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

By Felecia Ford With her captivating mix of live looping, heartfelt folk, and soulful pop, Colombian artist Stephyloren has become a magnetic presence in San Miguel de Allende. After performing more than 300 concerts across México and recently opening for Siddhartha before 50,000 people in Toluca, she continues to enchant audiences across Latin America with her authenticity and luminous stage presence. Stephyloren’s creative awakening began during the pandemic, when a vivid d

By Robin Loving What happens when unicorns unite? A creative coupling! Unicorn Judith Jenya was exhibiting her visual art in Guanajuato in 2010 when - during the last hour of the show - Unicorn Mark Johaningsmeir showed up. Thus began their origin story. They swapped stories, then emails, then went to the Cervantino Festival concerts – again and again and again. The final concert of the season was sold out, and then abruptly changed venues. The two volleyed between venues in

By Aundria McMillan Humphrey During a recent afternoon in San Miguel, the gallery Marquesa De Mancera was buzzing with life. Located on Cuna de Allende, directly across from the Parroquia of Saint Michael the Archangel, the space glowed with color, texture, and story. Visitors wandered through the exquisitely curated displays of Mexican folk art, while staff—trained by Marina herself—shared the stories behind each piece. For Marina Fernández de Córdova , this isn’t just a ga

By Bill Wilson Fiat Lux” Latin for “Let there be Light! — Third verse in the Book of Genesis. “Never stop seeing the light to achieve an excellent photograph," observes San Miguel de Allende photographer Gustavo Coria . Gustavo Coria didn’t start out to be a professional photographer. He studied Veterinary Zootechnician at UNAM in México City. “It’s a profession I do not practice. My experience has focused on photography in its various fields: press, scientific, journalistic,

By Aundria McMillan Humphrey Maru Vázquez , with seven international awards, doesn’t just paint; she radiates art and lives it. It’s who she is, and she shares it generously, like it’s second nature. With over five decades of painting behind her, Maru’s recent 50 th anniversary exhibition at the Querétaro Art Museum was more than a milestone—it was a celebration of a life steeped in emotion, adventure, and relentless creativity. Asked how her voice/art has changed over the y

By Natalie Taylor What happens when you meld classical, contemporary, and Mexican folklore dances? You get a marvelous combination of mellow, ancient movements and sounds, and the crispness of modern motion. The blend of ancestral Mexican dances, the poetry of traditional songs, the colorful attire, and the lithe moves of contemporary dance, combined with contemporary sounds and lights become a dream state turned reality. Ballet Nepantla was born in 2017 in New York, with And

By Catherine Marenghi The annual San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival, despite its name, is not just for writers. Several years ago, the conference added a Pleasures of Reading category to its workshop offerings. Unlike other workshop offerings, these do not focus on structured learning, lectures, or exercises. Their only purpose is to enjoy the sheer pleasure of reading. The program features world-class authors. Judyth Hill , a poet and teacher who will lea

By Pascual Hijuelos Graphic design is probably one of the most grueling and competitive career fields an artist can pursue. Essentially you are expected to generate a profitable income for your client through your art work. There is little time for good will and humanitarian pursuits. Marvin Berk is an artist who was able to achieve commercial success and support humanitarian causes throughout his artistic career. For over forty years Marvin worked as a graphic designer—be

By Mark Rewerts Art transcends time, culture, and language, serving as a mirror to the human experience. Its value lies not only in aesthetic beauty but also in its ability to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and inspire change. Warren Buffet is quoted as saying “price is what you pay, value is what you get.” One of my most recent careers was in vintage and antique resale. My partner and I would spend hours attending estate sales and there was always one common thread. You

By Bill Wilson Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle - Former Senator and basketball great Bill Bradley . San Miguel writer Rosaleen Bertolino is one of those authors who had a circuitous route to becoming published. She tried many jobs and says, "I think some of being a writer is temperament (I’m one of those people who always knows the right thing to say two hours too late), and some is desire, and a ton is persistence." And like many writers she show

By Tiffany Paige Every so often in San Miguel, you meet someone whose story feels like it could only have unfolded here, where daring choices, cultural mash-ups, and creativity swirl together into something magnetic. For me, one of those people is my friend and artist, Kato Rempel . Kato’s journey began in Vancouver, BC, where she worked in digital graphic design during its groundbreaking years. After more than a decade, she did what few would dare: she left behind stability

By Judith Jenya From the time they were three years old, both Dan and Nisha Ferguson knew they would be artists. Neither strayed from that path. Each was the eldest of three siblings, leading younger brothers or sisters into endless childhood adventures. They met at the Art Centre of the Technical School of Ontario in Toronto. After graduation, their friendship grew into a partnership in life and art. By 1991 they were collaborating, had a business and launched a creative jou

By Catherine Marenghi Sometimes confused with its most famous program – the San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival – the San Miguel Literary Sala is the nonprofit umbrella organization that has been the focal point for San Miguel literary activity for more than 20 years. The organization was founded in 2004 by Susan Page , who moved to San Miguel in 2002. “I immediately noticed there seemed to be no local literary events – no readings, no writer gatherings,” P

By Felecia Ford At just 17 years old, Olymar Salinas attended master classes in his hometown of Tepic, Nayarit, México with...

By Aundria McMillan Humphrey In San Miguel de Allende, not every keeper of tradition stands in the spotlight. One such guardian is Bill...

by John Dodge Meyer and Meryl Truett If you’re visiting Fabrica La Aurora on one of our bright, promising San Miguel afternoons, you just...

By Natalie Taylor In a rural setting, only twenty minutes from San Miguel de Allende’s Centro, is a small compound surrounded by trees...

By Catherine Marenghi San Miguel de Allende is home to a vibrant literary community that nourishes both new and established talent....

By Judith Jenya Peter Prip , a fifth-generation silversmith from Copenhagen, Denmark, and Leslie Block, a successful jewelry designer and...