FONART Patriotismo

The Fondo Nacional para el Fomento de las Artesanías (National Fund for the Foment of Handicrafts) or FONART, is an institute set up by the Mexican government in 1974 to promote the country’s culture of craftwork. Intended as a fund for artisans to manufacture pieces and have them bought directly without third parties, FONART is probably best known nowadays for the craftwork contests it organizes and its shops in touristic areas of Mexico City and Zacatecas. 

Out of the capital’s stores, the one located in a residential area near Patriotismo Avenue is probably the one with the least tourist-friendly postcode. To compensate, this happens to be the largest by far. Fonart Patriotismo is the only one to feature an outlet-like warehouse in the back selling discounted and slightly damaged pieces as well as a gallery space, which occasionally displays the prize-winning works of craft contests organized by the fund. 

Owing to its floorspace, the Patriotismo branch also has better organization overall. The crafts for sale are divided into sections for textiles, jewelry, books, carvings, and even furniture. While the building itself features an industrial simplicity, the crafts on display are colorful and vibrant.