Quintana Roo Names Winners of 2026 State Craft and Embroidery Prizes

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The Institute of Culture and Arts of Quintana Roo (ICA) has announced the winners of the state’s 2026 embroidery and craft competitions, with top honors going to artisans from Felipe Carrillo Puerto and Puerto Morelos.

The awards were organized jointly with the federal Culture Ministry and the National Fund for the Promotion of Crafts (FONART), and recognized mastery in two main categories.

The Top Two Honors

• State Embroidery and Openwork Prize “Chuuy K’Káab 2026”: awarded to Addy Flor Matos Chuc, from the community of Filomeno Mata in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, for her piece “Paach Ooch Kaan.”
• Highest Recognition in Crafts “Deja que te lo cuenten mis manos 2026”: granted to Camila Morales Martínez, from Puerto Morelos, for her work titled “Las Voces de Nuestros Ancestros” (The Voices of Our Ancestors).

Winners Across Traditional Techniques

The open calls drew entries in a range of traditional disciplines from across the state.

In textile embroidery, judges highlighted pieces using counted-thread techniques, canvas work, natural dye application and ceremonial garments from Mayan communities including Xpichil, Sacalaca and Chan Chen, as well as entries from creators in José María Morelos, Othón P. Blanco and Tulum.

In general crafts, prizes went to specialists in wood carving, lapidary work, pottery, jewelry, and pieces made with shells, marine materials and plant fibers. Participants came from Bacalar, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Othón P. Blanco and Puerto Morelos. Organizers also included a special category, the Hall of Masters of Popular Art.

Preserving Heritage, Building Markets

According to the organizing institutions, the two competitions are intended to safeguard the identity of Indigenous communities and encourage a new generation to take up folk arts. Officials said public exhibitions of the winning works will also open channels for fair-trade sales in local and national markets.