<text class="_textbox_mtetp_15" direction="ltr" height="11.8829956054688" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="85.8193969726562" x="92.0800018310547" y="-385.100006103516" data-test="textbox">Z&eacute;lika Garc&iacute;a </text><text class="_textbox_mtetp_15" direction="ltr" height="11.8829956054688" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="327.719161987305" x="182.200698852539" y="-385.100006103516" data-test="textbox">transformed her dream into reality with Mexican </text><text class="_textbox_mtetp_15" direction="ltr" height="11.8829956054688" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="43.2292938232422" x="115.85090637207" y="-369.100006103516" data-test="textbox">art fair </text><text class="_textbox_mtetp_15" direction="ltr" height="11.7300109863281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="72.5509033203125" x="163.329315185547" y="-369.100006103516" data-test="textbox">Zona Maco, </text><text class="_textbox_mtetp_15" direction="ltr" height="11.8659973144531" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="130.974807739258" x="242.386703491211" y="-369.100006103516" data-test="textbox">which celebrates its </text><text class="_textbox_mtetp_15" direction="ltr" height="11.8829956054688" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="107.327789306641" x="377.576812744141" y="-369.100006103516" data-test="textbox">20th anniversary.</text>

Building Latin America&rsquo;s largest, most recognized <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/summer-art-fairs-2023-art-basel">art fair</a> is no small endeavor. For founder Z&eacute;lika Garc&iacute;a, this achievement has been 20 years in the making. After studying <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/graphic-design-lofficiel-archives-pierre-armand-covillot">art</a> at Mexico&rsquo;s University of Monterrey, Garc&iacute;a began her journey to create Zona Maco with a visionary concept, firm <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/best-salvador-dali-artist-quotes">ambition</a>, and an unwavering belief in success. Though she intended to become an artist, her life plans changed with a visit to the Expo Arte Guadalajara art fair in the 1990s. Garc&iacute;a was especially affected by that fair&rsquo;s ability to connect and foster <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/dior-cruise-2024-collection-mexico-city-resort">Mexico&rsquo;s</a> creative communities. When the event closed permanently in 1998, she devised her own take on a Mexican art fair experience.
Garc&iacute;a&rsquo;s initial endeavor, Muestra, evolved into what is now Zona Maco &mdash; expanding from a few dozen booths in Monterrey to more than 200 <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/janaina-tschape-nina-beier-mandy-el-sayegh-chelsea-galleries">galleries</a> with international reach in Mexico City. The capital boasts a bustling art scene with geographic ease for international visitors and proximity to Mexico&rsquo;s best <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/ultimate-beach-bag-must-haves">beaches</a>. Connections made with influential <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/thom-browne-curates-sothebys-visions-of-america-auction-exhibit">art world players</a> &mdash; including Museo Jumex founder Eugenio Lopez Alonso &mdash; helped Garc&iacute;a get the first galleries to participate in the fair. Others followed, with continued growth each year. Over the past two decades, Garc&iacute;a has cultivated a vast range of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/young-artists-interpreting-digital-art-metaverse-technology">artists</a>, collectors, galleries, and art aficionados, who have all become part of the fair&rsquo;s success. &ldquo;Zona Maco provides a platform in the art space where people can see great art and connect in a comfortable ambiance. As Mexican art has become more international, it has gained greater visibility,&rdquo; Garc&iacute;a tells L&rsquo;OFFICIEL. &ldquo;Galleries from all over the world have spaces in Mexico City, and being at the art fair makes them part of our community. Despite welcoming 80,000 visitors in five days, it maintains an intimate setting, making it a truly special experience.&rdquo;

Marking its 20th anniversary this year, Zona Maco is recognized as a preeminent art world event, held annually the first week of February at Mexico City&rsquo;s Centro Citibanamex. With the fair&rsquo;s increased global presence and continued expansion, it branched out into four concurrent events. The fair&rsquo;s primary art program, Zona Maco M&eacute;xico Arte Contempor&aacute;neo, spans a range of emerging and established <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/among-chelsea-galleries-summer-shows-some-add-fire-to-the-heat">galleries</a>, thought-fully curated to keep offerings fresh and interesting. Other sections of the fair include Zona Maco Dise&ntilde;o, with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/shopping/national-jewelry-day-brands-shopping-bracelets-necklaces-rings">jewelry</a>, furniture, textiles, and decorative objects launched in 2011; Zona Maco Sal&oacute;n del Anticuario, with antiques launched in 2014; and Zona Maco Foto, with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/quil-lemons-explores-new-photography-series-quiladelphia">photography</a> launched in 2015. Garc&iacute;a credits the expansion to Zona Maco&rsquo;s organic growth, increased interest from international attendees, a desire to expose local artists to the international market, and evolving enthusiasm for Latin American art.
While Zona Maco has grown in scale, one element remains constant &mdash; the fair&rsquo;s distinctly warm and welcoming environment. Beyond the art itself, a multitude of conversation programs with art world insiders and parallel activities complement the immersive experience. There&rsquo;s also, quite vitally, an emphasis on <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/dia-de-los-muertos-movies-day-of-the-dead-coco-the-book-of-life">Mexican</a> culture. Zona Maco has an inviting, hospitable ambiance, and features a variety of foods and celebratory <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/wellness/non-alcoholic-adaptogen-drinks-kin-euphorics-droplet">drinks</a>, from traditional Mexican fare to global cuisine. Offerings include champagne from a Moet &amp; Chandon Bar and food from Sarde, a seafood-focused restaurant in Mexico City&rsquo;s Roma neighborhood run by chef Jacob Harth and restaurateur Enrique Lascur&aacute;in. These surroundings provide guests and artists with a relaxed atmosphere to connect. Garc&iacute;a believes that creating <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/adaptive-fashion-brands-accessibility-ability-inclusive">accessibility</a> and offering something for every guest is the best approach to encouraging engagement with art.

"Despite welcoming 80,000 visitors in five days, it maintains an intimate setting."

&ldquo;With changes in the art market, and globalization, Zona Maco has brought the public closer to art. It has created a friendly space to get to know art, showing that it is a world for everyone. A creative environment expands your vision and ways of looking at things,&rdquo; Garc&iacute;a says. &ldquo;Art was once seen as unreachable, or only for those with certain means, but it has become increasingly popular over time. This is partly because events like ours make it more accessible. Art truly is for everyone. In Mexico, especially in Mexico City, there are many new galleries, spaces, artists, and collectors. There&rsquo;s so much attention focused here now. It&rsquo;s a very special moment &mdash; let&rsquo;s hope it never ends.&rdquo;
It is a testament to Garc&iacute;a&rsquo;s vision and drive that she developed Zona Maco into the inspired success it is today. She continues cultivating Mexico&rsquo;s arts communities through another initiative, ABC Art Baja California. This two-month cultural festival combines art, music, and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/travel-living/food-boards-inspiration-food-trends">food</a> to promote culture throughout Baja California. Last year, the collaborative event hosted its first edition between San Jos&eacute;, Todos Santos, and La Paz, with another program planned for spring 2024 across these locations, as well as in the new additions of Tijuana and Ensenada.

Given these achievements and Garc&iacute;a&rsquo;s vast dedication to the arts, it is no surprise that she was named among Forbes' List of the 100 most creative Mexicans in the world. She distinguishes herself as a powerful force in the art arena through her consistent values, keen <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/every-kardashian-family-business-kylie-cosmetics-skims-kkw">business</a> acumen, and a penchant for hard work. &ldquo;Since the beginning, I have never felt lesser. Personally, I always need to say what I think, and I never overpromise,&rdquo; Garc&iacute;a says. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s the power of being a woman. It&rsquo;s not necessarily something you think about &mdash; it&rsquo;s more about who you are and what you do.&rdquo;
Garc&iacute;a&rsquo;s creative accolades translate into her personal style, which accentuates her upbeat personality with bold colors, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/animal-print-trend-style-inspiration">prints</a>, and unexpected combinations (architectural shapes with pop tones, running the gamut from edgy to feminine), all with a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/boho-girl-style-fashion-trend-come-back-70s-y2k">boho</a> vibe synonymous with Baja. She sees fashion as an opportunity for creative expression. And her true affinity for both modes is grounded in a sense of discovery and connectedness.

&ldquo;I have always loved fashion, and design is also one of my passions, so I find that the relationship between art and aesthetics happens very organically. For the fair, there are sponsors who are fashion brands or are very involved in the fashion space, and many of these brands also have art collections in their offices, creating a synergy,&rdquo; notes Garc&iacute;a. &ldquo;In my life, I can shop on the street or in a luxury store &mdash; I just love to explore. It&rsquo;s really about personal taste, and when you look around, you realize that beautiful objects are everywhere.&rdquo;

Portrait of Zélika García, courtesy of Zona Maco. All photos courtesy of Zona Maco.

Zélika García Puts Mexican Creatives on the Map With Zona Maco Art Fair

Zélika García Puts Mexican Creatives on the Map With Zona Maco Art Fair

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