The building was originally constructed as a summer residence for the wealthy El Refugio family.
The courtyard features a traditional fountain that demonstrates the role of water in cooling colonial Mexican homes.
It holds specific examples of 'canelo' pottery, characterized by its cinnamon-like color and scent.
The museum documents the transition of Tlaquepaque from a village of indigenous potters to a hub of artistic craft production.
Several exhibits feature pieces created with techniques that were nearly extinct before being revived by local masters in the 1970s.
The architectural structure utilizes original adobe and volcanic stone common to the Guadalajara valley.
It houses a permanent collection of award-winning works from the National Ceramics Prize.
The museum serves as a research center for traditional firing methods, including open-pit techniques.
Some halls retain original floor tiles imported from Europe in the late 1800s.
The collection includes ethnographic documentation regarding the sociocultural impact of the pottery industry on Tlaquepaque families.
The Museo Regional de la Cerámica is housed in a 19th-century colonial mansion known as the Casa Histórica de El Refugio. It serves as the premier institution dedicated to the preservation and display of traditional Jalisco pottery techniques. The permanent collection showcases distinct regional styles including petatillo, bruñido, and bandera ceramics. Visitors can observe the evolution of clay-working traditions spanning from pre-Hispanic influences to contemporary artisanal production. The museum features nine exhibition halls that reflect the domestic layout of a traditional aristocratic Mexican residence. It functions under the authority of the Jalisco Secretariat of Culture. The building itself is recognized for its preserved neoclassical architectural features and interior courtyards. It hosts rotating temporary exhibitions that highlight modern craftspeople working in Tlaquepaque. The collection includes significant pieces from renowned master potters of the 20th century.
The central interior courtyard featuring the tiled fountain and arched colonial corridors.
Visit the back garden area to see a small, functional workshop space that is sometimes used by visiting artists.
Speak with the docents on site; they are often local historians who can explain the differences between regional firing techniques.
Check the bulletin board in the foyer for information on temporary workshops or artisanal demonstrations happening in town.
Do not mistake the nearby commercial galleries for the museum; look for the official government seal at the entrance to ensure you are in the historic house.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet volume; do not touch the pottery unless explicitly allowed by signs; photography without flash is permitted.
