The watercolor museum continued to operate in the building in Colonia Roma until the 1985 Mexico City earthquake destroyed it . However , the loss of the building prompted the government to purchase the museum 's current site at Salvador Novo 88 in the Coyoacán borough , an expensive section of the city . After this , the government said it would do no more . From 1985 until his death , he and his wife renovated the large house , with the gardens around the main house designed by the two , which includes a “ poetic space ” dedicated to the indigenous poet-king Nezahualcoyotl . In addition to its exhibition of its permanent collection and temporary shows , the museum arranges shows of Mexican watercolors all over the world . This has helped Mexican artists and given the institution renown . The museum is the first of its kind in the world , and is partly responsible for the re acceptance of watercolor as a serious art form . Guati Rojo founded the Bienal de la Acuarela ( Watercolor Biennal ) at the museum in 1992
1985 Mexico City earthquake
1985 Mexico City earthquake
Alfredo Guati Rojo