Visiting Artists from Mexico provides Margaritas with a truly unique opportunity to offer its patrons and the community an extraordinary experience. This event allows the community to see first hand what Margaritas believes; that coming to Margaritas is about as close as you can get to Mexico without getting on a plane. Patrons can dine and observe a woodcarver's skill or a ceramist's finesse; children sit transfixed by the activities and parents linger while a monitor displays images and events of modern day Mexico. Perhaps some of the children had seen the artist at their school earlier in the week and convinced their parents and friends to come to Margaritas to meet their new amigo.

With past artists, we have coordinated additional activities such as gallery receptions at nearby universities and colleges and adult/child workshops offered through local community organizations, especially Hispanic organizations.

When we host artists, we distribute information concerning their background and availability to all area schools and arts organizations.  We also distribute press releases to all local media outlets.  This offers us the opportunity to share the artists with the community as much as possible prior to their appearance in each restaurant .  Pat Picciano, program coordinator and interpreter, accompanies the artists as they visit the schools and arts organizations providing students with a unique and wonderful insight into Mexican culture and folk art.  Together they delight the students and teachers who are then encouraged to visit the artists again as they appear at their local Margaritas restaurant.  It is a truly unique experience which delights and amazes everyone involved. 

On the evening of the artists' appearance at Margaritas, an area is cleared to allow the artist plenty of workspace, space to display art for sale by the artist, and plenty of room for everyone to get a good long look at everything.  Diners are invited to explore the artists' work, ask questions and even purchase one-of-a-kind folk art while they wait for their meals.  Non-dining guests, stopping in just to see the artist, are also quite welcome.  

A visiting artist will set up a basic "workshop" and proceed, over a period of 5 hours, to create from scratch (raw wood or raw clay) a complete, highly detailed work of art.  At an adjacent table, a wide array of their crafts are laid out for viewing.  Most items on display are for sale on a first come first served basis to customers and staff.   A video presentation shows modern day examples of traditional Mexican festivals and fiestas.  They help to provide a more complete understanding of the role of the folk artist in a wonderfully colorful culture.  Pat Picciano coordinates the entire event, translating for the artist and  answering any questions that customers or staff may have.

The entire event typically runs from 4 to 9pm with an hour break for dinner. Each restaurant is presented with a sample piece of folk art that the artist makes during their visit.  We put the art on permanent display somewhere in that restaurant where it can be enjoyed by all.

It is a great honor and pleasure for Margaritas to host these talented people, and we encourage our guests and staff to make them feel welcomed and appreciated.  You are encouraged to practice your Spanish with them, if you know any.   A simple "Buenos Dias" or "Bienvenidos a Margaritas" will make them feel that their journey to our place in the world was a warm, welcoming one.  We hope to see you the next time a visiting artist comes to your area.