The Collector’s Guide to Mexico’s Rising Creative Capital
There’s something magnetic about Guadalajara right now. Beneath the rhythm of mezcal bars and the quiet poetry of murals, an entire generation of artists is creating extraordinary work — much of it unseen beyond the city limits.
Galería GDL exists to change that.
Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco’s creative heart, the gallery connects Mexico’s most talented and often overlooked artists with collectors, designers, and galleries worldwide. It celebrates authentic artistic voices — those rooted in local culture but refined for global sensibilities — by curating pieces that feel as at home in an architectural villa as they do in a modern apartment in Los Angeles or Madrid.
Because beauty deserves witnesses.
The Vision Behind Galería GDL
Galería GDL is not just a gallery. It’s a bridge.
Co-founded by Forrest Glover and Maya Johnson, the project began with a simple observation: there is no shortage of remarkable artists in Guadalajara — only a shortage of visibility. Studios are tucked behind leafy courtyards and concrete walls, filled with work that deserves to be seen, collected, and loved.
Galería GDL was created to give those works the platform they deserve — to connect the artist’s need for visibility with the collector’s desire for discovery.
It’s a meeting place for beauty and belief.
Our Mission
Galería GDL connects Mexico’s most talented and often overlooked artists with collectors, designers, and galleries worldwide.
Founded in Guadalajara — the creative heart of Jalisco — the gallery celebrates authentic artistic voices, curating a collection that is both deeply rooted in Mexican culture and refined enough for global sensibilities.
Our Story
There’s an undeniable creative pulse in Guadalajara — a fusion of tradition, experimentation, and spirit. Galería GDL curates with an editor’s eye and a local’s heart, balancing raw talent with thoughtful presentation.
The goal isn’t to elevate the art — it’s already elevated. The goal is to illuminate it — to create space for connection, storytelling, and access between artist and collector.
Galería GDL is a love letter to the artists of Jalisco — and an open invitation for the world to see them.
The Experience
Stepping into Galería GDL — whether online or in person — feels like stepping into a dialogue between culture and craft. It’s quietly confident, modern, and deeply sincere.
Each piece is presented not just as art, but as an encounter:
Between color and emotion.
Between material and meaning.
Between Mexico’s artistic roots and its ever-evolving identity.
Our aesthetic lives somewhere between Khruangbin and Natalia Lafourcade: soulful, unpretentious, and timelessly modern.
What’s Next
Galería GDL’s launch begins with a small circle of Guadalajara-based artists whose work represents the spirit of the city — thoughtful, textural, and fiercely individual.
The gallery will debut online as a curated digital space, offering collectors and design lovers access to limited works, studio features, and artist stories.
The first artist onboarding phase begins this fall, focusing on building a transparent, sustainable system for artists to showcase their work — one that supports them with visibility, storytelling, and fair compensation.
Why It Matters
For too long, Mexico’s creative capitals have been defined by outsiders. Galería GDL changes that by building an inside view — from within the local art scene — led by people who live, collect, and create here.
It’s not about trends. It’s about truth.
By connecting Guadalajara’s artists with an international audience, we’re not just selling art — we’re building cultural bridges, sustaining creative communities, and reframing how Mexican design and art are experienced.
Because beauty deserves witnesses.
Interested in Supporting the Gallery?
If you’re a collector, designer, or artist interested in learning more about Galería GDL, we’d love to connect.
Visit forrestgloverdesign.com or reach out directly at forrestgloverdesign@gmail.com to inquire about artist collaborations and collector previews.
🪶 Internal Linking Suggestions
Link to: “Furniture Tours in Guadalajara” blog (connects art + design travel)
Link to: “The Art of Buying Handmade in Mexico” blog
Add future link to: Galería GDL launch collection page on your Shopify
🪶 FAQ Section
What is Galería GDL?
Galería GDL is a curated art platform based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, showcasing Mexico’s most talented and often overlooked artists to collectors and designers worldwide.
Who founded Galería GDL?
It was co-founded by designers Forrest Glover and Maya Johnson as an initiative to give visibility and opportunity to Guadalajara’s thriving art scene.
What kind of art will be featured?
A curated selection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and mixed media works that reflect Guadalajara’s unique blend of tradition and contemporary expression.
When will Galería GDL launch?
The gallery begins its first artist onboarding phase in late 2025, followed by a soft launch for collectors and design professionals.
How can I get involved?
Collectors and artists can reach out through forrestgloverdesign.com to learn more about partnerships, submissions, and upcoming events.