Best Art Galleries in Guatemala City

Art might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Guatemala, better known for its volcanoes, lakes and indigenous Mayan population.

However, there is a burgeoning art scene in the capital, Guatemala City. First up is the 9.99 Gallery in Zone 1, run by Dario Escobar, one of the most well-known contemporary artists from Guatemala. With a constantly changing lineup of Guatemalan artists, the space has become known as a haven for emerging talent.

On the edge of Zone 1, housed in an old sawmill, is the home of Proyectos Ultravioleta. The gallery has gone from strength to strength in recent years, and has even been featured at the prestigious Frieze art fair. The curators invite foreign and Guatemalan artists to exhibit their work.

Over in Zone 10, Galeria El Tunel is a fairly new arrival on the scene. Again, the focus is on local artists from the contemporary scene. Another option is La Erre, in Zone 4, which hosts exhibitions and other cultural events.

Proyecto Poporopo in Zone 2 is famous for exhibitions and live music, as well as food and drink, while perhaps the strangest gallery is the NuMu. This little egg-shaped building only measures 2 by 2.5 meters, but it regularly hosts interesting exhibitions. There will even soon be a replica NuMu in Los Angeles thanks to a joint initiative with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.