Beginning with Gabriel Aceves on Wednesday, Jan 21, and followed by the sculpture of the Nauhtl culture by Architect Arturo Macias. In February, Bella Rish will return with her newest paintings of flowers, and then followed at the end of the month by Alfonso Sosa.

Gabriel Aceves was born in 1956 in Guadaljara, Jalisco. From 10 years of age, he started painting under the Maestro Miguel Angel Lopéz Medina and had his first exhibition in Los Angeles when he was 12.

His activity in the cultural community has enriched his artistic abilities. His picturesque work has been on exhibition in L.A., San Francisco and Miami.

His painting, impregnated by subtle and suggestive eroticism, encompasses human passions like love, hope and humility… and at times in frescos and vivid enchanting colors.

According to Aceves his objective is to consolidate a figurative surrealistic style, and to achieve a perfection he dedicates large amounts of time to studying and analyzing the works of other painters who he admires.

At this time his work is an investigative process and experimentation of natural materials.

And he has developed his own techniques utilizing arcilla, clay, amate fiber, and beeswax. These materials are pigmented using an artisan process pigmented using a process that bakes them in a vacuum at more than 200 C in order to achieve consistency and longevity.

Gabriel Aceves is a full time painter who is constantly creating, and is currently preparing works for an exhibition in Monterrey and other galleries in Spain, France, and Germany.

According to some art critics, the intrinsic worth of his works has immediate growth potential in the art world.

Gabriel Aceves has prepared an unedited series of works for this exhibition at Galeria Corona, Corona 164, Puerto Vallarta.
Website

It is in this place, with its cobbled stone streets, where the Art Walk takes place. In 2008-2009, the Art Walk season starts on October 29, 2008 and ends on May 27, 2009 with 16 galleries that offer an exhibition/cocktail from 6 to 10 pm. every Wednesday.

The purpose of the walk is to provide a pleasant atmosphere for art collectors and guests to appreciate the quality of the art exhibited. As all of the associated galleries are located in Old Town, walking from one gallery to another is an easy and enjoyable experience.

You may start the Art Walk at any gallery and spend as much time as you wish. The Art Walk is a good way to meet the exhibition artists, make new friends or re-encounter old ones.

Puerto Vallarta has become an important center of creation, exhibition and promotion of art, with more fine galleries than any other beach destination in Mexico representing an increasing number of national and international artists. Striking paintings, beautiful sculptures, very fine ceramics, art in all forms … that is the Art Walk!

The Galleries …

Galería Vallarta
Since 1989 owner Barbara Peters has specialized in ‘Art in All Forms” by talented contemporary and traditional artists. Located in the heart of the Centro Historico, you will find treasures by more than 60 painters, sculptors, jewelry designers and artisans in this unique 2 floor gallery.
Juárez #265

Sergio Bustamente
Sergio Bustamente, Mexico’s most famous living sculptor, offers unique signature and style in ceramic, bronze and resin.
Juárez #275

Galería 8 Y Más
Faithfully represents more than 45 of the best artists in Mexico. From great masters to young talents, one can sense the projection of the soul in a variety of materials and techniques. The artwork on display includes sculpture, painting and mixed media. Surrealism, abstract, figurative, naïf and expressionism are just some of the artistic styles exhibited on the walls of Galería 8 Y Más.
Corona #186
Miramar #237

Galería de Ollas
… exclusively dedicated to sell the fine pottery of Mata Ortiz, Mexico. This little town in the middle of the desert of Chihuahua State is the hometown of about 400 ceramists who created this form of art. Each piece is hand-built with coils and painted free hand with great refinement of forms and surfaces.
Corona #176

The Loft Galería
In a setting evoking the great urban art spaces, founders Rubén Cham and John Strawn exhibit and represent the works of the finest contemporary artists of the Americas. Independent art dealers and advisers, they assist individuals and corporations, as well as other galleries in developing collections, their services personalized and confidential.
Corona #176-A

Galería Corona
Located in the tradition gallery zone of Puerto Vallarta represents Mexican painters, sculptors and artisans, many of them awarded in the Biennal of Florence, Italy.
Corona #164

Galería Uno
Vallarta’s oldest and most respected art gallery with a wide selection of contemporary art, featuring more than 30 artists living and working in Mexico.
Morelos #561

Galería Emociones
For Yuri Zatarain the creative momentum didn’t stop with the rich creation of art. He created his own space to exhibit it under the name of EMOCIONES. The bright rooms of the gallery transport you to the magical interiors of the artist.
Morelos #586

Galería Pacífico
Opened in 1987 by its owner/directo. Gary Thompson, and since then it has presented an eclectic blend of highly talented and acknowledged artists, mostly Mexican and primarily sharing a diverse contemporary focus, but ranging in age from the mid-thirties to the late eighties. The prestigious Frommer’s Guide to Mexico has recommended Galería Pacífico as “one of the best galleries in Mexico.”
Aldama #174

Art Gallery Millan
Contemporaty art on painting, sculpture and mixed media from national and international artists like: Felipe Morfin, Beatriz Aguirre, Aida Ermat, Laurencia Evans, Steve Weiner, Ger Alby, Lucia Polanco, Adrix Rosales, among others.
Aldama #209

Galería A.L. Arte LatinoAmericano
Open since 1998 this gallery located in one of Vallarta’s historic buildings offers two levels of airy exhibition space featuring Vallarta’s most recognized artist, Marta Gilbert, along with internationally acclaimed contemporary artists: Jose Guerrero, Yolanda Marroquin. Eduardo Mejorada, Marenal y Celeste Acevedo among others.
Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez #155

Galería Córsica
Contemporary art at its best. Galería Córsica
Is a favorite of art collectors due to the fact that its catalogue includes only top Mexican fine artists. Be prepared to enjoy the kind of art that you would see in the most important art museums in Mexico. Manuel Felguérez, Juan Soriano and Vladimir Cora are only a few examples of what you can find there along with some other established artists.
Leona Vicario #230
Guadalupe Sánchez #735

Galerie de Artistes
Since 1992, Galerie de Artistes is renowned by its eclectic contemporary art collection. Showing from a small objet d’art to important pieces by great masters of Mexican art, we proudly represent: Feliciano Bejar, Magali Lara, Miguel Castro Leñero. Lucia Maya, Alejandra Arango. Evelyne Boren, Esau Andrade, among others.
Leona Vicario #248

Galería Whitlow
You stop and stare, entranced wondering, “How does he do that?” … Galería Whitlow displays the masterful realism of Michael Whitlow. With exacting detail, wonderful interplay of darks and lights dancing amidst exquisite, rich, vibrant colors, these paintings are like classical music for the eyes. Galería Whitlow also features the evocative Venetian and Parisian scenes of V. Gribennikov.
Leona Vicario #233

Galería Omar Alonso
Recognized as a leading contemporary art dealer and well known as the first in Puerto Vallarta to present fine photography, Galería Omar Alonso proudly represents artists such as: Flor Garduño, Luis Gonzalez Palma, Roberto Cortazar, Raymundo Andrade, Wouter Deruytter, among others.
Leona Vicario #249

Thierry Blouet
The prestigious chef and art lover exhibits his valuable collection and more, in a magical atmosphere: one of the first Vallarta houses, dedicated to art for more than 20 years. Located next o the White Tower of the landmark Café Des Artists, a must see setting for the expression of the artistic vanguard.
Guadalupe Sanchez #756

For more information on specific Art Walk Gallery schedules of artists check the Coming Events Calendar for Culture .

Telephone cards for use with these Telmex phones are available for 30 -100 Pesos at all Pharmacies and many other stores, such as liquor stores.

Local calls cost 1 peso per minute.

You can call to the US or Canada using these cards from a public ‘LADATEL’ phone for only 5 pesos (.50cUS) a minute.

These Smart-Phone-Cards display on the screen of the phone how many pesos are left to spend.

It’s a lot cheaper to buy a 100 pesos card and talk till it runs out, than to call from a hotel at a higher rate with the added service charge.

Avoid the Long Distance Collect or Credit Card offers from the many telephone boxes covered with Credit Card logos on the street. These are extremely expensive. You may have a heart attack when you see the bill when you get home.

Free Calls to the US / Canada

There are many cyber cafes, and a few bars and coffee shops that now offer free international calls to their customers.

Cell Phones

The CDMA and TDMA protocols used in the U.S. for cell phones are also used in Mexico. Some cell phone companies have a roaming agreements within Mexico. Ask your provider at home in the US who they use for roaming in Mexico… that will tell you who to sign up with when you get here. GSM phones (VoiceStream) will also work here on a frequency of 1900 MHz.

If you have a pre-paid card cell phone, it can easily have a local number added, just for the cost of buying a local SIM card.

Pre-paid cards cost from 100 Pesos up and are available at any pharmacy or liquor store.

Charges:
Local Calls – 5.50 Pesos per min.
National – 6-8 Pesos per min.
International – 14-18 Pesos per min.
Incoming calls. : Now all are free

Information for dialing Cell phones in Puerto Vallarta and Mexico

Local

To a cell phone with an area code in Puerto Vallarta (322)

044 + 322 + seven digit phone number

Long Distance

Regular phones with contract with Telmex:

To a cell phone with another Area Code eg. Guadalajara (333)

045 + 333 + seven digit phone number

Regular phones with contract with Alestra, Avantel, Axtel and Maxcom phone services in Mexico:

To a cell phone with another Area Code eg. Guadalajara (333)

01 + 333 + seven digit phone number

From USA and Canada to Puerto Vallarta (322)

011 + 52 + 1 + 322 + seven digit phone number

April 17-20, 2008
International Beach Soccer in PV
Mexico’s national beach soccer team will compete with four other national beach soccer teams from United States, El Salvador and Costa Rica here in Vallarta to participate in the World Beach Soccer Championship, to be held this coming July in Marseilles, France.

~~~ 2009 ~~~

April 20-24, 2009
11th International Symposium on Fireworks
Since it’s inception in Montreal in 92 when attendees from more than 20 nations met, there have been 10 very successful fireworks Symposia around the world…

But the picture is quite different in some areas here in Mexico. In Punta Mita, a growing community north of Puerto Vallarta, sales jumped 30 percent last year. St. Regis and the Enchantment group are both building residential and hotel properties there, while a second Jack Nicklaus-designed Signature golf course is set to open this year.

According to Andres Rossetto, the Managing Director of Resort Development for Punta Mita and DINE, the cost to build a home in Punta Mita is about a third of what it would cost to build a similarly high-end property in California, Hawaii or even Cabo San Lucas.

But that’s a third of the cost ‘to build’. Purchasing land is still pricey … consider that one-acre home sites in Punta Mita range from $2.25 million on up to $7.2 million for a beach front stake in the sand. And yes, that’s without the house, though the lot does include a private yacht pier.

Other properties have similarly luxurious price tags. Private villas at the Four Seasons are priced at $3.6 million (45 of the 55 available villas were sold by the end of last year), a three-bedroom condo in the El Encanto development goes for up to $1.4 million, and the next round of four-bedroom condominiums at Las Palmas de Punta Mita will start at $1.5 million when sales begin this spring.

No doubt the construction labor and material costs in this corner of the globe are lower than they would be in resort areas in California or Hawaii, but clearly this south of the border enclave, with beach front lots topping $7 million, is seeing its own American-fed real estate boom.

How this market will to be impacted by the rough waves of the U.S. real estate slowdown, remains to be seen.

Read more

Homex hopes to sell 100 of the homes in 2008 for between $400,000 and $900,000 in its first push into the expatriate market, said Chief Financial Officer Alan Castellanos. The goal is to tap into theincreasing numbers of American retirees as the baby-boom generation looks for retirement homes in warmer climates.

The plan is a marked change for Homex, which has grown for the last decade by building and selling smaller, cheaper homes to Mexico’s poor.

The company will keep its focus on mass-produced homes that sell for less than $40,000, but with efficient building techniques could make good profits in high-end housing as well.

Homex has already bought land and obtained building permits in Cancun and in Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos on the Pacific coast. Construction on the villas and low-rise condos is planned to begin soon.

“We’re not taking any risk on location,” Castellanos said.

Foreigners are banned by Mexican law from owning land close to the coast, but Homex plans to offer the homes under 99-year trusts.

I have lived in Puerto Vallarta for the past 10 years and I don’t think I’m ever going to leave!

Our high season for huge 500+ marlins and 300+ tuna is September through October! But you can catch a nice sized billfish all year around! The record breakers happen in mid September through October. Right now we are catching sailfish, mahi mahi, striped marlin, and smaller yellow fin tuna.

If you have any fishing photos you would like to show off, right now we are having a fishing photo competition online on our website so if you would like to show off your catch and win $200 in discounts off your next Puerto Vallarta sport fishing charter, send your fishing photos to fishinvallarta.com

But it will be tough to beat this one!

From fish-pennsylvania.com

Part of the fun of a holiday is to enjoy local festivities and events. Others select their travel date to participate in specific activities. Following are activities scheduled in Riviera Nayarit in 2008.

March 30
Bucerías Art Walk: This monthly art walk in downtown Bucerías includes not only the art galleries but other businesses as well with free horse and buggy transportation.

March TBD
PGA Tournament, Vista Vallarta: More than 30 professional and amateur players are expected at this international televised event that will take place at Vista Vallarta Golf Course with a purse of US$100,000.

April 14
Overnight Cruise to Punta de Mita: Join the sailors on this fun overnight cruise to Punta de Mita from Nuevo Vallarta’s yacht club.

April 23-24 TBD
Spring Distance Series II: 2nd Distance sailing event sponsored by Vallarta Yacht Club.

April 25th – May 3rd
Patron Saint Festivals in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

April – TBD
Third Annual Red Cross Golf Tournament: Hosted by Flamingos Golf Course in Flamingos, Nayarit, this annual event raises funds for the local Red Cross units.

April 27
Bucerías Art Walk: This monthly art walk in downtown Bucerías includes not only the art galleries but other businesses as well with free horse and buggy transportation.

May 1
Labor Day: International holiday honored in Mexico with parades for the union workers.

May 3
Fiesta Santa Cruz : This annual festival is the culmination of a week of cultural, culinary, artistic and other fun activities in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

May 5
Cinco de Mayo (Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla): This first historic battle for independence from the French in Puebla on May 5, 1862 is celebrated as a national holiday.

May
Canadian Tour at El Tigre: This open invitational golf championship tournament is sponsored by El Tigre Golf Course and is part of the not for profit International Canadian Tour. The winner takes home a purse of USD$125,000.

May 10
Mothers’ Day: Traditional Mexican family day to honor mothers.

May 11-13
14th Annual Sports Classic: Fun for the whole family at this annual event including basketball, soccer, aerobics, tennis and a mini-marathon

May 12 TBD
3rd Nocturnal Golf Tournament: Takes place at the Mayan Palace Golf Course in Nuevo Vallarta.

May 12-13
Aquatic Journey in the Santa Maria del Oro Lagoon: Locals and tourists decorate boats and take boat trips across this enigmatic lagoon.

May 14-18
VI Copa Vallarta (Vallarta Cup Soccer Tournament): This tournament in its sixth year draws soccer teams involving up to 100 teams of youths regardless of country of origin as long as the teams are registered.

May 22-25
Women’s Regatta Las Marietas: Hosted by the local women’s prize-winning sailing team, this annual event expects teams from the US , Canada and other countries.

May TBD
Seniors Cup de GADO
Senior golfers are hosted at Flamingos Golf Course, the oldest golf course in Vallarta, established in 1978.

May
Music Festival of May: This annual festival features a country each year, this year that country is Mexico.

May 15-31
Restaurant Week: Banderas Bay restaurants offer special prix-fix menus during this two-week period. The best time to enjoy local cuisine from some of the region’s best restaurants. For more information please visit www.virtualvallarta.com

June 1-3
Fishing Tournament, San Blas: Fishing tournament for local, national and international contestants.

June 3-5
Meeting Planners Mexico : An opportunity for the public and business sectors of Vallarta to meet representatives of other Mexican tourist destinations.

June 16
Anniversary Tournament at El Tigre: A local annual tournament that takes place to celebrate the anniversary of the El Tigre Golf Course.

June 24
San Juan : Celebrated by a weeklong fiesta in San Juan de Abajo

June 27-29
Festival of St. Peter and St. Paul in Mexcaltitan: Locals place images of the saints in two boats and celebrate the festival on the lagoon.

June 29
Day of St. Peter the Apostle in El Tuito: The parish of Tuito enjoys its annual celebration.

June TBD
Couples Championship
Celebrated in the Nicklaus and Weiskopf golf courses at Vista Vallarta.

July 1-7 TBD
North American and European Optimist Championship: A sailing competition that attracts over 200 boats each year.

July 12-14
Second Riviera Nayarit Fishing Tournament
Sport fishing tournament that attracts local, regional, national and international participants. During the first year, participants caught Marlin, Dorado, and Sailfish (later released) that exceeded weight expectations and broke local records.

July 28th – August 15th
Corn Festival, Jala, Nayarit: During this traditional country fair, agricultural products are displayed, particularly the huge corncobs found only in this region.

August 1-15
Corn Festival, Xalisco, Nayarit: This traditional country fair features cultural events, local dishes based on corn, and displays of agricultural products.

August 31
UjENA Bikini Jam: In this international competition for bikini models and photographers, a series of events will take place in Banderas Bay with photo shoots, a 5K run and the final crowning of the bikini model 2007 at a local nightclub.

August 31st – September 2nd
Final Audi Cuattro Cup: National golf competition sponsored by Audi, previous tournament in Acapulco .

September 4-6
Audi Ladies Cup: National ladies tournament

September 14
The Day of the Charro: This special day honors the charro with parades on horseback throughout the towns that feature a lienzo (stadium for charreada)

September 15-16
El Grito de Independencia: Celebrating the shout for independence in 1810 when on the night of September 15th the bells rang at the church in Dolores Hidalgo. The evening of the 15th features parades, games, speeches, culminating in fireworks while the 16th is a national holiday with military parades. The two days are the core of Fiestas Patrias.

September 26th – October 4th
San Francisco de Asís ( Assisi ): The town of San Francisco (San Pancho) celebrates their saint’s day with a pilgrimage, charro parade, street fair and fireworks.

September – December
Turtle Release: During the hatching season of the marine turtles, many local hotels participate in the program to release the recently hatched baby turtles. Participating hotels include: Presdiente Intercontinental Puerto Vallarta Resort, Samba Vallarta All-Inclusive by Pueblo Bonito, and Casa De Mita. Make sure you contact the hotels to find out more about their turtle release programs.

October
Vallarta Yacht Club opens for season: The nonprofit Vallarta Yacht Club opens for a season packed with sailing and parties.

November – May
Polo Season: At the polo fields in nearby San Pancho ( San Francisco ), Nayarit and Costa Careyes in Costalegre, participate or enjoy polo matches with true professionals.

November
Copa Vallarta (Vallarta Cup) Golf Tournament: This annual pro-am golf event is held at El Tigre and Vista Vallarta with a purse of $200,000 pesos and other prizes including Swing Vallarta.

November
Sailfish & Marlin International Tournament: This extraordinary annual event in its 52nd year takes place in Banderas Bay with cash prizes for those catching the big ones.

November 1-2
Todos los Santos , Día de los Muertos (All Saints’ Day, Day of the Dead): Traditional, pre-Hispanic celebrations of a time when the spirits of the departed dead are welcomed back by altars decorated with favorites of the departed.

November 3-4
Antique Automobile Event : Rincon de Guayabitos

November 13 -23
Gourmet Festival: In its 14th year and better than ever, the Gourmet Festival involves the best restaurants in the bay area in a celebration of cuisine.

November 20
Mexican Revolution, also Sports Day: This national holiday celebrates the Mexican revolution of 1910 when Francisco I. Madero denounced Dictator General Porfirio Díaz calling for a national insurrection. Sports day is celebrated with parades featuring schools, activities, seniors and more.

December
Seventh Annual Cruisers Great Chili Cook-Off: Said to be more fun than any chili cook-off in the world, sponsored by the Vallarta Yacht Club. www.vallartayachtclub.com

December
Surf Classic in Sayulita: This annual event for surfers draws people from all over the world to this major surfing destination in Sayulita.

December 1-12
Pilgrimages for the Virgin of Guadalupe: Sayulita , Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta , Jalisco, celebrate the twelve days with pilgrimages (peregrinaciones) each day and evening with processions and floats, Aztec dancers, folklore groups and military bands.

December 15th – March 31st
Whale Watching Season: Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see the amazing Humpback Whales in their winter habitat

December 16
Desfile de Alegria, (Happiness Parade), Tepic : Colorful parade with attractive floats

December 16-24
Posadas : The Posadas commemorate the Biblical story (brought here by the Spanish) of Joseph and Mary searching for posada as the birth date of the child nears

December 24-25
Christmas: Midnight mass is held the evening of December 24th with presents exchanged in the evening or in the morning of the 25th replacing the exchange of gifts originally celebrated on Day of Kings, January 6th

December 31
New Year’s Eve: Many of the restaurants in Riviera Nayarit offer New Year party celebrations. Please check Riviera Nayarit’s website at www.RivieraNayarit.com for restaurant listings and contacts

About Riviera Nayarit
Riviera Nayarit is Mexico ’s newest travel destination stretching along 100 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by spectacular mountains to the north of renowned Puerto Vallarta . Mostly undeveloped, the destination extends from the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta to the historic, colonial town of San Blas, including exclusive Punta Mita and the spectacular Banderas Bay. The region features luxury resorts and eco-tourism boutique hotels, world-renowned surfing, four professional golf courses, rare native wildlife including sea turtles and tropical birds, mountain and island adventures, shopping for local artwork and traditional Huichol handicrafts, charming fishing towns and miles of serene beaches.

Since it’s inception in Montreal in 92 when attendees from more than 20 nations met, there have been 10 very successful fireworks Symposia,

• Montreal Canada 1992,
• Vancouver Canada 1994,
• Walt Disney World Orlando 1996,
• Halifax Canada 1998,
• Naples Italy 2000,
• Walt Disney World Orlando 2001,
• Valencia Spain 2003,
• Shiga Japan 2005,
• Berlin Germany 2006
• and the 10th anniversary back in Montreal 2007

and now… Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in 2009!

Photo credit – Mark Callanan

The Symposia were brought to life by CERL, the Canadian Explosives Research Laboratory. After five Symposia CERL turned the administration over to a non-profit International Symposium on Fireworks Society, which continued on with the organization of the 6th Symposium at Walt Disney World .

This series of Symposia has become the world’s premiere international gathering of the pyrotechnic industry. Each Symposium focuses on bringing together individuals of diverse pyrotechnic background, to provide a fertile atmosphere in which to see the newest technology, to trade experience and ideas on ways to enhance the industry and to move the science forward.

The emphasis of the Symposia is on the presentation of papers and the discussion of topics dealing with the safety, scientific, engineering, artistic, and regulatory aspects of fireworks and other pyrotechnics associated with entertainment and celebration on a global basis.

More information