Mexican folk art celebrates the heritage and spiritual beliefs of a proud people. Many artisans are Mestizos, persons of Mexican-Indian ancestry. They draw upon Spanish and Indian influences to create masterpieces that reflect their culture—from the colorful masks of the Nahua Indians to the crafted-metal thank offerings, or milagros, of the Catholic artists.
Mexican folk arts and crafts culture stems from the lore of the Indians who lived on the land before the Spanish colonialists came and took it over, adding their own influence. In other words, there is an array of folk art styles spanning Mexico, differing from region to region and sometimes within the regions themselves. Villagers will hand down traditions from many generations before them, effecting the arts and crafts from each region, making Mexico one of the most artistically eclectic nations in the world.