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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
Dinner in the Sky PUERTO VALLARTA 2017
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Puerto Vallarta Gay Mens Chorus Dec. 15
Celebrate the holidays as PVGMC presents HALLELUJAH!
The Puerto Vallarta Gay Men’s Chorus (PVGMC), directed by Alfonso López, presents its annual holiday musical celebration at 8 PM on December 15 and 16 and at 4 PM and 8 PM on December 17 at Act II Stages
The PVGMC develops and shares the vocal skills of gay men from Mexico, the United States, Canada and around the world. They perform choral music that entertains, enlightens and unifies the audience, as well as its members, while building bridges of greater understanding, acceptance and love between communities, cultures, families, and friends. They are warmly embraced by the local Mexican and Ex-Pat communities, as well as tourists of both cultures.
This time of year brings back recollection of some of the most memorable times spent with family and friends. Buy your ticket today online at http://actiientertainment.com/
Gay Marriage LEGAL in Puerto Vallarta NOW
Jalisco has now became the fourth Mexican state to legalize same-sex marriage, following Chihuahua, Coahuila and Quintana Roo; the capital, Mexico City, also recognizes same-sex marriages.
For the fourth consecutive year, Puerto Vallarta will be hosting the annual LGBTTIQ pride festival this year, scheduled to take place May 16 to 30, under the motto, “We are one family.” The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board will join local civil associations, private companies and Puerto Vallarta’s local and international lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, intersex, and queer community in this , which aims to honor and promote the culture and respect for sexual diversity.
The Costa Sur Resort & Spa in P.V., a member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, marked the news of the legalization by offering free wedding packages. Couples who make a booking of 10 rooms or more for a minimum of two nights will receive a complimentary wedding banquet, centerpieces and four hours of open bar. On the night of the wedding, the couple’s room will be decorated, and the couple will be treated to complimentary chocolate-dipped strawberries and sparkling white wine. Prices for the package start at $135 per person, per night, all-inclusive, based on double occupancy.
“Puerto Vallarta has over 22,000 hotel rooms with more than half of those in 5- and 4-star hotels, including the Pacific Coast’s first [AAA] 5 Diamond property, the Hotel Mousai,” a spokesperson said. “The destination’s downtown, where Puerto Vallarta’s ‘gayborhood,’ the Zona Romantica, is located, is home to over 70 businesses targeting the LGBT consumer. The past six months has seen the zone increase its infrastructure with the opening of three new hotels — Casa Kimberly, Garlands Del Rio and Almar Resort Luxury All Suites & Spa — which are all LGBT-friendly.”
For a full list of hotels, resorts and activities in Mexico that are LGBT-friendly, visit the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association at www.iglta.org.
CALL AND BOOK WITH DAVE @ DONAVAN TRAVEL! 1-800-942-1280
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!
Puerto Vallarta Free Trip Contest
The start of winter in Puerto Vallarta is cause for celebration as December marks the beginning of the whale watching season, traditional pilgrimages in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, free daily guided Artwalks in historic downtown, culinary treats all around town, the International Pro Am golf tournament, the release of baby sea turtles, perfect weather with temperatures in the low 80’s and a calendar full of holiday festivities and free activities.
The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board is inviting everyone to join in the celebration with the launch of a mega “12 DAYS OF WINTER” (#12DaysOfWinter) promotion and participate for a chance to win daily prizes during the first 12 days of December, including artworks, bottles of tequila and raicilla and trip getaways, with the top prize being a 12-day all-expense paid vacation for two in Puerto Vallarta.
To participate register at visitpuertovallarta.com/12daysofwinter and tell the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board what you would do on a 12-day all-expense paid holiday for two in the destination. All registrants will have a chance to win one of 12 prizes. Drawings will take place every day from December 1st to 12th. Following are the details of the prizes that will be awarded:
Winners of the getaway prizes to be awarded between December 5th through 12th will also receive a choice of 2 activities in Puerto Vallarta courtesy of Vallarta Adventures and Dolphin Discovery.
ENTER!
Costa Sur Resort & Spa Gay Wedding Deal
PLOOKING FOR A DESTINATION WEDDING?
COSTA SUR RESORT & SPA WILL PAY FOR IT!
Puerto Vallarta’s Popular Wedding Resort Splurges on Guests with Free Wedding with Booking
Costa Sur Resort & Spa has launched its “All Inclusive Free Wedding Package” giving away most elements of a wedding with a 10 room booking.
Located in Mexico’s Pacific Coast destination of Puerto Vallarta, is one of the destination’s most popular wedding resorts, already hosting hundreds of weddings year-round, including over 200 LGBT ceremonies.
The property has a full in-house wedding staff and able to provide not only a secluded beach-front wedding but all the amenities needed for a world-class wedding.
The hotel’s wedding package promotion is based on a 10 room booking for a minimum of 2 nights; Costa Sur will give the happy couple a complimentary wedding banquet, Costa Sur Resort & Spa special table setting with round tables and Tiffany chairs and 4 hours of open bar, including a sparkling wine toast.
In addition, the couple will also receive 2 Nights All Inclusive complimentary accommodations, Upgrade to suite and a full wedding coordinator for any additional needs.
On the night of the wedding, the couple’s room will be decorated with the resort’s signature romantic setting rich with chocolate dipped strawberries and sparkling white wine.
Puerto Vallarta has the sun, the beach, and the beautiful blue ocean year round. It’s the perfect mix with plenty of romantic beachfront backdrops, as well as a very fun, charming local Mexican village, just 10 minutes from the resort.
For reservations please visit www.costasurpuertovallarta.com
