About Us
Anne Damon started Zinnia Folk Arts in 2008. She's collected Mexican folk art for over 25 years, researching and seeking the finest artisans of a variety of styles in the many small towns of Mexico. Anne, who has a MA in Arts Administration, has been a Research Assistant at the Science Museum of Minnesota focusing on the Donald & Dorothy Cordry collection of Mexican Folk Art.
The purpose of Zinnia Folk Arts is to import and sell excellent quality folk art, to increase the number of folk art collectors in the Twin Cities and elsewhere, and to support Mexico’s amazing folk artisans. Zinnia Folk Arts purchases directly from artisans, visiting them in their homes or studios all over Mexico. We also buy from local mercados and a few Mexican folk art dealers to bring you interesting and unique pieces. Everything is selected in person by Anne Damon.
We aim to capture a small part of the beauty, color, whimsy, elegance and joy of Mexico by selecting the highest quality folk arts we can find. You can join our email list right here.
Why “Zinnia” Folk Arts?
Zinnias are a native Mexican flower known for their infinite variety and color. Just like the wide variety of styles, colors and choices in Mexican folk Art, the zinnia is a great symbol of the joyful sunny side of life that so much folk art conveys.
What is Mexican folk art?
Good question! Folk art is always some kind of hand made object and is usually considered a craft rather than a fine art. That's true about folk art from all over the world. The usual distinction between folk art and craft is that folk art arises from a cultural, regional or familial tradition or belief that has been passed on from generation to generation--so that object you see on our website (like a Day of the Dead catrina or a beautiful silver earring) has a long history of being made in Mexico. These objects have been made over the years by Mexican artisan families and some of them get REALLY good at it. And then some of them take it to a new level trying traditional motifs in a quirky and unusual way. These are the objects you'll see at Zinnia Folk Arts!
