Artists and Craftsmen

Merida’s artists and craftsman have a special charm. They work with their with hands and heart, and not so much for making money. Inside an old and cool house in the Paramo Route, you may see an old women working all the day, making a soft, warm, and beautifully made sweater or witness the crafting of other typical products, such as wood carvings or mud chapes.

On the Paramo Route, in San Rafael de Mucuchies, you’ll see the works of perhaps the most important artist of our region. Juan Felix Sanchez, is considered internationally, as an artist of acclaim in the media of plastics, and among other patrons, he has been commissioned by Unesco.

Juan had his first public showing at the age of 10. Beginning with wood and stone, his principal work(trabajo) is located in this,a small chapel, constructed by himself, and out of stone.

In an interview, he was asked: “why did you build the chapel?” His simple reply: “because it was needed”.At the gallery in the Principal Market you’ll find the special works of Manuel Arjona and his Paper Dreams. His media is paper and glue. “This material is human-like, smooth when new, and wrinkled when old. If you to leave it, it will dissapear. If you care for it, and nurture it, it will survive”.

In other sectors, like Jaji, the artists work with their own materials, like “anime” which they make at home, and carve to represent their people. In Lagunillas they use the frond of the palm to make baskets. Just about any area that you visit will have a distinguishing media or artistic presentation; representing years of passing down the skills from generation to generation.

PLACES TO WALK
Merida has many places where you can walk and breath in the fresh air. Around avenues like Andres Bello, and Urdaneta, you’ll find large green spaces with beautiful trees and flowers.

Visit Poet’s Park, with monuments in honor of our writters. Las Heroína’s Park, in front of the Teleferico, is a popular park with a large circular pond and a favorite park of the children of Merida

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MERIDA’S SUNFAIR
During the second and third week of February, The City of Merida celebrates with an annual fair. People from all over the country, and from other nations as well, come to enjoy the diverse attractions. You’re invited to be our guest of honor with activities such as the four days of bullfights (corrida de toros), with bullfighters (toreros) from all over the world. There are expositions of handcrafts, clothing, and many other products. The fair is a time of excitement, days full of breezes with warm sun, and nights of entertaiment, dance, food, and celebration. For a nice day of variety, visit the exposition during the morning, take in a wonderful lunch at one of our restuarants and fill your “bota” (animal skin flask) with wine-Venezuela has some great wines- and take it to the bullfights in the afternoon. At night take in a disco or a show. During the Fair, the different restaurants and tascas (bar’s), offer live shows with Venezuelan music featuring artists from the area.