Ayacucho Art Galleries

(Ayacucho, Peru)

Whilst there may be little in the way of art galleries in Ayacucho, one museum really does stand out and is well worth exploring at your leisure. Located alongside the Plaza de Armas and within the very heart of Ayacucho, the Museo de Arte Popular Joaquin López Antay is to be found next to the Banco de Credito.

The Museo de Arte Popular Joaquin López Antay features an impressive collection of masterpieces, and many of the paintings exhibited here have been created by acclaimed Peruvian artist, Joaquin López Antay (1897 to 1981). Antay was actually born in Ayacucho and awarded the National Prize of Culture in 1974, shortly before his death.


Many local artisans have chosen to base themselves within the Barrio Santa Ana area of Ayacucho, directly to the south-west of the city's Plaza de Armas. Around the Plaza de Santa Ana, the main galleries include both the Galeria Arte Popular de Fortunato Fernández and the Galeria Latina, while close by, the Galeria Wari resides on the Mariscal Cáceres.

Museo de Arte Popular Joaquin López Antay

Address: Portal Unión 28, Ayacucho, Peru, PE
Also on exhibit at this recommended gallery are a series of local folk art pieces originating from the various surrounding villages, along with a range of silver works, pottery pieces, textiles and art works of a religious nature, dating from colonial times onwards. The progression of photographs is particularly interesting to many visitors, as are the handicrafts by artists such as Heraclio Núnez and also Jesús Urbano Rojas, amongst many others.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 09:00 to 18:30, Friday - 09:00 to 19:30, Saturday - 09:00 to 13:00
Admission: free