Description of the attraction
The Museum of Popular Art was opened under the auspices of the American Institute of Art in Cuzco. The American Institute of the Arts decided to create a folk art museum to preserve the tradition of pure Peruvian art. One of its first activities was the organization of the "Most Popular Artwork of the Year" competition, which took place at the Santuranticuya Christmas Market on December 24, 1937. Since this date, the Institute has constantly encouraged the work of artists who preserve the folk traditions of ceramic sculptors.
During its existence, the American Institute of the Arts has not received any support from the state in its endeavors. The prizes were donations from the public and private firms. The history of the museum has been intertwined with the history of the institute for almost eighty years of the artistic life of Cusco.
In the Museum of Folk Art, you can see sculptures, ceramics and other works of art created by famous contemporary masters from Cusco - Edilberto Merida Ilario Mendivil, Santiago Rojas, Maximilian Palomino Sierra and Antonio Olav. The museum also has an extensive gallery of modern art with paintings by Francisco Gonzalez Gamarra, Mariano Fuentes Lyra, Agustin Rivero, and an extensive collection of images by Martin Chambi and Vidal Gonzalez.
Today, the Museum of Folk Art attracts all beauty lovers, makes a valuable contribution to the aesthetic education of the younger generation, captivating them with the study of folklore and ethnology.
