MOIFA News:
The Museum of International Folk Art (MOIFA) presents Alebrijes: A Linares Family Tradition, a vibrant traveling exhibition celebrating the extraordinary artistry of the Linares family, renowned creators of alebrijes and central figures in Mexico’s cartonería tradition.
A bilingual adaptation of MOIFA’s popular exhibition La Cartonería Mexicana / The Mexican Art of Paper and Paste, the exhibition explores the fantastical world of alebrijes—vividly colored, mythical creatures that have become icons of Mexican folk art. For generations, the Linares Family of Mexico City has shaped this tradition, transforming humble materials—paper and paste—into works of remarkable imagination, storytelling, and technical skill.
The exhibition will premiere at the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque on Cinco de Mayo, May 5, 2026, before traveling to communities across New Mexico and the Southwest through early 2028. Organized by MOIFA in partnership with the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque, the tour is offered at no cost to participating venues, expanding access to Mexican folk art and cultural traditions for audiences of all ages.
“Alebrijes: A Linares Family Tradition celebrates the creativity, resilience, and intergenerational knowledge of one of Mexico’s most influential artistic families,” Curator, Nora Dolan said. “By bringing this exhibition directly into communities, we hope to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the living traditions of cartonería.”
“One of our priorities is to share our wonderful projects here at MOIFA with the rest of the state”, adds MOIFA Executive Charlie Lockwood. “We felt this traveling exhibit would be the ideal vehicle to broaden accessibility and allow us to serve communities across New Mexico and our region”.
The exhibition features newly commissioned works created by three generations of Linares Family artists, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience contemporary expressions of this celebrated art form alongside insights into the creative process. Through sculpture, film, and interactive learning materials, the exhibition highlights the cultural significance of alebrijes and the enduring legacy of the Linares Family.
Exhibition Tour Schedule
- Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque, May – August 2026
- Mexican Consulate in El Paso, September-October 2026
- Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site, November 2026 – April 2027
- Farmington Museum, May – September 2027
- Artesia Museum of Art, October 2027 – February 2028
Generous funding for this traveling exhibition is provided by the International Folk Art Foundation, Friends of Folk Art, Los Amigos del Arte Popular, Patricia Arscott La Farge Foundation for Folk Art, the Boeckman Family Foundation, and donors to the Museum of International Folk Art’s Statewide Educational Outreach Fund through the Museum of New Mexico Foundation. Additional support provided by the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
About the Museum of International Folk Art
The Museum of International Folk Art is a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, under the leadership of the Board of Regents for the Museum of New Mexico System. Programs and exhibits are generously supported by the International Folk Art Foundation and Museum of New Mexico Foundation. The mission of The Museum of International Folk Art is to shape a humane world by connecting people through creative expression and artistic traditions. The museum holds the largest collection of international folk art in the world, numbering more than 163,000 objects from more than 160 countries. Learn more at moifa.org