by Linda Whynman, director of the Plein Air Contest

The vibrant streets, colorful architecture, and sun-drenched landscapes of San Miguel de Allende inspire global artists this November at the third annual San Miguel de Allende Watercolor Plein Contest.

Artists and art lovers from around the world will converge on this UNESCO World Heritage city to experience four days of creativity, culture, and connection.

The festival brings together artists from many countries, including Mexico, Peru, Canada, the United States, Spain, and more, fostering dialogue across cultures and styles. Local residents and visitors are invited to watch the creative process unfold, engage with artists, and watch professional demonstrations. The event offers prizes in three categories: daytime cityscape, nocturnal cityscape, and San Miguel's people.

San Miguel de Allende has long been a beacon for artists. Our goal is to celebrate the city's people, landscapes, and architecture, while creating opportunities for exchange between artists and the public. It's about capturing the spirit of San Miguel in the moment.

Following the success of the past Plein Contests, which drew participants from Mexico, Canada, the United States, and more, the 2025 event expands to include demonstrations led by significant artists including Juan Zaragoza, Vincente García, César Gordillo, and Darío Ccallo.

Darío Percy Ccallo, a watercolorist from Arequipa, has transformed the transparency of water into a poetic language that profoundly captures the spirit of the Andes and the vitality of Peruvian cities. With a renowned and multi-award-winning career in Peru and abroad, Ccallo has received national and international awards confirming his importance in contemporary watercolor painting.

Vicente García Fuentes, a Spanish watercolorist, transforms the transparency of water and color into landscapes charged with atmosphere and emotion. His works, inspired by the power of the seas and the vastness of the Nordic skies, reveal a singular mastery of atmosphere and light. He is the winner of multiple awards in numerous competitions and was recognized in 2024 with the Reina Sofía Prize for Painting and Sculpture. He is a member of the British Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, García's painting transcends descriptiveness to become a poetic experience.

César Gordillo is a Mexican watercolorist whose work is characterized by a profound interest in light and atmosphere. Combining a loose alla prima brushstrokes with controlled transparency, his watercolors are a sensitive experience that transcends literal representation. Throughout his career, he has participated in national and international group and solo exhibitions and has been recognized twice with the Tlacuilo Trophy.

Juan Manuel Zaragoza Zúñiga was born in Michoacán in 1979 and was a graduate of fine arts at the University of Guanajuato in 2002. Zaragoza's work contains nothing pretentious, nor dated; it reflects the timeless magnificence of nature and man's ability to not only appreciate but to co-create with the divine. He believes in the power of art to uplift, to inspire, to rejuvenate. He would love to see a world where great art is at the core of all societies and in everyone's life.

Our special guest is John Cogley, owner and CEO of Daniel Smith, who will share insights into the history of the company, how they source rare and unique pigments, and the science behind making artist colors.

The support of Galería San Francisco, our sponsors, and Fábrica la Aurora make this event possible. We are also deeply indebted to the organizational team of Tere Lejero, Irina Yushmanova, and César Gordillo.

Join us for this fun and unique event. We strongly encourage early registration since the number of participating artists is limited. For up-to-date information, visit www.IWSSMA.org. Volunteers are welcome.

www.IWSSMA.org

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