| Puerto Vallarta Public Library Supported by Malecon Sculpture Tours Jimmie Ellis - Galeria Pacifico | |
December 10, 2013 |
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Spend a pleasant morning walking Puerto Vallarta's Malecon while learning about the many bronze sculptures located along the waterfront. This is the eighth year for this free tour which will continue until the middle of April, 2014.
Every Tuesday morning at 9:30 am, no reservations are necessary and one must only show up at the Millennium sculpture next to the Hotel Rosita at the north end of the Malecon.
The tour was created by and is guided by Galeria Pacifico`s owner, Gary Thompson, who has 34 years experience in the Vallarta art scene and who knows personally many of the artists who created the sculptures on the tour. This includes Mathis Lidice, the nom d`plum of Fernando Baños, who created and talks about the first sculpture on the tour, Millennium. At this sculpture chairs are provided by Marcelo Alcaraz, manager of the Hotel Rosita, and free handouts with information on the sculptures are made available by Sandra Cesca of Learn Vallarta.
Other information sheets about the Huichol Indians and their artistic symbols that have been recreated in pebbles in the pavement of the new Malecon are provided by Kevin Simpson of the Peyote People and Colectika Galleries. He also walks along during the first half of the tour explaining each symbol encountered along the way.
Fascinating stories by tour guide Gary Thompson of Galeria Pacifico make for a fun and lively presentation. Most of these sculptures have been privately funded and have taken from one to three years to complete from conception to installation.
Although the tour lasts around two hours in total, Thompson looks for opportunities for people to sit in the shade near each sculpture whenever possible.
The tour ends at Galeria Pacifico's second floor location at 174 Aldama Street in Downtown Vallarta. Guests are given complimentary beverages and the opportunity to meet and talk to Jim Demetro, the artist who created the "Dancers of Vallarta" sculpture on the extension of the Malecon and the "Woman Washing Clothes" in front of the Molino de Agua Condominiums. Jim talks about his creations and shows the commemorative edition for the new sculpture, "Andale Bernardo" also known as the "Donkey Project," that he is preparing to donate to Puerto Vallarta.
Although the tour is free, a no pressure opportunity is given to make a donation to Vallarta`s Biblioteca Los Mangos public library, an institution also serving as a community center but receiving absolutely no funding from any branch of the government, and thus heavily dependant on donations and other fund raising efforts.
More information on the tour may be obtained at Galeria Pacifico, by calling (322) 222-1982 or by visiting the gallery from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday.
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From the Bay & Beyond
Celebrate a Healthy Lifestyle
From activities like hiking, swimming, bike riding and yoga, to restaurants offering healthy menus, Vallarta-Nayarit is the ideal place to continue - or start - your healthy lifestyle routine.
Banderas Bay offers 34 miles of incomparable coastline in the states of Jalisco and Nayarit, and home to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit's many great destinations.