Guatemala to Showcase Artisanal Design at Madrid Design Festival 2026
Guatemala will present 16 studios at the Madrid Design Festival 2026 through the program Guatemala diseña con las manos, showcasing contemporary artisanal design rooted in tradition.
Guatemala will strengthen its international creative presence at the Madrid Design Festival with the selection of 16 national studios and workshops to participate in Guatemala diseña con las manos 2026, a program led by the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (Inguat) that promotes contemporary artisanal design rooted in centuries-old traditions.
Guatemala Designs with the Hands: A Platform for Global Projection
Guatemala diseña con las manos is an initiative that seeks to project Guatemalan creative talent internationally while positioning the country as a reference for contemporary artisanal design. According to Inguat, the program highlights craftsmanship as both a cultural heritage and a modern design expression, reinforcing Guatemala’s identity as an innovative and culturally rich nation.
The 2026 edition will begin its European tour during the Madrid Design Festival in February, allowing Guatemalan creators to present their work to an international audience and connect with new markets and cultural institutions.
A Competitive Selection Process
The open call was held from November 1 to 30, 2025, and attracted more than 60 proposals from across Guatemala. The selection was conducted by an international jury composed of:
- Luján Cambariere, journalist and curator specializing in artisanal design
- Álvaro Matías, director of the Madrid Design Festival
- Emiliano Valdés, Guatemalan curator
The evaluation criteria included technical quality, innovation, respect for traditions, cultural representation, and exhibition feasibility, ensuring a balance between craftsmanship excellence and contemporary relevance.
The Selected Studios and Workshops
The following 16 studios and collectives will represent Guatemala in the exhibition:
- Aj B’atz’ Huipil
- Asociación Brillantes Tejedoras Tactiqueñas B’atz
- Chivas & Chivas
- Colectivo Lechuza
- Estudio Cálido
- Guate a Mano / Fundación BI
- Lábrica
- Mayú
- Multicolores
- Nada Duele
- Selva Savia
- Studio Itzá
- Titana Belts
- Wakami
- Xibalbá
- Xicón
Their creations will be part of the exhibition Guatemala Designs with the Hands, which will travel across Europe following its debut in Madrid.
A Collaborative Installation Connecting Guatemala and Europe
In addition to the selected projects, the exhibition will feature a capsule installation developed by Amarillo Estudio, a Spanish architecture firm, in collaboration with Nebula, Pura Utz, and the National Weavers Movement of Guatemala.
This joint effort aims to strengthen creative ties between Guatemala and Europe while highlighting the dialogue between design, architecture, and traditional craftsmanship.
Creativity, Sustainability, and Cultural Pride
Inguat emphasized that the selected participants reflect the diversity and vitality of contemporary Guatemalan design, where creativity, sustainability, and ancestral knowledge converge. This international participation is seen as an opportunity to showcase a Guatemala that is innovative, authentic, and culturally rich, with art and craftsmanship serving as drivers of development, tourism, and national pride.
Through Guatemala diseña con las manos 2026, the country positions itself on leading creative platforms in Europe, opening new pathways for cultural and creative tourism and reinforcing the global visibility of Guatemalan design.
