The Museo del Pueblo de Guanajuato, or Museum of the People of Guanajuato, is located in the heart of the city in a 17 th century historic colonial mansion formerly of the Marquis of Rayas. This is one of the most important secular buildings in Guanajuato. It was inaugurated as a museum and cultural center on September 21, 1979 , with a collection of art from the 18 th and 19 th centuries donated by the painters Olga Costa and José Chavez Morado.

Since its founding, the museum has sought a definite orientation towards Mexican art, art made in and about Mexico; the museum aims to encourage, promote and exhibit primarily Mexican art in its various manifestations, through collections of pieces representative of its evolution.

Ground floor

1. Salas Teresa Pomar. There are three exhibition rooms. These include the permanent collection called Art in Miniature, a donation of Guanajuato native Teresa Pomar, who over the course of her life has collected these works. Visitors can admire more than one thousand popular Mexican works of art in miniature created using the most varied techniques and materials; from dressed-up fleas to incredibly detailed bone carvings.

Second floor

1. Sala Raíces de Arte Mexicano. The collection features pre-Hispanic pieces from various cultures: ceramics, religious objects, toys and textiles. An especially noteworthy piece is the magnificent cantera stone cross of Tequitqui.

2. Salas de Arte Civil y Religiosos. There is an important collection of paintings from the 18 th and 19 th centuries, including portraits by Herrera, Cabrera, Bernal del Castillo, still lifes by Gálvez and Arrieta and anonymous artists. On exhibit there are also lacquered crosses and an important collection of religious art in silver, wax and silk.

3. Sala Hermenegildo Bustos. On exhibit is a collection of pieces by Hermenegildo Bustos, a fine Guanajuatan painter who masterfully depicted 19 th century social classes.

4. Capilla Barroca. The Baroque Chapel. A space dedicated to cultural activities, decorated with the murals Estípide fracturado (Fractured Estipite), Las luchas de la liberación (The Struggles for Liberation) and La Conquista (The Conquest), frescos by José Chávez Morado, done between 1982 and 1984, which represent three periods of social struggle in Mexico.

5. Auditorio Olga Costa. Cultural space dedicated to Olga Costa where diverse cultural activities and temporary exhibitions are held.

Third floor

1. Salas David Alfaro Siqueiros. Five rooms dedicated to temporary exhibitions of every genre by recognized artists from Guanajuato, the rest of Mexico , and abroad.