Mexico City is preparing to host the eagerly anticipated Zona Maco 2026, a significant event in the Latin American art calendar. This year's fair, scheduled from February 4th to 8th, will feature an impressive lineup of 241 exhibitors spread across nine distinct sections, covering everything from contemporary and modern art to design, books, and antiquities. Despite the simultaneous launch of Art Basel Qatar, Zona Maco's organizers remain optimistic, with 50 museum board groups already confirming their participation, signaling robust interest in the fair's offerings and the resilient art market in the region.
Zona Maco 2026: A Deep Dive into Mexico City's Premier Art Event
The upcoming Zona Maco fair, a beacon in the Latin American art scene, is poised to transform Mexico City's Centro Banamex into a vibrant hub for art enthusiasts and collectors. From February 4th to 8th, 2026, the fair will welcome 241 exhibitors, showcasing a rich tapestry of artistic expressions across various categories. A significant highlight is the introduction of the 'Forma' section, a novel initiative designed to bridge the gap between contemporary art and design. This section, which will host six invited galleries including Carpenters Workshop Gallery and Rademakers Gallery, aims to cater to works that blend artistic disciplines, reflecting a growing trend in the global art market.
Zélika García, the visionary founder of Zona Maco, expressed her enthusiasm for the continuous evolution of the fair. She noted the persistent innovation that keeps the event fresh and engaging year after year. The 'Emerging Design' section, a crucial platform for nascent talent, will relocate to a new area within Centro Banamex, adopting a cohesive exhibition format instead of individual stands. This strategic change, spearheaded by artistic director Cecilia León de la Barra and Mexican designers Joel Escalona and Jorge Diego Etienne, underscores the fair's commitment to nurturing and showcasing emerging designers, particularly those rooted in Mexico. Furthermore, the 'Ejes' section, dedicated to emerging contemporary artists, will benefit from the curatorial expertise of Aimé Iglesias Lukin, director and chief curator of the Americas Society in New York, who will guide 35 exhibitors. The 'Sur' section, focusing on artists from the Southern Hemisphere, will see its third and final curation by Manuela Moscoso, executive and artistic director of CARA in New York, featuring 17 prominent galleries. García emphasized the importance of rotating curators to maintain dynamism and ensure a diverse mix of established and emerging artists, a hallmark of Zona Maco.
Addressing the broader art market landscape, García observed that Zona Maco has largely remained unaffected by the recent market corrections. The 2025 edition was a resounding success, and projections for 2026 are equally promising, with a significant number of museum board groups confirming their attendance. This robust support, particularly from Mexican collectors who consistently champion both local and international galleries, highlights the fair's pivotal role in fostering a vibrant art ecosystem. The enthusiastic participation of international museum groups, keen on acquiring works from Mexican galleries, further solidifies Zona Maco's position as a vital platform for cross-cultural artistic exchange. The fair's strategic timing in February also appears to be advantageous, aligning with an upturn in market sentiment observed at other major art events.
This year's Zona Maco promises to be a vibrant confluence of art, design, and culture, offering a unique opportunity for discovery and engagement within the dynamic backdrop of Mexico City. With its diverse sections, innovative curatorial approaches, and strong market presence, the fair is set to reinforce its status as a cornerstone of the global art calendar.
The continued success and innovative spirit of Zona Maco offer a compelling insight into the resilience and evolving nature of the global art market. In an era where cultural exchange is more vital than ever, events like Zona Maco serve as crucial bridges, connecting artists, collectors, and institutions across continents. The fair's emphasis on nurturing emerging talent and providing a platform for diverse artistic expressions underscores a broader commitment to fostering creativity and accessibility within the art world. It reminds us that art fairs are not merely commercial ventures but dynamic cultural institutions that reflect, shape, and inspire our collective artistic landscape.