Alfombra de Aserrin

A traditional Guatemalan sawdust carpet installation transforms the Coral Gables Museum with intricate, ephemeral designs rooted in faith and community.

Alfombra de Aserrín is on view from March 27 through April 16, presenting a cultural practice originating in La Antigua Guatemala and recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Created using dyed sawdust, flowers and natural materials, these large-scale works are known for their detailed patterns and symbolic imagery tied to Holy Week traditions.

Beyond their visual complexity, the carpets reflect a collective process, with artists, families and neighbors working together to create pieces intended to exist only briefly. The exhibition brings this living tradition into a museum setting, highlighting its craftsmanship, cultural meaning and connection to shared identity.

Presented through a collaboration between institutions in Guatemala and Coral Gables, the installation offers insight into one of Latin America’s most enduring and community-centered art forms.