Shopping Galore and Streets of Galleries!
Restaurants for Every Taste and Budget. Tacos to Fine Dining!
Category Archives: Retail and Shopping
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Puerto Vallarta Best gallery and Wine bar
We have been fans of Galleria Dante for years now. And we absolutely love the new addition, Di Vino Dante, which opened in 2013.
Galleria Dante and Di Vino Dante, even though two separate businesses, are both located in an old hacienda style villa at Basilio Badillo #269.
After meeting in Puerto Vallarta in 1986, Claire and Joe Guarniere, inspired by Dante and Beatrice and their mutual love of Italy, began their family business in 1988 with an Italian restaurant called “Pizza Joe” and a small classical art gallery.
In 1995, their passion for art outweighed the long hours in the restaurant business so they opened “Galleria Dante”, which is now the largest and most eclectic fine art gallery in Puerto Vallarta, exhibiting the works of more than 50 artists –from emerging to well established museum artists (both painters and sculptors). Of these artists 90% are Mexican-born. The countless pieces are arranged in the European “salon” style throughout the massive gallery’s eight rooms, including a beautiful open-air courtyard, which is my favorite part!
In 2013, Gena, born and raised in the family businesses, opened Di Vino Dante, a wine and Tapas bar overlooking the gallery’s sculpture garden which also offers larger plates. The restaurant also rotates art from the gallery, offering the opportunity for diners to purchase art while enjoying a fine glass of wine or cocktail. . During her second year at University “UBC” in Vancouver, British Columbia, she took “Wine Science”, to complete her Science credit. It changed her life. Growing up in an Italian family, surrounded by art and after numerous summers in Italy, she had never developed a taste for wine. With her interest peaked, and a new found love of wine, she took more wine classes, in what free time she had in completing her Fine Art degree. After studying wine theory and tasting hundreds of bottles of wine, she dreamed of how to work in the business.
Both business continue to evolve and grow, the gallery always in search of new artists, the wine bar offering new menu items and an extensive wine cellar. Later this season, Di Vino Dante will be opening the rooftop garden, which will also be available for special events and private parties.
Galleria Dante and Di Vino Dante are located at Basilio Badillo #269 in the Old Town / Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta. New artwork comes in on a regular basis, and the restaurant offers weekly specials, so even if you have visited Galleria Dante in the past, it is always worth another visit.
Fantastic Oaxaca Painted Mexican Animals
The Alebrijes are brightly colored Oaxacan Mexican Folk Art sculptures of fantastical creatures. They seem to strike a universal chord with our shared human experience. Colorful and whimsical. The first alebrijes, along with use of the term, originated with Pedro Linares. In the 1930s. Over the past 20 years this style has evolved dramatically from colorful and whimsical folk art into fine contemporary art. It is sought out worldwide by very passionate collectors who can’t seem to get enough.
JULIA FUENTES, From San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca. Daughter of renowned artisans Epifanio Fuentes and Laurencia Santiago. Julia Fuentes began painting at her parent’s workshop in 1989 when she was only 13 years old. A few years later she began her art education at the School of Fine Arts where she graduated as Art Instructor in 1989. Julia and her husband Juan J. Melchor started their own workshop in 2001.
Julia’s paintings are characterized by colorful geometric shapes on copal wood figures that her husband carves which she decorates with traditional spikes combined with Zapotec details, in a fusion of the past and the present thus adding a new level of depth to Mexican folk art.
Brothers Armando and Moises Jimenez are the grandsons of the master woodcarver Manuel Jimenez, of Arrazola, Oaxaca. Manuel Jimenez is generally acknowledged as the father of Oaxacan woodcarving, who turned the small farming village on the slopes of Monte Alban into a boom town. Armando and Moises work with their wives, Antonia Carrillo and Oralia Cardenas, and their children. They carry on the tradition of sensitively observed naturalistic carving and colorful but restrained painting mastered by their grandfather.
The story of Manuel Jiménez is now part of Oaxacan folklore. He struggled out of poverty to become one of the world’s most reknown woodcarvers. His early work focused on animals and people and he continues making realistic animals. Occasionally, he will add a twist or contortion to their forms.
Isaac and Rosario Fabian are two of the better known popular artists. Using wood from the copal tree, figures are carved, sanded, and painted by hand. They usually use marble eyes in their works.
The carving of a piece, which is done while the wood is still wet, can last anywhere from hours to a month, depending on the size and fineness of the piece. Often the copal wood that is used will influence what is made, both because of the shapes the branches can take and because male and female trees differ in hardness and shape. Carving is done with non-mechanical hand tools such as machetes, chisels and knives. The basic shape of the creature is usually hacked using a machete, then a series of smaller knives used as the final shape is achieved. Certain details such as ears, tails and wings are usually made from pieces separate from the one for the main body.
After the carving, the figure is then left to dry for up to ten months, depending on its overall size and thickness. Semi tropical wood such as copal is susceptible to insect infestations, and for this reason drying pieces are often soaked in gasoline and sometimes baked to ensure that all insect eggs have been destroyed. As the figure dries, it is also susceptible to cracking. The cracks are filled with small pieces of copal wood and a sawdust resin mixture before painting. The painting is generally done in two layers, with a solid undercoat and a multicolored designed superimposed.
THE BEST place in Puerto Vallarta to see all of this and much more is Peyote People and Galeria Colectika . Traveling around Mexico buying for Peyote People and Colectika, owner Kevin Simpson has had the unique opportunity to visit recluse villages, participate in ancient rituals and have befriended a number of different artists and their families. You will find a great assortment of art at all price ranges!
Peyote People Juarez 222 Col. Centro
Galeria Colectika corner of Calle Guadalupe Sanchez and Calle Allende
Puerto Vallarta Romantic Valentines Get Away
Everything about Puerto Vallarta lends itself to romance: The blue water and green mountains, the cobblestone streets and traditional architecture, the brilliant colors and music. So planning a romantic Valentine’s Day in Vallarta is amazingly simple.
February 14 – Friendship Day (Día de Amistad – Valentine’s Day); in Mexico, not just love, but friendship, as well, is celebrated on February 14.
For great gifts for your special someone visit Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates in the Romantic Zone for sinfully delicious handmade treats, Jabonarte on Lazaro Cardenas for seductive massage and bath oils or Diamonds International for jewelry on the Puerto Vallarta Malecon.
Couple’s massages and spa treatments are another great way to enjoy Valentine’s Day in Puerto Vallarta with your sweetheart. Ohtli Spa at CasaMagna Marriott is certain to spark the romance.
Most of the restaurants in Puerto Vallarta will be offering special dinners for two for Valentine’s Day and some of the more famously romantic spots include: The River Café, Trio, Le Kliff, Porto Bello, Café des Artistes, No Way Jose, Barcelona Tapas, Michel, and The Swedes. You need to reserve in advance if you don’t want to wait for ages!
And of course, no romantic evening in Puerto Vallarta is complete without a stroll along the Malecon watching the sunset and the fireworks lighting up the sky over Banderas Bay.
The beautiful heart artwork in the photo is just one of the amazing Retablo’s Crafted by the world-famous Peruvian artists the Jiménez Quispe family. For them, the making of retablo art is a family tradition. The third and fourth generations of this family, with are world-renowned artists with pieces in dozens of museums including the Smithsonian, Folk Art Museums in Sante Fe and San Francisco and many others. This family is originally from Ayacucho, high in the mountains. Both Colecktika and Peyote People carry these and other amazing pieces of affordable art!
Galleria Dante and Di Vino Dante Tapas Restaurant Bar
Puerto Vallarta most beautiful Art Gallery, Galleria Dante and Di Vino Dante Tapas Restaurant Bar a must visit in while in Puerto Vallarta.
Galleria Dante is the largest fine Art gallery in Puerto Vallarta with more than 7000 square feet of show room and gardens on the first level. The gallery represents more than 60 emerging and established artists, of which the majority are Mexican artists. When Joe, Claire & Gena Guarniere purchased hacienda “Casa de Colores” in 1988 for their successful Italian restaurant “Pizza Joe” decorated with art treasures from their travels to Europe, little did they know that in 1995 they would be retiring from the restaurant to run a gallery full time. And once again it is a Casa filled with color!
The gallery is an eclectic blend of styles: abstract, classical, contemporary, surreal, expressionistic and impressionistic! Another unique point of Galleria Dante is the amount of sculpture exhibited indoors and out. We ship world wide! A complete inventory is posted to the website, where clients can also order online. Galleria Dante is open 9am to 5 pm, Monday thru Friday and in high season also open Saturday 9 am to 2 pm. Or private viewings, after hours can be arranged thru Di Vino Dante Restaurant.
In November of 2013 Di Vino Dante restaurant in Puerto Vallarta opened it’s doors on the 2nd floor, incorporating many unique spaces to exhibit art. Di Vino Dante Restaurant is a full service restaurant where the owner, Gena is knowledgeable about wine and art. There is indoor and outdoor seating, as well as an air-conditioned space. Puerto Vallarta Restaurants also opening in late 2015 is a roof top garden and terrace for the expanded menu and private parties. This is not only a relaxing place to dine, with great food and drinks, it is a work of art.
Check out this video by WeDidYourHomeWork Venura Orozco.
Walk Down Calle Basilio Badillo
In 1982, Basilio Badillo consisted of 3 small hotels and one or two businesses.
In 1988, Basilio Badillo was known for three restaurants, Roberto’s Puerto Nuevo, Pizza Joe and El Tucan (run by Memo who later opened Memo’s Pancake house) . These restaurants were so successful that more restaurants and other businesses started to relocate to this area.
In the mid-90’s there were 12 restaurants on the 200 block of Basilio Badillo, so for years it was known as “Restaurant Row,” or La Calle de los Cafés. Some restaurants closed, and fine shops started to take over. Now in 2015, there are more than 100 businesses in 5 short blocks of Basilio Badillo. There are 28 restaurants, 5 coffee shops, plus 5 specialty shops: chocolates, ice cream, crepes, 2 bakeries. 31 shops which include fine art and folk art galleries, clothing and jewelry. There are two great theatres! There is a hospital, yoga studio, dental offices, 4 pharmacies, 8 massage parlors and more. And for more than 30 years Alano which offers several 12 step programs in English. As a result, the area has been known for some years as the best place in town to hang out. Check out this VIDEO by WeDidYourHomeWork Venura Orozco.
Galeria Indigena Mexican Art and Sale Oct 12
We are very excited for this coming October 12th when Galeria Indigena celebrates their 29th anniversary! This place is amazing with 5000 square feet of arts and crafts from all over Mexico! If you have never been to this gallery, watch the video on their Facebook page!
(PHOTO: Incredible CATRINA “FRIDA”
Beads on bees wax on clay.
Beaded By; Hilario Jimenez
Grandson of the medicine men (Shaman).
Enjoy complimentary drinks and discounts all day on October 12th!
“Thanks to all our customers and friends who over the years have favored us with their shopping, and at the same time we commit to continue offering quality products with attractive prices and better services, ” say the owners!
The Phantasmagorical World of New Age Oaxacan Wood Carvings
There are a couple of versions on how one of the most fascinating & intriguing examples of Mexican indigenous crafts evolved, namely that of the delightful hand carved & brightly painted wood creations begun by Pedro Linares in Mexico in the 1930s (although he began with papier mache).
The one version that appears most probable is that it was born from one of his dreams induced by an illness, but in any case the Mexican artisan is known world-wide for his or her rich imagination & in some indigenous groups, like the Huichols, with their fantastically colorful & complex beaded designs, this imagination is egged on by the ceremonial ingestion of “magic” plants like peyote, which contain mescaline. (Read Aldous Huxley’s classic “Doors of Perception” about the author’s pleasant experience with the drug.)
Out of Linares’s succession of zoomorphical illusions in a dream came an “exhibition” of fierce dragon bodies, scary bat wings & jaguar’s teeth all married to the world of reptiles, birds, insects & mammals. These figures, big & small, can be seen at most Mexican craft outlets, however the discerning art lover will quickly recognize that the examples offered at Galeria Indigena are extraordinary to say the least: here the artists have taken this art form to the nth degree with more outlandish sculpture & minutely painted detail using fine haired brushes, thus qualifying to be categorized as “New Age Oaxacan Wood Carvings”.
Galeria Indigena’s wonder-inspiring Alebrijes are another example of an art treasure that will thrill your family & friends back home.
THE DELIGHTFUL, WHIMSICAL ART OF NAUI
“The Night is Always Young” for these attractive, chubby angels who always bring a smile or two to its viewers.
Created by renowned Mexican artist “Naui”, each signed & numbered painting is a unique combination of acrylic
on canvas and finely-painted, moon-shaped ceramic faces. One satisfied client wrote: “To bring a sense of joy and humor to visitors at my new home, I placed several Naui paintings of these “Ladies of the Night” in one of my bathrooms & what a positive reception I received!” A unique work of art placed in any part of your home, make a wise choice: choose a Naui painting and take back a Mexican art treasure of true lasting value.
Three Hens and a Rooster Market
Three Hens and A Rooster Market
“Three Hens and a Rooster” is a local market that supports Puerto Vallarta’s artisans and let people enjoy the handcrafted products.
In this market you can find one of a kind jewelry items, hand woven scarves, creative art pieces, beautiful shawls, hand crafted purses, antiques, and array of healthy plants, freshly made bred, homemade pizza, bakery items and more.
Three Hens and a Rooster Market
(near the river)
Venustiano Carranza #466
Col. Emiliano Zapata C5-J
Every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Phone: 044 (322) 779-7595
AUGUST 1st is the last Flea Market of the Summer Season –
Galeria Indigena Fine Mexican Native Art Puerto Vallarta
The first time we drove past Galeria Indigena, there was a girl outside dressed as “Catrina” and I knew we had to stop in! We made the cab drive turn around and drop us off!
When you walk in the door – it’s sensory overload! Rows of fantastic arts! This place is huge!
The store has an extensive collection from various indigenous cultures of Mexico: dance and ceremonial masks, handcrafted Oaxacan black clay pottery by Zapotec indians, unique Day of the Dead items in ceramic and paper mache’, sacred Huichol Indian bead and yarn work, hand-blown glass, Nahua Indian lacquer art from Guerro, religious arts and figures, majoloica pottery from Tlaxcala and talavera ceramic pieces from Pueblo with some 800 designs, Mata Ortiz pottery, as well as extraordinary bark paper etchings by internationally-known Nahua artist Nicolas de Jesus. The collection of items will wow you!
While we were there picking and choosing what we wanted to take back with us, we started talking with the owner, who has been in business 27 years! He offered us a beer and gave us a private tour of his growing collection upstairs! (Which is not yet open to the public). I just want to work in this store!
For the past 27 years Ignacio Jacobo (“call me Nacho”) and his wife, Maria del Camen Najera, traveled throughout their native Mexico searching for indigenous art which they offer for sale in their 5,000 sq. ft. Galeria Indígena. (Indígena is Spanish for “native” or “indigenous.”
“Nacho’s” inventory comes from some 54 Mexican tribal regions. He says that many of the skills are passed on from generation to generation, with each generation modifying the basic efforts and utilizing new technologies and skills. He is forthcoming in telling the stories behind most of his inventory. I’ll share some of them with you.
ROWS of Catrina’s at all prices! I don’t think I have ever seen so much Day of the Dead art in one shop! You have to allow a good hour to browse this wonderful treasure trove of art!
Sidenote – Some 100 years ago (1913), Mexican artist and cartoonist José Guadalupe Posada created the La Catrina’s calavera, the skeletal skull covered by a broad-brimmed hat decorated with ostrich feathers.
Some say that he was parodying poor Mexicans for putting on upper-class European airs. During the years 1946-47, Diego Rivera created a mural that featured a skeletal La Catrina fully dressed in finery. Rivera depicted himself as a young boy holding La Catrina’s bony right hand while behind him stands Frieda Kahlo with her hand on his shoulder. Posada stands at La Catrina’s left. The mural is now at the Museo Mural Diego Rivera in Mexico City. La Catrina has morphed into Mexico’s symbol of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) signifying Mexican’s belief in the neutrality of death.
The Indigena gallery is one of my personal favorites for gifts. But secretly I want ONE OF EVERYTHING for myself!
Galeria Indigena – Central – 628 Juarez.
Tel: 223-0800, 222-3007
Mon-Fri, 10am-8pm; Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, 11am-3pm.
FIND THEM ON FACEBOOK!
Colectika Gallery and Peyote People Art
COLECTIKA GALLERY
is a wonderful shop with room after room of amazing Mexican art. Located at the corner of Guadalupe Sanchez and Allende. Owner Kevin, together with his wife Beatriz work directly with artists and their families.
Here you will see very old Mexican traditions in art but interrupted in new colors, forms and techniques!
This evolution in traditional Mexican folk art is adapted from the outside world and allow Native and Mexican folk artists alike a whole new way of expressing how their ancient traditions and beliefs fit into today’s modern world.
Artists like Jacobo and Maria Angeles, Afonso Castillo, Saulo Moreno, Guillerimina Aguilar, Florencio Lopez, Santos Bautista, Luis Castro and Jose Benitez are very well recognized and have been shown in museums and galleries the world over!
(On a recent visit, artists Jacobo and Marie Angeles were on hand, doing some live wood carvings).
The store provides a wonderful tour of many rooms; some indoor and some outdoor. Art in every corner and at many different price points.
Huichol Indian Beaded Mexican Folk Art; Oaxacan Wood Carvings; Oil paintings to Catrina and Day of The Dead. It’s a world where skeletons come alive to celebrate life. Shaman converse with their Gods and nahuales shift from human to animal form under the light of the moon. Something here for everyone.
They also own a shop called Peyote People at Juarez 222, Colonia Centro. Peyote People is more of a store than a gallery – though there are art pieces here as well. Prices are very affordable.
The story behind the store is quite fascinating! Deep in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Western Mexico live the Huichol Indians. Very little is known about the exact origins of the Huichol, but today they are clinging to a set of customs and beliefs that make them one of the best preserved Pre-Columbian tribes in the Western Hemisphere.
Since 1997 Kevin and his wife have been traveling up to the ancient Huichol Indian Ceremonial Center of San Andres Cohamiata where they have followed a number of Huichol families through their daily lives and have documented the ceremonies that set them apart from the rest of the world. Through their web site they give you a never before seen look into the Huichol Indian ceremonial cycle and Peyote People help market their art for the money they need to host their traditional rituals and ceremonies.
Peyote People is a fair trade co-operative based in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico that provides most of the carvings to our artists as well as new iridescent glass beads that are imported exclusively by us into Mexico for our artists to use in their art. We have been recognized by the Huichol Indian Traditional Government of San Andres Cohamaita for not only promoting their artwork but also for our commitment to the preservation of their customs and traditions through what we call CULTURAL AUTHENTICITY:
“Cultural Authenticity may be an invisible quality but it is what separates
the ‘urban’ Huichol from those who actually live in the Sierra and are
actively involved in the preservation of their cultures traditions.”
Located at the corner of Guadalupe Sanchez and Allende.
Colectika Gallery & Peyote People
Learn about the Puerto Vallarta art walks and schedule HERE.
Grand Opening at Di Vino Dante November 22nd!
GRAND OPENING!
Friday, November 22nd
Basilio Badillo 269 A
50% off wine by the glass and tapas 5-7pm
and
20% off wine by the glass and tapas 7-11pm
Hours:
Email: info.divinodante@gmail.
Phone: (322) 223.3734
only accepting cash or
American Express.
Puerto Vallarta Lifeguard FireFighter Calendar for 2014
Puerto Vallarta Lifeguards and Firefighters are turning up the heat
by releasing a 2014 calendar that will be instrumental in raising funds
for their projects. The calendar was launched at a private party with
live entertainment, raffles and more. Several calendar ‘models’ were in
hand as a token of gratitude for all the efforts to make their programs
possible.
“This event serves as a reminder of the enormous risks taken by
emergency responders on a daily basis” remarked Elroy Quenroe who
graciously donated his winnings back from the 50/50 raffle “We are
grateful for your life-saving efforts and public service to all of us in
Puerto Vallarta and throughout Banderas Bay.” Carol Clarke was one
of the first to purchase the $200 peso 14-month calendars, adding “First
responders are the unsung heroes who respond day and night to life
threatening situations without hesitation or delay and deserve tonight’s
recognition.”
Calendars are available for purchase at Salud Super Food, PVRPV.com
office and Deja New Consignment in Emiliano Zapata; and The Coffee Cup
and Alexander A Salon in Marina Vallarta. Calendars cost $200 pesos
each, with 100% of the proceeds for the Puerto Vallarta Fire
Department’s training and education programs.
