San Pancho is known as the Cultural Capital of the Riviera Nayarit thanks to the concentration of artistic and educational activities in this village.
The creation of civil associations that operate the old warehouses marked the start of what has basically turned this community into a magnet for a broad range of important artists.
The most prominent name among the several artists that have come to San Pancho is undoubtedly that of Gilles Ste-Croix, a world-renowned performer with a 35-year career under his belt. Upon his retirement he decided to create the Circo de los Niños (Children’s Circus) in San Pancho in a bid to give back to the community.
“I came to San Pancho for the first time 15 years ago on vacation and I discovered a very special place, very green and shady, with a lovely atmosphere and lovely people; that’s why I decided to buy a home here 8 years ago,” commented Ste-Croix.
“A little over four years ago I observed how Entre Amigos worked with children and I decided to help teach them what became the first incarnation of the Circo de los Niños. It’s a unique opportunity for them, because there is no other place like this,” added the Canadian artiste.
Another very special visitor is U.S. jazzman Jeff Oster, who has participated at no charge in the San Pancho Music Festival for the past seven years.
“This is one of the most beautiful places in the world and those who live here should be very proud. All the art created in San Pancho has saturated the area with such feeling and creativity; it’s like a society of people all interested in the arts… It’s my favorite spot,” enthused the musician.
Other celebrities including British painter Daniel Stone also have a connection with the area that inspires them to return time and again to exhibit their creations and continue to nourish the Cultural Capital of the Riviera Nayarit.
San Pancho is not the only microdestination of the Riviera Nayarit with a cultural and artistic offering for visitors, but it is, without a doubt, one that has set the standards for others to follow.
