dulce de leche . The stand is attended by Marlene  and Carlos , sister and brother, whose grandfather began the business. Jose Remedios Navarro and his wife, María Ele

By Charles Woollett Good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries -  It was a serendipitous meeting. At our mutual friend, Michelle Steed’s Casa Grande, Newcomers party over two years ago. Slowly making our way up the stairs, the conversation naturally got around to where are you from? “Bella Vista, Arkansas” , said my wife Linda. “No way - me too!” , exclaimed Tim. And that was the beginning of a dear friendship. As it turns out he'd had an exhibition at Alice Wal