Henry has dusted off an old hat that she hasn’t worn in a very long time to design a gallery/studio structure with a good tango floor for dancing and teaching her Organic Stretch system (an outgrowth of the Wallace Method). She envisions art events, small concerts, milongas, workshops, and regular classes once the new building is completed. The design includes a large open studio on the second floor where she can continue to expand the scale of her work and to further explore her current focus on colorful, abstracts in oil and acrylic.

The event on May 15th, from 6 – 9:30, is open to the public and will include both her new work as well as two suites of monotypes (a tango shoe series and a group with a Mexican flavor). There are limited edition prints of some of the original watercolors done when she first arrived in PV in 1997 (from her solo sail around the world) and a few from the time she spent in the Caribbean.

As with many decisions in her life, Henry says she just woke up one morning in late March knowing that it was time to move to La Cruz and her little house. Puerto Vallarta has been her home longer than any other city or town in the world, and after visiting 52 countries and spending considerable time in quite a few, that makes this move significant.

An opening date for the new facility is too far in the future to predict, but Henry will have a tango floor/stretch class space ready by the end of this June. Visitors with an appointment will be welcome to visit and view her art, but none of the work will be hanging on gallery walls for quite awhile.

Friday, May 15, 6 – 9:30, Pat Henry Studio, Jacarandas 183, Zona Romantica, Phone: 222-4119, www.pat-henry.com

Gallery Exhibition
Opening: Friday, April 24th, 2009
7:00-9:00 p.m.
T. Fuller Fine Art
Corona 169, Centro
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Four emerging artists will be showcased in a unique photographic exhibit at T. Fuller Fine Art on Friday, April 24, 2009.

The first in a series of exhibits committed to recognizing and assisting talented artists, this collection will center on photographs shot in the Tropic of Cancer in the Caribbean, Mexico and Southeast Asia.

The work of Jonathan Auch, Elizabeth Fladung, Edmund Fladung and Ed Fladung differs thematically from photojournalistic investigations of Haitian deforestation to portraitures of Jamaican men to street life in Cambodia, but the intent of El Trópico de Cáncer is to show the connective tissue of humankind in a latitude where the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the sun to its maximum extent.

Photos ranging from inspiringly exquisite to candidly harsh show the fragile balance between life at its most sublime to situations that are past resuscitation. Turning a corner in Port-au-Prince, Kingston, Bucerias or Phnom Penh can quickly result in images that morph from heavenly to demonic impressions.

The photographers chosen for this show offer variety in their vision and intent as artists.

Jonathan Auch is a photojournalist from New York City whose Haitian photographs documenting the demise of the poorest country in the world will be featured in the exhibit. After studying illustration and photography at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Jonathan returned to his birthplace to work for Magnum 7 photographer, James Nachtwey. Jonathan shoots photographs first as a journalist and then as an artist, but his intent is primarily to bear witness to important events for the purpose of leaving enduring impressions. Jonathan does not explain his work; his stories on film will fend for themselves although he believes there is a fine line between the perception of reality and the continuous evolution of truth. Jonathan is also successful as a cinematographer for short subject films and as a still photography for PBS-funded documentaries.

Elizabeth Fladung has a keen interest in story telling through visual mediums. She has been involved with film and photography from an early age. After attending California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles, she spent eight years as a freelance art, documentary, and editorial photographer in New York City. For the last two years she has made Puerto Vallarta her home. She travels frequently for work and in her spare time documents life in Mexico. In this show, Elizabeth offers a collection of images of Jamaican men. Always drawn to humans and their imprint on society Elizabeth seeks to capture personalities and the subjects she is photographing. Having had a strong interest in Jamaican culture from a young age, Elizabeth chose to document the essence of what makes Jamaica truly hypnotic – its people.

Covering Southeast Asia in this exhibit is Edmund Fladung, a native of Philadelphia who now lives in Nayarit. Edmund is a surfer, photographer, graphic designer and writer whose graphic eye informs his photography. His work occasionally revolves around typologies: bicycles, signs, VW bugs, flip-flops, close-up portraits and street scenes. There is often a humorous undercurrent in his photography. Edmund, who holds a BFA in graphic design from The California Institute of the Arts, considers his photographs to be personal – they are documents about his daily life and various travels. Like many photographers, Edmund avoids explanations about and instead chooses to tell his stories without burdening the viewer with his own emotional attachments. The one unifying discipline in all of his visual and written work is to leave his viewers with a good story.

Photographer Ed Fladung’s Mexican landscapes complete the fourth component of the El Trópico de Cáncer photography collection at the gallery. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Ed’s first education in photography came from his grandfather, a well-known Maryland naturalist and self-taught photographer who allowed Ed to remain in his darkroom as long as he was attentive. From this experience, Ed developed a love for developing his own film, a process he engaged in for many years until the advent of the digital camera, which he now uses. Ed has studied with well-known Berkeley photography educator Peter Pfersic and with large format landscape photographer Tim Cooper. Ed has lived in Mexico since 2003 and now makes his home in Bucerias. Ed’s work captures the visual allure of Mexico – it is rich in saturated pigment and vibrancy.

All four photographers will be at El Trópico de Cáncer opening, which the public is invited to attend on Friday, April 24, 2009, 7:00-9:00 p.m., at T. Fuller Fine Art, Corona 169 (between Morelos and Juarez), Centro, Puerto Vallarta.

For additional information, please contact Lynn Auch, Gallery Director, at 322.222.8196.
Website: T Fuller Fine Art

Twelve years ago, at the end of an eight-year solo-circumnavigation on her 31-foot sailboat, Henry chose Puerto Vallarta for her home. She took a break from painting to write By the Grace of the Sea: A Woman’s Solo Odyssey Around the World (McGraw-Hill/2002), opened a women’s sailing school, and finally returned to art. A long-time watercolorist, she spent spring 2008 exploring new avenues for her artistic expression…moving from realism to pure abstract, from watercolor to acrylic and oil, expanding the physical size of her pieces, and rekindling her passion for painting.

Appointments to visit the studio are available at other times at 222-4119. The Pat Henry Studio is located at Jacarandas 183 in Zona Romantica. Her show includes abstracts as well as monotypes. See www.pat-henry.com

His new abstractions continue to explore the textural properties of various media. Precise and pure, their meaning relies on the form that a mixture of ground marble, pigment and oil alkyd takes when applied to a linen surface resulting in an abstraction. His formal compositions are less about the paintings and more about the alchemy of the materials he uses.

With a vibrant palette of deep blues, radiant reds, ghostly grays and soft whites, there is a simplicty in how the light is collected and deflected depending on the position from which a work is viewed.

Buck is a native of Utah, but divides his time between Puerto Vallarta and the San Francisco area. His achievements include the prestigious Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant, a California State Art Fellowship, a WESTAF/NEA Fellowship in Drawing, a Mary Skaggs Printmaking Fellowship and numerous other awards.

Collectors of his work are from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland, California; Portland, Oregon; New York City; Chicago; Salt Lake City; Jakarta, Singapore, and many cities in Mexico.

You are invited to attend the opening of Buck’s newest work from 7:00 – 9:00 pm, on Friday, January 30, at the T. Fuller Fine Art, Corona 169, Centro, Puerto Vallarta.

The first Cuale Festival – “Culture in Motion” merges music, dance, theater, culinary arts, and handicrafts the the river songs, beautiful vegetation and the sound of the ocean surf… a unique celebration of arts in Puerto Vallarta.

The festival is an important tourist attraction with Puerto Vallarta as the number four destination nationally for cultural tourism … delivering a unique program with renowned artists for three straight weekends from January 16 to 31.

The purpose of the festival is to combine artistic originality with community values and economic benefit… a different proposal, yet integral to creating a new cultural strength in our vibrant city.

Join us from January 16 to 31 on the Cuale River Island in downtown, Puerto Vallarta.

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 .

Henry has been a well-known member of the permanent expat community of Puerto Vallarta ever since she arrived alone on her sailboat more than eleven years ago at the end of a solo around-the-world adventure. She financed that voyage with colorful, highly detailed watercolors of the ports where she stopped along her 40,000 mile voyage.

What is hanging in her studio now is a long way from those paintings. She has kept the bright, tropical colors, but almost everything else has changed…now she is painting oil and acrylic abstracts that explore spatial relationships through color, texture, and movement. There is a new freedom and playfulness in her work, something she sought and has finally discovered with the change of medium and approach.

Her monotypes include pieces reflecting colors and patterns of Mexico and a playful series of tango shoes…influenced by her passion for the past four years for Argentine tango. Henry is a member of the local tango community TangoVallarta.

The biweekly open studio evenings will continue throughout the season: Jan 9/23; Feb 6/20; Mar 6/20; Apr 3/17 and May 1/15. Henry’s studio is also open by appointment. For information: 222-4119.
http://www.pat-henry.com

May 28 to June 1, 2008, Puerto Vallarta will be home to the first annual Puerto Vallarta: Arte Contemporaneo, a contemporary art festival that will transform Puerto Vallarta into a showcase of art by Mexican and international artists.

Twenty-two artists, eight panelists and three art galleries will be participating in this year’s inaugural festival. Extended Borders: Shifting Cartographies will promote dialogues between Mexican artists and Los Angeles-based artists on globalization, the idea of extended borders, and hybrid identities.

Art lovers and collectors will see exhibitions and public art projects including videos and installation art along Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón, and will be able to participate in discussion groups.

All participating artists have had their work exhibited in prestigious museums in the USA and Mexico, many of them having exhibited in the Whitney Biennial. Some of the participating artists in this year’s festival include Francis Alÿs, widely considered to be among the most important artists working today; Los Angeles born and Guadalajara-based Eduardo Sarabia whose work is influenced by the poetics of the black market and northern Mexican folklore and who is in the Whitney Biennial 2008; and Los Angeles artists Mario Ybarra Jr., also participating in the Whitney Biennial 2008 and whose works have been exhibited at the Tate Modern, and the Prague Biennial.

Rita Gonzalez, an assistant curator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Alma Ruiz, curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, will be leading panel discussions. Puerto Vallarta: Arte Contemporaneo is directed by Los Angeles curator Pilar Perez.

Rich in culture and steeped in tradition, Puerto Vallarta is home to numerous cultural festivals from music, theater and film to culinary arts, and traditional indigenous cultures.

Additional information on Puerto Vallarta: Arte Contemporaneo ‘08, Extended Border: Shifting Cartographies available.

Original article appeared on Mexico Premiere