Discover Delmarva Arts: Mexican Folk Art
SALISBURY, Md. — The Museum of Eastern Shore Culture, in the heart of Salisbury, has been highlighting the heritage of communities on Delmarva since its opening in November 2024. Now, they’re kicking off 2026 with some of their most colorful, vibrant displays yet — in their newest exhibit, Artesania: Magic and the Folk Arts of Mexico.
“We have yet to do an exhibit revolving around Mexican culture, and that’s something that’s really important to us; to highlight all the communities here on the Eastern Shore, so it was something we’d been wanting to touch on for a while,” Museum Operations Coordinator Alex Andrakean said.
The exhibit features artifacts from the personal collection of Thomas Leff, a long-time collector with a passion for Mexican Folk Art.
“There’s a lot of flat art in the form of yarn paintings. We have some Otomi Barkwood paintings as well, then we have the more 3D art with the masks, and each mask means something different… It just makes for a really dynamic exhibit— we have the alebrijes, which are small and colorful; then we have these big suits — so it’s a really thorough breadth of Mexican folk art for a collector,” Curator and Folk Life Specialist Raye-Valion Gillette said.
Towering over the gallery, the life-sized sculptures are the work of Mexican American sculptor George Rodriguez. “We have contemporary ceramic sculpture George Rodriguez who creates life-size sculptures that tower over me, and there’s just something about them. They speak to his own cultural heritage as a Mexican American, and there’s truly something to behold in their size, their texture, and the story that they have to tell,” Andrakean said.
More than just an exhibit, this collection reflects the museum’s mission; celebrating the culture that shapes communities across the Eastern Shore, and inviting visitors to experience the stories, traditions, and artistry that connect us all.
“That’s our passion here, is to speak to the cultural heritage of everyone within the Lower Eastern Shore but also speak to cultural heritage throughout,” Gillette said.
The Museum of Eastern Shore Culture will host an artist talk with George Rodriguez on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. To plan your trip, visit www.MuseumofEasternShoreCultureatSU.com
