The history of Mexico’s folk art spans more than 2,000 years and has been influenced by numerous cultures. Ancient Mexican art was primarily intended for religious ritual purposes, according to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. “The Olmec, Zapotec, Toltec, Maya, Mixtec, and other indigenous people of ancient Mesoamerica created an array of effigies, vessels, and sculpture that portrayed their world,” states the Smithsonian. Aztecs in Mexico were also advancing their art forms long before the Spanish came to conquer Central America in the 1500s, bringing along with them European techniques.
Traditional Mexican folk art is a beautiful, varied, and rich collection of various crafts. Folk art is not a genre which is limited to a specific time period. Mexican folk artists still create products today. Most folk art is produced by tribal villagers across the country. There are different types of Mexican folk art as well. Artisans produce theirwork using available materials.

Mexico has a rich history of art. There is still a very strong tradition of folk arts and crafts, such as handiwork, pottery, mural making and textile printing, and Mexican artisanship is still in demand around the world.  
 
Many of Mexico’s modern craft techniques, designs and materials can be traced back to pre-Hispanic origins. Largelyshaped by historical events, with Spanish and Indian influences, Mexico’s arts and crafts reflect a colorful, traditional, fun-loving society with a strong link to the past. It is not surprising, then, that the areas in Mexico that produce the most exciting folk art today are those with flourishing indigenous populations.

For as long as there have been human civilizations within the Mesoamerican region, there have also been traditions of folk art. To this date, both local artisans and revered professionals use clay, wood, stone, and other materials toexpress this rich cultural heritage. And the practical nature of the crafts allows any sculptor to draw upon these traditions.

Mexican folk art is a term used to cover a wide field of creative production in Mexico. Items considered to be Mexican folk art are Mexican; pottery, figurines, clothing and textiles, masks, baskets, gourds, toys and wood carvings. These items are traditional artifacts of Mexican culture.

They are items that, throughout Mexican history, have been used in the day to day lives of Mexico’s people. Mexican Folk Art is an industry in itself with large numbers of the population earning a living making and selling forms of folk art.