Puerto Vallarta is a temptress to be captured on canvas, film and in the written word. Her allure has resulted in a thriving arts community and has given rise to a rich local arts scene.

Perhaps it is Vallarta's veritable heritage as a Mexican "pueblo" that it seems to offer so much more of this country's artistic and cultural offerings than other Mexican resorts. This destination has grown from an existing village with a history of over 100 years. Puerto Vallarta is the resort people visit in Mexico, when they want to feel as if they've been to Mexico.

This history translates into a greater number of cultural offerings for visitors who want to survey the Mexican art scene. Vallarta boasts a number of excellent galleries that feature local, regional and national talents. During the winter months, openings are held with regularity, featuring receptions and opportunities to meet Latin American artists while taking in their work.

Galer'a Uno (Morelos 561, Downtown; Phone (322) 222 0908) is the grand dame of Vallarta galleries, now in its 25th year and set in a beautiful old adobe home in the center of town. Owner Jan Lavender has expanded her reach to the Marina Vallarta area with gallery Arte de Las Americas (Marina las Palmas II #15-16 Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta. Tel. (322) 221 1985), featuring an outstanding selection of Mexican contemporary art.

Galer'a Pac'fico has earned an honored reputation over the past ten years as an exceptional showcase of Latin American art and sculpture. In its new location on Aldama street, just up from the malecon's new "fantasy" sculptures, it boasts an impressive collection of works by local and regional artists, many of whom have gone on to achieve international acclaim. They also offer very popular Artist Studio Tours, each Monday during winter months.
Just off the central plaza downtown you'll find Galer'a Rosas Blancas Juarez 523 , Downtown Puerto Vallarta; Phone: (322) 222 1168 selective offering of contemporary art from regional artists and some Mexican masters. The new Galer'a AL (Arte Latino Americano) brings together a collection of exquisite contemporary works by upcoming regional artists in a beautifully renovated home in the heart of downtown. Galer'a-Museo Manuel Lepe, located on Juarez street, features the work of this noted Vallarta artist, who gained world recognition for his unique style featuring angles and children in local settings.

Both awareness and interest are increasing in the art of the Huichol Indians, who live in the Sierra Madre mountains just outside Vallarta. This indigenous culture is one of the last remaining in the world to remain true to their native customs, culture and language, and only interact with the outside world when they come to town to trade. Huichol Indians generally create their art from spiritual ceremonies, with the work drawing from the dreams or visions of the artist. The colors are vibrant and a clear symbolism exists in much of the work. This art, plus ceremonial gourds and even a museum-style replica of a Huichol home can be seen at the Huichol Collection, along Vallarta's Malecon. Caban, at 400 Calle Aquilles Serdan, also features original Huichol art, and the Huichols themselves are frequently seen here.

Galer'a Olinala, at 274 Lazaro Cardenas Tlf: 222-7995, is a treasure chest of authentic art masks by Mexican Indians, plus contemporary works by gallery owner/artist Brewster Brockman. Established in 1978, Olinala has earned a following among collectors of primitive art, masks and ceremonial sculptures.
Galer'a de Ollas, dedicated to displaying and selling the works of the finest Mata Ortiz potters. Morelos 101, Local 3B - Paradise Plaza Local J12 (second floor) Nuevo Vallarta Tlf: (329) 71200
If you'd rather create your own work of art the Vallarta Centro Cultural offers classes in watercolors, sketching, silk painting and pottery. They're located on the eastern end of Rio Cuale Island.
Further down the island is Vallarta's Regional Museum of Anthropology, showcasing a small but important collection of pre-Columbian artifacts and special expositions. Admission is free and English-language tours are hosted daily at 1:00 p.m.

With an abundance of light and color, as well as captivating settings greeting you at every turn, it's no wonder Puerto Vallarta has become a muse to so many.
As we stated earlier, Puerto Vallarta offers the best selection of Huichol art in México. Descendants of Aztecs, the Huichol Indians are one of the last remaining indigenous cultures in the world that has remained true to its ancient traditions, customs, language and habits. Today, the Huichol live in adobe structures in the high Sierras north and east of Puerto Vallarta. Their art is highly sought after by serious collectors. Note: Art is duty free back into the United States.

Art Galleries

Art V Galer'a
Libertad 278 Tel. 22 2 04 00
Mon. - Sat.: 10:30am - 8:00pm
Arte de Las Américas Marina Vallarta. This delighfully sophisticated gallery offers works by México’s most celebrated masters as well as that of young emerging artists.
Galer'a Arte Latinoamericano downtown. Specializes in Mexican contemporary art with works by local artists including Marta Gilbert and Fernando Sánchez as well as artists from throughout México like Jose Luis Corral.
Address: Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez No. 155
Tel. 222-4406
Mon. - Sat.: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Galer'a Arte Popular Mexicano
Address: Libertad 285 Te. 22 2 69 60
Mon. - Sat.: 10:00 am - 2:00pm & 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Galer'a Café Des Artistes downtown (across the street from the restaurant of the same name). This collection ranges from small decorative items to masterpieces by some of México’s all-time masters such as Rivera, Orozco and Coronel.
Address: Leona Vicario 248
Tel. 22 3 00 06
Galer'a Dante downtown. Features an eclectic blend of sculptors from all over México in classical and contemporary styles.
Galer'as de Ollas downtown. This gallery is dedicated to displaying and selling the works of the finest Mata Ortiz potters.
Address: Morelos 101- 3b
Tel. 22 3 10 45
Mon. - Sat: 10:00am - 3:00pm & 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Galer'a EM Marina Vallarta. Custom-made stained glass specialties by artisans Estela Herrera and Mariano Pérez.
Galer'a Omar Alonso
Leona Vicario 249 Tel. 222-5587
Galer'a Pac'fico downtown on the Malecón. Permanent displays of some of Latin America’s finest artists. Includes contemporary art and sculpture, oils and lithographs. Gift shop has posters, art books and miniatures. Owner Gary Thompson specializes in selling art as an investment. Tel 222-1982.
Galer'a Piramide downtown. Exquisite hand-carved and beaded Huichol art, pre-Columbian reproductions, masks and paintings by local artists.
Galer'a Rosas Blancas downtown in one Puerto Vallarta’s most beautiful adobe buildings. Works by Mexican and local artists, promoting young talents and showing the most recent works of renowned sculptors and painters.
Address: Juarez 523
Tel. 22 2 11 68
Mon. - Sat: 9:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Galer'a Uno A prestigious downtown gallery in a lovely old home. Paintings, graphics, sculpture and posters from all over México by many famous artists including Colunga, Felguérez, Tamayo, Raymundo González and Conrado Dom'nguez
Address: Morelos 561
Tel. 22 2 09 08
Mon. - Sat: 10:00am - 8:00pm
Galer'a Vallarta
Address: Juarez 263
Tel. 22 2 02 90
Mon. - Sat.: 10:00am - 8:00pm
E-mail
Judith Ewing Morlan Contemporary Art
Address: Miramar 237
Tel. 223-2179
Wed. - Sat.: 10:00am 2:00pm & 4:00pm 8:00pm