Bellas Artes San Miguel de Allende
Bellas Artes is located at Hernandez Macias 75 near Calle de Canal. It was once a beautiful monastery called the Royal Convent of the Conception. In 1938 it was converted to Escuela de Bellas Artes ( School of Fine Arts) by the Mexican Government who still owns and operates it today. It is associated with the Palacio Bellas Artes of Mexico City.
The official name is Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramirez. It was named after Ignacio Ramirez who was a leading progressive thinker in the 19th century. He lived in San Miguel de Allende. Bellas Artes is a must see and is the cultural center of San Miguel de Allende. There is a large cloister and in one room, is an unfinished mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros. He started this mural, as part of a course, in mural painting, taught to US World War 2 veterans. It was to be a mural depicting the life and labor of Igancio Allende.
The huge patio is lovely with its fountain and lush gardens. There is a restaurant inside. It is very pleasant to sit outside here and enjoy a leisurely lunch or coffee. There is a bulletin board that lists concerts and other cultural events in the city.
